A Category 5 hurricane can produce high winds of more than 155 miles per hour causing widespread upheaval and destruction. The intense hammering rains that accompany the high catastrophic winds can turn land that was once dry and passable into a roaring river that submerges homes and roadways. Then, when it’s all over, there is the aftermath that is so terribly devastating. But there is one thing that is certain. The sun will shine again, break through the clouds and present a new day that offers hope and restoration. When storms emerge in our lives, there is a name that is the sweetest name I know that offers this same hope and restoration. That is the name of Jesus. When I think of his name, when I speak his name or when I sing his name, there is hope, peace and comfort that even the hardest-hitting winds and rains of life cannot withstand. Here are just some of the reasons why the name of Jesus is the sweetest name I know.
Jesus – The Provider of Rest for the Weary
Hurricanes in life still occur, even when you’re a Christian. But as a believer in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to worry or fight battles on our own. In John 16:33(NLT) Jesus says, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” It’s so comforting to know that Jesus knows my future and that nothing is impossible for him to handle. He provides rest for the weary. Jesus gives us this confidence in Matthew 11:28-30 when he says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” In this verse of scripture, Jesus is giving an invitation to follow him, trust in him and enter into his rest from weariness. It is also an invitation to rest in him alone for salvation. It reminds me that Jesus, the sweetest name I know, cares so much for me. He is trustworthy and will always stand on his promises.
Jesus – The Bread of Life
Bread is a staple food in so many cultures. Bread is also referenced many places in the Bible. God provided manna to the Israelites as they traveled through the desert. Jesus fed a great multitude of people with five loaves of bread and two fishes. The bread that is made with human hands, will eventually lose its freshness and will become moldy and inedible. Ultimately, it only fills our physical appetites temporarily and eventually we are hungry again. In John 6:27 Jesus says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then, in John 6:35, Jesus made the declaration, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus, the sweetest name I know is the Bread of Life that is the eternal nourishment and the salvation for our souls that comes with the Father’s seal of approval validating that eternal life in Jesus Christ does not corrode or waste away but is everlasting and unending.
Jesus – The Vine
Blackberries, grapes and melons are some examples of fruit that grows from a vine. The vine produces strong branches in which the fruit grows on. But without the vine, there are no branches that can produce fruit. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” In times when I think I can function in my own strength Jesus, the sweetest name I know reminds me that I need him for everything and that through him I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Like a vine, Jesus is my strength and sustenance that I depend upon to produce spiritual fruit for his glory.
Jesus – The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother
Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” One of my favorite hymns is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, written by Joseph Scriven. My favorite part of this hymn is “Oh what peace we often forfeit… Oh, what needless pains we bear… All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Scriven experienced much devastation in his life. His hopes of marrying the love of his life tragically vanished when his finance drowned the day before they were to be married. He was depressed for many years about this very tragic event. He began to fully rely on Jesus and was inspired to write this hymn. There are wonderful people that God has placed in my life that I consider to be very close friends. I believe that they will be there for me as much as humanly possible. But people have their limitations. Jesus, the sweetest name I know has no limits in his relationship with us. He will walk with me through the fire and I will not be burned. When I walk through the rivers, he will not allow them to sweep over me (Isaiah 43:2). He loves me unconditionally. My friend who sticks closer than a brother not only comforts me, but also willingly laid his life down for me. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Amazing love!
Jesus – My Lord and my God
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). When we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we surrender our will to him and submit to his lordship over our lives. Jesus, the sweetest name I know reminds me that I can fully trust him as the Lord of my life. He has never left or forsaken me (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is not only my Lord, but also my God. He is Almighty God (Revelation 1:8) and he has great and wonderful plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11-12).
Jesus – The Way, The Truth and The Life
In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the only way because only he could atone for our sins and is the only way for us to have a relationship with the Father (1 Timothy 2:5 and Acts 4:12). Jesus is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). Jesus is the life! In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Jesus – Our Soon Coming King
Have you ever waited with great anticipation to be reunited with family or friends that you haven’t seen in a long time? How about a bride waiting for her wedding day to be united with her groom as husband and wife? Preparations are made to celebrate the festive occasion. In Revelation 22:12-13, Jesus reminds us that he is coming back soon. And so we, his bride eagerly awaits the return of the Bridegroom, Jesus and for the great wedding supper of the Lamb. Jesus, the sweetest name I know is preparing a place for me. He will come back for me and all who have place their faith and trust in him and will take us to be with him forever in Heaven. Jesus has commanded us to share the Gospel, so that those who don’t know him can also experience this eternal life and be with him forever in Heaven.
These are just some of the reasons why Jesus is the sweetest name I know. There are many wonderful names to describe all of his wonderful attributes. I encourage you to think about why his name is so sweet and wonderful to you. Also, feel free to share a comment here about why you love the name of Jesus.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98kXnCXlOec
Thank you for sharing this.
Grace and Mercy
Amen and amen. Oh, Sandy, this was a truly inspired word! Thank you for being a willing vessel and for your service.
Wonderful narrative about the name of our Lord Jesus! Nothing compares to the power of his word or his name. Sharper than any two-edged sword and name above all names. Jesus is the Lily in my valley, right now. It was just what I needed to read and dwell upon this evening. Thanks, Sandy. I am encouraged!
I remember as a child watching Zoro and Superman on television. They seemed so real and comforting. I wanted them to “rescue” me. Now, I have a real Deliverer who is mightier than any! Jesus is Lord!!!
Thanks,Sandy, for sharing and reminding. We are indeed more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.
How about that video… what a worship experience.
I love how God can be called all these things. Its just amazing to know that God is so prefect and can handle doing all these things own his own. He will never fails us not even one mishap. He lives and has shown each one of use in our own personal lifes that he is there and his grace abounds for us forever. Yes this is such a sweet reminder and its like a touch on the shoulder lightly. That he will confort us as we again trust and give it over to him. He wants all of us in that place of Joy, Peace, and a sound mind. So that we might be still and listen and obey at the point of time when he moves in our lifes. He loves us all and sometimes I found in my life that I have adnored my gental God, been mad and confuesed. In all that he just wanted me to trust him and let go of my fears. He has been and will allways be my best friend and my present hope in time of need. When in my time of hardship he has reminded me even today that he is God and I can trust in him at all times. He is my Strengh that I can take on another day. Its funny that its true if we all would let go of our anxienties of life to God he would just replace it with his Word that is like rest, food, medician, assurance…..it would keep us more level. God has done amazing things and he is there through the seasons regradless. That’s why I praise him and humbly thank him for loving me anyways… To God be all the glory 🙂
Why I Love Jesus
Wheretoyou begin. When Istop and reflect at different times a smilebegins to cometo my face. Irealizethe changethat has taken place sinceFebruary 1982 when I said yes to thelovethat Christ offered. Thefirst few years were a little difficult but the moretimeI spent asking questions of Him themorethedesire to know Him grew. Thehungerthat developed becamestronger each day. The understanding He helped mechangethe direction I was heading and allowed meto see thebeauty ofmy desiretosubmit. Even during thedifficult times there is hope Ihavebeen abletofind when I trust in His word. Psalms 23and 27 arejust two examples. Knowing He will never leave or forsakeand that if Heis formewho can beagainst from thebookRomans helps to calm thefears. I havegained a better understanding about theweapons of warfarein Ephesians 6. Itis tough going through but you begin to look atlife differently each day you spend in His presence. How could I notloveHim. Hehas changed my life and I am grateful.