To live is Christ: Amplify JESUS!
Martha Olawale
“If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:31-32
We live in a noisy world, and sometimes it feels like hopelessness outweighs hope, and evil prevails over good. However, regardless of the dictates of the times and season we live in, when Christ is amplified, something changes because a world that welcomes Jesus sees glory, healing, joy, and righteousness, despite the prevailing evil that permeates it.
It’s easy for us to condemn our world today to the abyss of no return, believing that we are too far gone from God for Jesus to be enough for it. Really? Let’s look at the beginning of the story of Christ’s welcome on earth, because it affirms that evil is the same as it has been from the beginning of time; it’s simply the opposite of anything that honors God.
The world before Christ’s birth also seemed hopeless, joyless, and unredeemable. The scenes playing out in the background were marked by greed, ruthlessness, and the tears of many mothers. The events surrounding Jesus’ birth spoke to the callousness of humanity and the wickedness of the time He chose to come. Matthew 2:16 says, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.”
Think of this: an old, insecure bully decided to kill children because he could not stand the thought of Jesus and His kingship. He thought that the evil would drown out the good that came with Jesus, not realizing that thousands of years after his evil acts and the eventual gruesome crucifixion of Christ by His own people, the name of Jesus would keep ringing from one end of the earth to the other. Yes, Herod brought tears to many eyes, but Jesus remained Lord and the King of a nation too big for a million lifetimes. Herod is no more, Jesus lives! The generation that condemned Him to death is no more; Jesus lives!
Everything the name of Jesus stands for was good, still good, and will always be good. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Everything about God is good; everything stamped by Jesus is good. When we say His name, something happens; when we write His name, something happens. The enemy does not like it, and guess what, we don’t care. All we know is that, “At the name of Jesus, every knee bows! Philippians 2:10-11
Jesus did not come to add to joy; He is the joy of the world. He did not come to make the salvation road wider; He is the salvation. He did not come to extend hope; He is hope. The name of Jesus has stood the test of time. It heals broken hearts, restores lost sons, repairs broken bridges, and saves the “Too far gones.”
Today, I pray that God will ignite something in your spirit, reminding you of the power in the name that saved you from your sins. I hope this prompts you to think of Jesus, say 'Jesus,' and write 'Jesus'! Write His name, say His name, live for His name. Tell a friend what He has done for you, extend His love to those who do not know Him, teach your children about Jesus, and remind your soul that He is LORD. In all you do, amplify JESUS!
