New Church Life Nov/Dec 2014 | Page 34

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. 524