Written and preached by David P. Nolte
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
People choose names for their children because the name simply sounds good, or because they want to honor someone, or because it is unique. Someone said that there are more than 700 names by which Jesus Christ is identified in the Scriptures. Some describe His relationship to God, some His relationship to His people, and some define His Character or Nature. But "Jesus," says Paul, is the name above all others. So, what's in that name? I want to share some insights with you today. To help understand the implications of just 3 of Jesus' Names, or titles, let me tell you about 3 year old Lissa Mines who was lost in a snow storm in Lewiston, Idaho. Jake Mullet, a neighbor, rode his horse like fury to summon neighbors to help find her. Only one, Waldo Rowan, refused to help. He had been a bitter enemy of Stephen Mines, Lissa's daddy, for over 10 years. His own wife and only daughter had died just a year ago and he had little pity for Stephen. He had his own problems. He was sick with a cold and fever, and he had to check his traps and then he planned to go home to bed. As he checked his trap line, after awhile he heard what sounded like a child's faint cry. He hesitated, listening, and then ran in the direction of the sobs. The faint voice ceased and he told himself he had imagined it. Then it came again; there was no mistaking what it was. He heard a deep sob behind him, and he realized he had passed her. But, though she was the daughter of his enemy, when he heard that cry, his heart was moved to seek and save her. Our lostness, our cry for help came to the Savior's ears and He came to seek and to save the lost. So, what's in a name? And specifically, what's in the name "Jesus?"
It was, is, and always will be, Jesus' intention to save. That became Waldo's intention, too, when he heard the little girl sobbing in the storm. He forgot his hatred of Stephen as he sought her. He called softly, crawling on his hands and knees and then stumbling over waist-high rocks, fighting his way through the snow drifts, working his way to the lost little girl. Then, he found her! And as soon as she felt herself in his arms she yielded to him and snuggled safe. She was cloaked and hooded, but ice-cold. Waldo wrapped her in his garments and carefully worked his way back home with the little girl. He laid her on the bed and got a roaring fire going. He gave her a little hot soup. Then he thought, "How'll I get word to Stephen?" and the years of bitter animosity seemed to fade. Then, there was a clamor outside. Jake looked in the window and shouted, "Stephen! She's here!" Stephen bolted into the cabin, convinced, despite Waldo's assurances, that his enemy had taken his little girl to spite him after their long quarrel. He picked her up to take her home. Waldo urged Stephen to let the girl stay in the warm cabin, but Stephen refused and took her home. Alone in the cabin, Waldo remembered his own dead daughter. He ran to his medicine chest and withdrew a bottle left from her last illness. He dressed and headed into the storm to take it to Lissa. Cold and illness weakened him and he struggled on the way. Stephen, meanwhile, had gone for the doctor only to find him gone for the day. Upon arrival home, Stephen stumbled over a snow-covered mound. It was Waldo; he had fallen unconscious in the road. Something in Stephen rose above his animosity and he carried the insensate man into his cabin. In the warmth, Waldo opened his eyes long enough to say, "I brought her something. We had it left over. Give it to her." Then he lapsed again into oblivion. Here was a man who was willing to struggle and even to suffer for the good of one who had been his enemy. Paul says that while we were enemies, God reconciled us through the death of his Son, Romans 5:10. Jesus, the Christ, was willing to suffer for us. So, what's in a name? What's in the name "Christ?"
Waldo had suffered cold and exposure to save Lissa. He fell unconscious as he tried to deliver some medicine. They thought he might not survive. But in a couple of days, Waldo opened his eyes. The illness was past. He was in a homey place and saw Stephen and Hannah there. Then a child came and stood in the doorway, looking at Waldo lying in that bed. She smiled sweetly at the man who had saved her life, and ran off to play. The neighbors all thought they owed Waldo a vote of thanks for his rescue so they brought him many gifts of love. A visiting neighbor said, "Honestly, you'll have to move out to make room for all the stuff they've brought him." Then Stephen said, "That's all right, he deserves it." Waldo lay still. The wall of hatred between him and Stephen had stood for over 10 years, but its door was open, and all enmity was gone. The men were at peace. Paul says, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1. When we realize what he has done for us, let us realize what we owe Him. Let us then bring him our gifts of love: our worship, our honor, and our obedient service, for, like Waldo, "He deserves it." What's in a name? What's in the name "Lord?"
We were lost, but Jesus came to seek and to save us. We should have suffered eternal condemnation, but Jesus suffered for us. We were rebellious and self-determined, but Jesus came to be Lord of life. You have the option of staying in a separated condition, or of being reconciled. It depends on what you do about Jesus Christ. Will you trust Him for salvation? Will you love Him for suffering for you? Will you serve Him obediently as Lord? As Waldo lifted Lissa from the snow drifts, Jesus will lift you though you have sunk in sin. He is the firm, the only sure foundation of salvation. He stands ready to save today! Are you ready? Are you willing? He is able.
Zona Gale, "The Night Of The Storm" in Great Stories Remembered, ed. Joe L. Wheeler, Focus On The Family, Colorado Springs, Co.
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