“The name on the front outweighs the one on the back.”
Have you heard that phrase in sports? The idea is that the team is always more important than the individual. “Astros” is more important than “Altuve.” “Rockets” is more important than “Harden.” “Aggies” is more important than “Mond.” Whether the team won or lost counts more than any individual accolades. It’s simply not possible for a player to win, even when his team loses. And it’s also not possible for a player to lose, even when his team wins!
Keep that in mind as you think about your connection to God. He put his name on us on the day that we were baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. What’s more important today – your name or Christ’s name? God didn’t save us from hellfire so that we could puff ourselves up! We are here to lift up the name of Christ! Listen to this Scripture verse. “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:12).”
Why have a ME-centered day? You aren’t sitting on the eternal, heavenly throne. Your name isn’t meant to be glorified by all. Jesus’ name outweighs your name! His victory is your victory! When his name graciously covers your sin, it’s not possible for you to lose.
Prayer: How sweet the name of Jesus sounds – in a believer’s ear! It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away all fear. By you, my prayers acceptance gain – although with sin defiled. Satan accuses me in vain! For God calls me his child. O Jesus, Shepherd, Guardian, Friend – my Prophet, Priest and King! My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End – accept the praise I bring. Amen.
Note – today’s prayer is from the hymn, “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” written by John Newton in the 1700s. Newton lived much of his adult life as a reckless sinner, working on a few different slave trader ships, before learning about forgiveness through Jesus alone. He also wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace.”
Nathan Buege
Pastor, Victory of the Lamb Lutheran Church
Katy, TX
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