GOD
HAS GIVEN HIM A NAME
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Missionary-Evangelist Esther Thornton ---
Phil. 2:9-11 “Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things
in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus did not seek a
name for Himself; God has given Him the name, which is above every name. If He
bent His knees in service to others; God has decreed that every knee should bow
to Him.
What is the lesson
in this for the Philippians and for us? The lesson is that the way up is down.
We should not exalt ourselves but have a servant’s heart, and God will exalt us
in due time.
“The name which is
above every name” - He has supremacy in the universe and dominion over all. God
was so satisfied with the redemptive work of Jesus that He decreed that every
knee should bow to Him. Those who refuse to bow in this life, will
someday bow before Him, but will still be eternally lost.
Because of the
wonderful grace of God, Jesus journeyed from Heaven to Bethlehem; to
Gethsemane; and to Calvary. Jesus of Nazareth is indeed “the Lord of Glory”!
Titus 2:11-1) “For the grace of
God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.”
I want to share a
Christmas story with you about a father and a son………
A Father's Love
Author Unknown
Years ago, there was a
very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art
collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art
treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and
many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man
looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art
collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to
beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
As winter approached,
war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After
only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was
missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he
would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed; the young
man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely,
the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The
joy of the season, that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit
his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a
knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the
masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming
home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package
in his hands. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend
of your son's. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a
few moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the
soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone of his, not to mention his
father's, love of fine art.
"I am an
artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the
old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the
man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the
painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with
emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the
fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set
about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing
aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in
his chair and spent Christmas
gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and
weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer
with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He
would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a
bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry
continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease his
grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far
eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world
clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring,
the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation, that
with the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be
sold at auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works
would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid
on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled
this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim, “I have the greatest
collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s
list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening
bid, but the room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked.
Minutes passed, and no one spoke. From the back of the room came a voice, “Who
cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son.” “Let’s forget about
it and move on to the good stuff,” more voices echoed in agreement. “No, we
have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the
son?” Finally, a neighbor of the old man spoke, “Will you take ten dollars for
the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.” “I
have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called auctioneer. After more
silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice, gone.” The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and
bid on the real treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced
that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up
and asked, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of
some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of
dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is going on!” The
auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father,
whoever takes the son…gets it all.”
Puts things into
perspective, doesn’t it? Just as those art collectors discovered on Christmas
Day, the message is still the same; the love of a Father, whose greatest joy
came from his Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because
of that Father’s love, whoever takes the Son gets it all.
May you be blessed,
Esther
