Obedient To The Point Of Death
Let the same mind be in you that was
in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality
with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in
human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even
death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name
that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If you knew for certain that you were
going to lose your voice and that you would never be
able to speak again, what would your final words be? A man with throat cancer
faced an operation that would save his life but not his voice. Just before
surgery, he spent time with his wife telling her of his love. He did the same
with his daughter.
He then asked his doctor to let him
know precisely when the anesthetic would make him unconscious. As the man was
slipping off to sleep, he said distinctly, “Jesus! Jesus!” That was the last
word he chose to utter in this life.
How meaningful is the name of Jesus to
us? Other names, like the names of those we love, are inexpressibly precious.
But for those of us who are redeemed by God’s grace, the name of Jesus is the
most meaningful. And it is to our heavenly Father as well.
Throughout the rest of our lives and
into eternity, let’s magnify that wonderful name.
The name of Jesus is precious to those
who know Him and profane to those who spurn Him.
Our Daily
Bread –