October 17, 2004

THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME

"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9, NKJV).

This lofty title, "The Name Above Every Name," surfaces as the stunning climax to Paul's moving portrayal of Christ our exalted Lord.

In Philippians 22:9, Paul concludes his description of Christ's voluntary humiliation and His rise to the highest pinnacle of exaltation. He who came to earth as the Son of God is now exalted to the right hand of His Father with an added dimension. He is both Son of man as well as Son of God. The conqueror over sin and death is both God and man--pure, holy, and undefiled.

Throughout history, men and women have been given names as tokens of honor and recognition for their achievements--Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionhearted, and Ivan the Terrible, to mention only a few. The supreme and incomparable God-man is also given many great titles, but the greatest of them all is the "Name Above Every Name!"

What is this name that is above every name? Some insist that it is apparently and naturally the precious name, "Jesus" (see Philippians 2:10). Others argue that it is the dual name, "Jesus Christ" (see verse 11). Still others believe it's the popular apostolic title, "Lord" (see Acts 10:36). There can be no higher title, no higher position, than to be acknowledged and worshiped as "Lord of lords" (Revelation 17:14). Whatever the title may be, the great reality is that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (see Philippians 2:10). As Ellen White so aptly put it: "He ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and sat down at the right hand of God. And there was given him a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. To him God has delegated his power; he has the keys of death and the grave."--Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, January 15, 1889.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because Your name is above every name, I magnify You for Your great salvation. Amen.