The Name Of Jesus

THE NAME OF JESUS!

"Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them, Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is ’the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." Acts 4: 8-12

The name of Jesus has been a flashpoint for the last two thousand years. From the day Jesus died on the cross for the sins of every human being, the name of Jesus has become the dividing line between people. For those who love Him, it stirs unrivaled depths of passionate love and holy awe. For others, it can unleash unsurpassed hated and venomous bile.

This should be no surprise to us, because every demon from hell hates that name. They know what happened to them at the cross. They know their final destiny is sealed. They know what’s in store for them. If they could they would undo what they did at Calvary!

"Rather, we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 1Cor 2:7-8

Satan shot himself in the foot when he orchestrated the crucifixtion of Jesus. His hatred of the name of Jesus knows no limits. His hatred of any committed, dedicated follower of Jesus knows no limits.

Franklin Graham, the son of famed-preacher Billy Graham has created widespread firestorms for his use of the name Jesus in public prayers at the 2001 Presidential Inauguration and the 1999 Columbine Memorial service. As long as preachers pray to a generic God, or to Buddha, or Mohammed, or to Goddess Gaia - no problem.

But if you let the name of Jesus out of your mouth in prayer - standby! The politically correct tolerance police led by The New York Times, will be on your case in a flash. Isn’t it funny how those who demand tolerance for every sexual aberration that comes down the pike, have zero tolerance for the name of Jesus. It’s easy to discern what is ultimately behind that hatred.

Chuck Colson recently wrote that "ABC officials recently chose to bleep out the word "Jesus" on the West Coast broadcast of its morning talk show, "The View." The daily show is hosted by Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Lisa Ling and Joy Behar, who commented on a broadcast on her successful weight-loss program. She exclaimed, "Yes, and thank you, thank you, Jesus, is all I have to say!"

Many cable networks have adopted policies in which the name of Jesus is habitually blasphemed. The Lord’s name is uttered countless times, and not in reverential terms. Watch a movie on any number of cable networks and you will frequently hear the name of Jesus Christ blasphemed and reviled."

The Church itself can be hesitant to lift up the name of Jesus. A subcommittee of the US bishops’ conference has approved a statement saying "campaigns that target Jews for conversion to Christianity are no longer theologically acceptable in the Catholic Church." The August 12, 2002 statement was entitled "Reflections on Covenant and Mission" and went on to say: "Thus, while the Catholic Church regards the saving act of Christ as central to the process of human salvation for all, it also acknowledges that Jews already dwell in a saving covenant with God."

If we buy this we are telling Jesus He made an awful, unnecessary mistake dying on that cross. He also didn’t know what He was talking about.

"And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Mt 15:22-25

Saint Peter is probably choking on this document also. This is what he said on the first Pentecost.

"Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?" Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:36-39