August 15
‘I will write on them the name of my God (…) and I will also write on them my new name.’ Revelation 3:12b
It sounds incredible that Jesus became obedient. Yet, in this passage, it is stated clearly. In the letter to the Hebrews it is even written that He - in spite of being the Son - learned obedience from what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8). If Jesus’ obedience had been eternally self-evident, He would have had the Name above every name already in advance. But it is precisely because Jesus – in spite of all the temptations that came upon Him here on earth – choose obedience above His own interests, that God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name.
Oh, what if Jesus would not have been obedient! But thanks be to God, He did not shrink back to be destroyed (Hebrews 10:39), but because His heart was entirely devoted to the Father, He reopened the way to God for all lost humankind through His victory. Therefore we can and must follow Him in this victory that He won for us. This is why we must strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees.
For this reason the Bible so often speaks about victory, triumph and overcoming. Read for example: Romans 12:21, Revelation 2:7,11,26, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 21:7, 1 John 2:13,14 and 1 John 4:4. Should we not offer our whole life on the altar of God for this?
For like the Father exalted Jesus to the highest place, so the Son will exalt also them who overcame the evil one by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. For the Name above every name that Jesus received through His obedience, He will give to those who persevere to the end. ‘I will write on them the name of My God (…) and I will also write on them My new name!’