Offered Through the Eternal Spirit
By William Covert
It is written that Christ “through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God.” Heb. 9: 14. In this statement is wrapped up the thought, that the eternal Spirit was the chief medium of His mighty power, and the agency of all that pertained to His sacrificial offering. And these propositions are verified by the history that has been made in His birth, His life, His death, and His living again. The entire sequel of His career, as far as it appears in the records made, shows that the power of omnipotence was directing all that was done. Speaking of the prospect and accomplishment of His human genesis, the angel of annunciation said to the virgin that was to give Him birth, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, . . . therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Read Luke 1: 26-35. And this announcement agrees with the prediction of that prophet that had said, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isa. 7: 14. The name “Immanuel,” as applied to the Child, was a symbol of the divine power He would have to deliver man from the adversary. It signified that the promised One would be possessed of Deity, and so it was interpreted as “God with us.” Matt. 1: 23. His birth is also typical of the spiritual birth for man. By incarnation, divinity can take possession of humanity, and thereby bring deliverance from the adversary. In this way we have God with us. Thus can human weakness become connected with divine strength, and by this invisible union a mighty deliverance will come. The angel that appeared to Joseph before the holy Child was born said, “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1: 21. “Jesus” was His common name among men; the name that entered into the family record, and by which He was known and called in the home where He grew up. This name appears more than six hundred times in the Gospels and the book of Acts; while in the epistles it is, if used, in most instances associated with His official title as “Jesus Christ,” the “Lord Jesus Christ.” But the angel said the name “Jesus” was to be given Him, “for He shall save His people from their sins.” “Messiah” of the Old Testament and “Christ” in the New Testament is the official appellation of the Saviour. It denotes His kingly authority and mediatorial work as associate ruler with God. David, in prediction speaking for the Lord, said: “The rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed. . . . Yet have I set My King [anointed] upon My holy hill of Zion.” Ps. 2: 2, 6. Of his position and priestly work upon the throne jointly with the Lord of Hosts the prophet Zechariah wrote, “Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord: . . . and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between Them both.” Chapter 6: 12, 13. This position and work make Him a royal priest and king. He is also called “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Rev. 19: 16); and He Himself has said, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28: 18. Yet the greatest name by which He is known is JESUS. Blessed name is this! He it is who saves, and He it is who keeps. His title as Lord and as King gives Him position and royal honors, but His blessed nature is that which makes Him dear to all. His sweet humility, His unselfish soul, His blessed gentleness, were characteristics that made Him great. “Thy gentleness hath made Me great.” Ps. 18: 35. “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 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.” No height nor depth, neither title nor fame, can ever eclipse or dim the blessed name given by the angel before His humble appearance at Bethlehem. O, that wonderful greatness of humility born! That dignified gentleness through the eternal Spirit made Him strong. Our salvation is made sure through the reception of this same blessed greatness. His name gives the believer access to God's grace and inheritance with the family of heaven. John 14: 13, 14; Eph. 3: 14, 15. It is the name in which man prays; and through this name the Father sends the eternal Spirit to comfort His children and to teach them all the lessons they should know. John 14: 26. They obtain by asking, and find by seeking. And all these things are done through the only name given under heaven whereby men can be saved; for there is salvation in no other name. Acts 4: 12.