The Name of Jesus

She will give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the

name Jesus, because he will

save his people from their sins.

             Matthew 1:21  NIV

The name Jesus means “The LORD Saves,” but those who have known Him over time recognize that He does much more. Over my fifty-seven years of walking with Jesus, I have encountered Him in a myriad of circumstances.

I remember standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, awestruck by the majesty of God and breaking out in song. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name.” I recognized the truth of John 1:3 spread out before me in a beautiful display as ever-changing shadows danced across the canyon’s surface; knowing “Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Jesus!

I remember standing by my son’s crib after the doctor said, “He will need surgery to correct his severely bowed legs.” Placing my hands on his tiny legs and whispering the name of Jesus, I asked for mercy and healing. “For he had healed many…” (Mark 3:10) Healing happened. Surgery did not. Jesus!

I remember sitting alone at the foot of my dying father’s bed; turning the pages of my Bible. Hoping for answers. Whispering Jesus. John 14:27 found me, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…” Jesus!

Over the decades, I have found these things to be true:

            Speak the name of Jesus, and the storms cease as the dark clouds open to allow the Son to shine through.

            Speak the name of Jesus, and my troubled heart calms as the raging battles of life swirl around me like a whirlpool trying to suck me in.

            Speak the name of Jesus, and bitterness, fear, and anger crack, break, and fall away as the warmth of His Presence covers me.

            Speak the name of Jesus, and the peace that passes all understanding calms my troubled soul.

            Today, I invite you to join me in speaking His Name, the Name above all Names, Emmanuel. God with Us. Prince of Peace. The Bread of Life. The Spring of Living Water. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

© Joyce Powell