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INJ
“How Excellent is Thy Name”
Psalm 8
The Name of Jesus and the Circumcision of Our Lord
January 1st, 2006
Hope Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO
Dear Ryan Frederick James Shellenberger, family and friends of the Newly Baptized, to all the Saints of God,
Our Lord Jesus commanded His church, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” His name is what is doing the work in baptism, washing away sin, giving life and new birth and salvation. He puts His name on us, making us part of His family. Ryan, when you were born you were given a name by your parents, they chose to name you Ryan Frederick James, and there one more name that they didn't chose, but is your's because you are their child, Shellenberger. Because you have their name, you have a claim on them. You can expect of your parents things that no one else can expect. They will feed and take care of you, give you everything that you need. They will give you everything that they have so that you can grow, and be safe, and learn. Their lives will be yours, because you are their child, because you have their name.
Ryan, the same thing is true today, in your re-birth. The name of the most Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is put on you, and now you are a child of God. (And dear saints, this is true for you as well, for all who are baptized.) Now you can expect of God wonderful things. You have a claim on God; He will hear and answer all of your prayers. He will take care of you, give you all that you need. He gives everything that you might have life and salvation. His life will be yours, indeed Jesus' life is yours, He has given it to you in His death on the cross, and you are His brother, a son of the Father. For “behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God.” [1 John 3:1] He gives us all of this in His name.
It is absolutely wonderful to see and hear this this morning, the Lord Jesus writing His name on little Ryan as we celebrate in the church the Name of Jesus. Today is eight days after Christmas. When Jesus was eight days old He was circumcised and given His name. Ryan, this morning, is eighteen days old, ten days older than Jesus was when He was circumcised and named. This was the content of the Gospel reading from St Luke, “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise Him, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived.” [St Luke 2:21] And so the church has celebrated on the eighth day after Christmas two celebrations: the Name of Jesus and the Circumcision of our Lord. Added to this is the fact that today is the first day of the New Year. It's quite a busy morning. This morning I would like to consider the name of Jesus under the theme of our Introit Psalm, Psalm 8: 1, “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth.”
The name of the Lord is certainly very important in the Scriptures. If we pause to think about it for a few minutes, we realize that the Lord's name is in a number of very important places. For example, the Second Commandment: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Or the first petition of the Lord's Prayer: Hallowed by Thy name. We already mentioned the name of God connected to the water of baptism, as we baptized according to Jesus' command: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The first apostolic miracle in the book of Acts, St Peter says to the lame man at the temple, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” [Acts 3:6] St John tells us the reason that He wrote his epistles, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.” [1 John 5:13]
To the name of Jesus are connected many wonderful promises of God:
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And whatsoever you shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. [St John 14:13-14]
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And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Acts 2:21]
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Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [Acts 4:12]
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For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. [St Matthew 18:20]
Indeed St Paul extols the limitless wonder of the Lord's name: Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:9-11]
Indeed, His name is excellent in all the earth. But why? What is so special about His name? God's name is both who He is and what He does. His name is Jesus. We know what this name means, “He shall save His people from their sins.” This is who He is and what He does. He is the Savior, and He saves. This is wonderful good news. Jesus means that God is not a stay-up-there-and-condemn-us God, but a come-down-here-and-save-us God. That name Jesus means the cross, suffering and dying in our place. That name Jesus means that God is gracious to us and looks with favor upon us. That name Jesus means that our sins are forgiven.
His name is excellent because all of His thoughts and works toward us are excellent, good, and full of grace. Ryan Frederick James, you have been marked with the wonderful, glorious, excellent name of Jesus. It is a name that the devil hates, and so you know that being marked with the Lord's name means that you share enemies. But do not be afraid, with His name God has bound Himself to you, to protect and keep you. He will be with you all of your days. And no matter how many days the Lord grants you on this earth, His name will never wear off or grow dim, it will be as clear on your eightieth birthday as it is today. And when your last hour comes, the Lord will welcome you home as His dear child.
This, dear saints, is true for you as well. We have all been given the treasure of the Lord's excellent name, that beautiful name Jesus, which is our life and salvation. May this name be your hope, your comfort, and your peace, in this new year, and even unto life eternal. Amen. O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth. Amen.
And now may the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pastor Wolfmueller
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