Take the Name of Jesus with You
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Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.
Words: Lydia Odell Baxter (b. Sept. 2, 1809; d. June 22, 1874)
Music: William Howard Doane (b. Feb. 3, 1832; d. Dec. 23, 1915)
Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org
Note: For much of her adult life, Mrs. Baxter was a bedridden invalid, yet she was active in the Lord’s work in a number of ways. She published a book of her poems called Gems by the Wayside, with this interesting comment:
“If the mind of the reader is not elevated with flights of the imagination, the heart may be cheered and encouraged, as it participates with the writer in the joys that flow from that pure stream which meanders through the valley of humiliation.”
Shakespeare’s Juliet asked, “What’s in a name?” She claimed that giving something a different name doesn’t change the nature of the thing itself. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” she said.
But names do matter. Parents can give their children names that signify something positive. Names that may continue to inspire them through life. On the other hand, out on the school playground, cruelly labeling a boy Fatty, or Dummy may lay a heavy burden on him, significantly affecting him for years to come.
Further, there are the things with which a name is associated, later in life. Such things as a person’s character and accomplishments will bring the individual recognition, either for good or ill. Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, or Kim Jong-un are well known and influential people–noted in the current news for much different reasons.
In the Bible, various forms of the word “name” are used over a thousand times, and thousands of personal names are given, many quite revealing. (David means beloved, Daniel means God is my judge.) As for the names and titles of God, there are hundreds of them, revealing aspects of His person and character.
In the New Testament, with the incarnation of the Son of God, we are given quite a number of names that focus on Him in particular. John records many of the titles Jesus gave Himself. He said He was: the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:35), the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12), the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11), the Resurrection and the Life (Jn. 11:25), and “the Way…to the Father” (Jn. 14:6).
Many times He is given the compound title the Lord Jesus Christ (e.g. Acts 16:31; Rev. 22:21).
¤ “Lord” speaks particularly of His deity, that He is God in human flesh (e.g. Lk. 1:43).
¤ “Jesus” means Jehovah [or the Lord] is salvation.
¤ “Christ” meaning Anointed One, identifies Him as Israel’s Messiah.
In speaking of His second coming, Titus 2:13 refers to Him as “our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Either by itself, or as part of many compounds, the name Jesus is used over nine hundred times. It’s found in the first verse of the New Testament (Matt. 1:1), and in the very last verse (Rev. 22:21). But it’s rarely found by itself after the Day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2). The few times when this happens, however, are significant.
An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him to name the One who’d be born of Mary “JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). The very meaning of the name speaks of His redemptive work. Indeed, He is described as “Jesus, the author and finisher [the Source and Goal] of our faith” (Heb. 12:2) Later, we’re told there is coming a day when, “at the name of Jesus, every knee [will] bow,” and confess Him as Lord (Phil. 2:10-11).
He is our glorious Lord and Saviour. His name is wonderful to us because it represents His person, and He is wonderful. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray on His authority. The name stands for the person. That truth enriches our understanding of a hymn by Lydia Baxter. The song sometimes has the title Precious Name, other times the first line is used. A lovely descriptive phrase in the refrain reminds us that Jesus is the believer’s hope here, and will be our joy forever.
CH-1) Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.
CH-3) O the precious name of Jesus!
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!
CH-4) At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.
Questions:
1) What does the author mean by describing Christ as the “hope of earth”?
2) What are some reasons why He is (and will be forever) the “joy of heaven”?
Links:
Wordwise Hymns (for another article see here)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org