The Great Name

There is a vast cemetery on the western slope of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. It is covered with concrete and sarcophagi of Jewish people who have died in anticipation of the arrival of The Messiah at the end of the age. They are buried with their feet facing the Eastern Gate of the Temple Mount. The gate has long been closed with blocks and mortar. They believe that when the Messiah descends on the Mount of Olives that they will arise and help Him through the gate. There is another cemetery of those of a rival religion that occupies a thin strip of ground along the wall of the Temple Mount and in front of the Eastern Gate. They too expect a champion of their faith at the culmination of time. They believe that they will rise up and help him over the gate. If the Apostle Paul could see this, I think he would remind us of what he wrote to the Christians at Philippi,

“…God highly exalted Him (Jesus), and gave to Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

According to the Apostle Paul, there will be great acclamation by everyone for the One who will arrive on the Mount of Olives. It will be for the King of Kings; the Messiah; the Anointed One of God, Jesus Christ. The name that every creature will shout will be Jesus, the Name that is above every name. All of those buried on Olivette and those in front of the Eastern Gate will rise and proclaim, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

The elite of Paul’s day scoffed at such prophesies made in the name of Jesus. But to Paul, the name of Jesus brought the power of God into his life. The name of Jesus brought salvation and miracles of healing to the people that he encountered every day. It was in the name of Jesus that Paul lived every day of his life after being smacked down on the Damascus Road. Paul learned the power of that name when he asked who struck him blind to the ground, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Those who follow Jesus are not deterred by the scoffing and ridicule that accompany such claims. We, like Paul, have learned of the power of the name of Jesus to transform lives and to give us hope of eternal life. That name brings us peace in our souls and healing of our spirit. Thank you, Lord, for the name that is above every other, JESUS!

George Cargill