There's just something about that name...

I remember singing (or listening to my mom sing) a song that has the phrase, “Jesus… there’s just something about that name.” That was brought to my mind this evening as I was trying to quiet my heart and was listening to some worship music. There were a couple of songs that played in a row that just uttered the name of Jesus over and over… and it truly brought me to tears… there is something about THAT name! How can one name bring forth such power and awe, yet also bring forth such love and humility? It’s because that name is not just a name… it’s a man who, with the JOY set before him, endured the cross and shame for you and me (Hebrews 12:2). It’s because…

“…There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.” (--Isaiah 53)

Did you know that because of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for YOUR sins, you can be counted righteous?! Because He rose again, and is at the right hand of God's throne at this very moment interceding for anyone who believes in His name. Are you one of those people?! You can be! As we are approaching the Easter season, my prayer for you is that you meditate on the name of Jesus… that you realize who He is, and what He did… not for himself, but for YOU! There really is something about THAT NAME!