As we know from the scriptures, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) We also know that prior to Jesus laying down His life for our transgressions, He spoke to His disciples privately (Judas having already left) saying, "Believe thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwells in Me. He does the works." (John 14:10)
Herein, Jesus was responding to Philip's question -- "Lord, shew us the Father and it suffices us." Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father. And how say thou then, "Shew us the Father?" (John 14:4-9)
Jesus also said, "Believe Me that I [am] in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the very works sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you -- He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] that these shall He do, because I go unto My Father, and whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it. if ye love Me, keep My commandments, and I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever. [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, neither knows Him but ye know Him for He dwells with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." (John 14:11-18)
Why is Jesus saying these things to His disciples? Because He knew that His time on earth was coming to a close. To that end, it was necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with the shedding of blood because without the shedding of blood there was to be no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22-24)
The only remedial atoning blood was that Holy undefiled blood of the Holy Ghost that was sacrificed freely, and yet, with agonizing torture, administered by the hands of fallen, unbelieving and religious fanatics of that time. In their ignorance, and intent on crucifying the Lord of glory, the judicial system, at the conclusion of their proceeding had issued a verdict that stated, "I find no fault in Him." (Luke 23:3-16; John 19:4-6)
The scriptures show that the presiding judge proceeds to wash his hands of the situation -- as if soap and water were capable of removing him from any awareness of conscious guilt. In so doing, he passed his authoritative power into the hands of a premeditative murderous multitude, who were more than willing to rid the earth of the King of kings and Lord of lords. As a consequence, we see firsthand their religion exposed and their yokes of bondage revealed. Being imposed by religious leaders upon men, the so-called shepherds feeding themselves, not caring for the sheep.
"And the Word of the LORD came unto me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; "Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: [but] ye feed not the flock.
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered." (Ezekiel 34:1-5)
Today, the so-called shepherds, responsible for administering the good news gospel of Jesus Christ are fleecing the flock. Unfortunately, many of the sheep seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are being milked into poverty. That is the reason the Lord Himself carries us into His sheepfold. We were totally lost, and how but He -- the Lord of glory loved us enough to come forth a mighty man, so that we could receive His gift of eternal life. (Isaiah 42:13)
(The Lord Jesus gave us a viable option to the question -- How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? -- but I digress).
This salvation, being purchased not with silver or gold, but rather by one who is called the Lamb of God, whose innocent blood poured forth from the veins of the Holy Ghost on earth. In this case, the earth being the womb of mankind. This redemptive blood is the remedy for all sin, offered freely to everyone, including those sinning wilfully in ignorance.
It is for this reason that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The "whosoever" can receive redemption and eternal life right here and right now.
What is His name? The name of JESUS. You will recall that the angel declared to Joseph that the child’s name was to be JESUS ... Emmanuel being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
"For He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
The Name of JESUS is above every other name in heaven and on earth (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) Many descriptive title names have been advanced as if they were actual names. Such is not the case, because the are not names but rather descriptive titles. In this context, it does not matter how beautifully rendered they may be, they are still not names.
Jacob of old wrestled all night with an angel. In so doing, Jacob was determined to obtain the angel's name. He stated, "I will not let you go until you bless me. Tell me your name." If one is desirous to be blessed from the top of your head to the soles of your feet, I urge you to embrace the name of Jesus. Your heart will burn within you as He talks to you and guides you into the path of righteousness.
This is the message that Peter (standing with the eleven) was delivering on the day of Pentecost. That is, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)
The Lord of Glory's name is Jesus! He introduced Himself as being Jesus. The early believers went everywhere preaching Jesus. Unlike today. where YHWH with its inserted vowels are advanced as being God’s so called name, whereas in fact it is nothing other than the incommunicable name of a Hebrew God. If it be incommunicable, then why are so many running everywhere endeavouring to communicate that which is inconceivable.
I can tell you. Just like in the day when the apostles were commanded not to preach in the name of the Lord Jesus, we have those self-declared authorities doing the very same thing today. Any name but Jesus!
Still, there is only one name that is above every other name, and that name is JESUS. He is the only name that can forgive your sins. JESUS said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
And if there is any doubt, please re-read Philippians 2:9-11: "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."
Peace be in Jesus name. Stand in the offering plate.
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