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His
Name is Higher
By
Pastor Jack Hayford
Each Palm Sunday
we are ushered back in time to recollect the first time a crowd
rose to declare, "JESUS is the CHRIST!"
That's
what the stir is about. When the people shouted, "Hosanna
to the Son of David!" it
meant one thing: This man is the King—The Messiah—the
Christ! Jesus of Nazareth is the
King
above all.
I heard the
words "Jesus Christ" uttered several times the other day,
but not once were they consistent with the spirit of the Palm Sunday
utterances. "GEE-zuz KRIst!" they all said. They meant
"Jesus Christ," but from blasphemous lips the name comes
out as venom--frozen hatred, anger, or irritation.
We're surrounded
by this violation of our Lord's glory and worthiness. It isn't simply
a matter of porno literature or X-rated movies, barrooms and brothels,
and foul-mouthed mechanics. Jesus is profaned in PG-rated films,
in best-selling novels, by the ladylike secretary at the next desk,
by the high school honor student next door.
I was tired
of wincing. And yet I said nothing. It wasn't a matter of cowardice,
I simply lacked conviction that words of correction would accomplish
anything worthwhile. In fact, I often wonder if the blasphemer even
hears himself.
Sitting in
my room, alone, I struggled in prayer: Lord, I hurt
over this hateful habit that pervades my culture. I
hurt for these people who mindlessly, ignorantly speak
Your name in hate, anger, and frustration. Help me think,
Lord. Help me understand. . .and help me love aright,
as You do—in spite of the blasphemy.
He answered
me. With two deep impressions upon my soul.
The first:
I suddenly saw that in a strange, reversed way, the blasphemy was
a kind of self-incriminating acknowledgement of the majesty of Jesus'
person. Nobody appealed to any other name to register their
angered wish that whatever was grating them would be different.
No one spoke the name of any of the founders of the world's religions.
No none snarled out the name of Mohammed, Buddha, or Joseph Smith.
No one cursed the name of a relative. No one indicted the government.
Why? Because
the basic purpose for the blasphemy is to register discontent with
some frustrating fact, actually damning its presence. And if one
is to do that, one must appeal to an authority who is adequate to
overwhelm any fact on earth.
I know that
none of those who were misusing our Lord's name were
analyzing this, but the fact remains. Jesus Christ's
name is spit out as an epithet a billion times a day,
but the day will come when God almighty will catch the
blasphemer by the words of his or her own lips. "You
appealed to My Son's authority ten thousand times in
your lifetime—but not once did you acknowledge
His rule in your heart."
The other impression
was simply this: Since the world around is so bold to profane His
name, let us be at least as bold to praise it.
He is the Lord—JESUS
CHRIST! |
Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233