The Wonderful Name by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1912

The Wonderful Name

By J. S. Washburn

J. S. WASHBURN

"All hail the power of Jesus' name."

THERE is real, practical saving power in the name of Jesus. "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."

The name of Jesus is "above every name." Why? — Because to man, fallen and lost, all heaven and eternity would be nothing but anguish; to behold the glories of heaven would only intensify the pain of their loss. He can never have eternal life, never gain heaven, without a Saviour. To the repentant sinner the Saviour is first, above all others; and the name which is above every other name expresses the thought of Saviour.

Heaven's first principle is love. God and his angels live not for themselves, but for others. Love to the lost means with God a sacrifice to save. Hence the word Saviour expresses the highest thought of heaven. The name Saviour is above every name not only in earth but in heaven.

Jesus has many names, Michael, Christ, etc., but the name Jesus means more to us than any other name divinely given him. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins." Matt. 1: 21. Note the margin of the word Jesus,—Saviour. When I call the name Jesus, I call him Saviour, my Saviour. Satan is the destroyer, Jesus is the Saviour.

Truly when in faith and trust though it may be in deepest anguish, we call the name Jesus, Satan and all the hosts of hell must flee from our presence. How can they, whom Jesus conquered, hear without fleeing in terror the name which is truly a prayer of faith, even though only the single word Jesus be spoken?

O the power in that name, the name which is above every name, when from the heart, it may be out of the depths of darkness and ruin, it is repeated over and over, with longing faith.

"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. "It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; 'Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary, rest. "Dear name! the rock on which I build, My shield and hiding-place! My never-failing treasury, filled With boundless stores of grace!"

Truly his name is the rock on which we build. When Peter walked upon the water and, forgetting Christ for a moment, began to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" These three words are all in the one word Jesus. To the soul in anguish and distress too deep to form a prayer of many words, the Lord has given us one word, than which there is no higher prayer, no stronger appeal,—the one word Jesus, Saviour.

"Never feel that Christ is far away. He is always near, and his loving presence surrounds you. Seek him as One who desires to be found of you. He desires you not only to touch his garments, but to walk with him in constant communion."

"When temptations assail you, when care and perplexity surround you, when, depressed and discouraged, you are ready to yield to despair, look to Jesus, and the darkness that encompasses you will be dispelled by the bright shining light of his presence. When sin struggles for the mastery in your soul, and burdens the conscience, look to the Saviour. His grace is sufficient to subdue sin. Let your grateful heart, trembling with uncertainty, turn to him. Lay hold on the hope set before you. Christ waits to adopt you into his family. His strength will help your weakness; he will lead you step by step. Place your hand in his, and let him guide you.

"The souls that turn to him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues. No man nor evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites them to his own divine-human nature. They stand before the great Sin-bearer, in the light proceeding from the throne of God."

"No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, A sweeter sound than Jesus' name, The Saviour of mankind." Memphis, Tenn.