new church life: november/december 2014
the Reformation and faith alone being
received as the sole means of salvation,
people looked to the Father instead
of Jesus, and further lost sight of His
Divinity.
With this false notion about Jesus,
instead of seeing Jehovah in Him, as was
intended by that name, people could
only see human limitations. They saw a
simple man with high ideals, but with
little material success. And so the real
purpose for His selecting that name, to
inform all that He came to save people
from their sins, was obscured.
With a new revelation it is now
possible for us to fully appreciate what
He intended. It is now possible for us to
make use of the name “Jesus” to remind us of why He was born on earth – that
He was the Divine made flesh, Jesus, our God and Lord.
Yet we have little used the name “Jesus.” Perhaps this is not too surprising,
for the teachings of the New Church constantly refer to Him as “Lord.” In the
first few pages of the very first book of the New Church, Arcana Coelestia, we
read: “In the following work, by the name LORD is meant the Savior of the
world, Jesus Christ, and Him only; and He is called ‘the Lord’ without addition
of other names.” (No. 14) Jesus Himself also suggested the name “Lord:” “You
call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for I am.” (John 13:13)
But even as we rightly say “Lord,” we should not forget to use “Jesus”
also. It directs our thoughts to the Divine nature of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It
reminds us that He was not born as others, but of a virgin and with a Divine
Soul. On earth He endured and overcame all evils, glorifying Himself so that
we could see Him, love Him, and be saved by Him. For this, His name “Jesus”
is to be treated with respect.
We are taught that “the name of Jesus is in like manner holy is known from
the saying of the Apostle that at this name every knee is bowed or should be
bowed in heaven and on earth...” (True Christian Religion 297) And that no
devil in hell can even pronounce the name! (Ibid.)
It is thus so unfortunate and harmful to hear the name “Jesus” used
casually or in swearing by so many people today. Think of the harm done by
the hells through this – inspiring people to be so insensitive, so callous, that
the name then loses all meaning. Consider what the name could mean! The
Divinity of the Lord made flesh, dwelling among us, saving us from our sins.
But even as we rightly
say “Lord,” we should
not forget to also use
“Jesus.” It directs our
thoughts to the Divine
nature of Jesus Christ,
our Lord. It reminds us
that He was not born as
others, but of a virgin
and with a Divine Soul.
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