“Mary, Call Him Jesus”

A disciple once asked his mentor if there was anything he could do to help himself grow spiritually. “As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning,” he replied. When the disciple then wondered aloud what the value was of the spiritual exercises he was learning, the mentor answered: “To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise” (Ruth Barton). This reminds me of Paul’s prescription for spiritual growth: put yourself in the place where the Holy Spirit can do his work in you as you open yourself to contemplating the Lord’s glory (2 Cor. 3:18).

It is not just that Jesus is a model to follow. We “acknowledge” (1) one whose ministry needs many metaphors to describe it in all its fullness: Son, pioneer, apostle, high priest and perfect human. As we obey this instruction to contemplate who he is and seek to be like him, we also draw strength from him who is truly God.

Local Jehovah’s Witnesses, who sometimes engage me in conversation, tried to persuade me that Jesus the Son and Michael the archangel were one and the same created being. How that diminishes Jesus! He is so much more than that. His most wonderful title is Lord Jesus Christ and each one of those designations reminds us of something unique about him: Lord because he is supreme ruler of heaven and earth, exalted now, our Master because we are his disciples; Christ the anointed one, the long-expected Messiah who will set his people free and who presides over the cosmos he has created (Col. 1:16,17). Jesus, that precious human name meaning savior, given him by divine command at his birth (Luke 1:31). What name do you use in speaking of and to him? What does that say about your relationship? Many times, Hebrews calls him simply “Jesus” (Heb. 2:9; 3:1; 4:14; 5:7; 6:19,20). Do you?

Relationship with Jesus makes us members of his household. How can you value your brothers and sisters?