THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME

Victor M. Eskew

 

          The song that entitles this article was written in 1970 by Bill Gaither.  Many individuals were introduced to this song while participating in youth groupsin the seventies.  It is a very short song.  The lyrics are as follows:

 

                               Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

                               There’s just something about that name.

                               Master, Savior, Jesus.

                               Like the fragrance after the rain.

                               Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

                               Let all heaven and earth proclaim.

                               Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away.

                               But there’s something about that name.

 

The words of this song are filled with teaching about the man named Jesus.  Let’s examine some of the song’s lessons in the remainder of this article.

          The one who is being referenced in this song is Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, Jesus the carpenter, Jesus the resident of Nazareth.  This name was not selected by Jesus’ parents.  No, His name was given to Him by an angel.  Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced to her that she would have a son.  “And the angel said unto her, Fear not Mary:  for thou hast found favor with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” (Luke 1:30-31).  In time, Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy.  As he contemplated putting Mary away for adultery, an angel appeared to him.  The angel revealed the source of Mary’s pregnancy and revealed his name to Joseph.  “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:  for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:20-21).  After his birth, he was circumcised on the eighth day and “his name was called JESUS which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).

          The second line of the song indicates that this name is a name of wonder.  “There’s just something about that name.”  The name, Jesus, was a common name among the Jews.  Many mothers gave their children this name in honor of Joshua, the commander of the Israelite army under Moses and the leader of God’s people who brought Israel into the Promised Land.  Now, however, the name seems to refer to only one person, Jesus, the Son of God.  Some who hear the name “wonder” in awe.  Others “wonder” at the name of Jesus, but with a derogatory attitude.  When Jesus comes again, all will wonder at this precious name.  “Wherefore God also hath 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 the earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

          This person named Jesus plays a very important role in the lives of all humans.  He is both Master and Savior.  He is the one whom God sent into the world to be the propitiation for the sins of the world.  “In this was manifest the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4:9-10).  The benefits of the Savior’s death are manifold.  They, however, must be appropriated through faithful obedience to the will of God (Heb. 5:8-9).  Those who submit to His will make Him their Master.  They freely, eagerly, and joyfully serve Him.  They find Him to be a kind Lord.  They learn that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt. 11:28).  Those who faithfully serve Him unto death have a crown of life waiting for them (Rev. 2:10).  They have a mansion in the land beyond (John 14:1-3).  They have hope of a life that is described with the word “everlasting” (Matt. 25:46).

          Those who have been redeemed by Jesus cherish His name.  His name is sweet and refreshing “like a fragrance after the rain.”  The smell of His forgiveness is sweet.  The scent of His salvation is pleasant.  The odor of His reconciliation is pleasing.  The fragrance of His gift of eternal life is satisfying.  The name of Jesus is like perfume for the soul.

          The name of Jesus is so precious and wonderful that all things in heaven and earth should proclaim it.  Yet, if no one else professes His name, His followers should let it ring from the housetops.  They should declare it on the highways and by-ways.  They should let it be heard in every metropolis and in every sleepy country town.  They should be like Peter and John who said:  “For we cannot speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

          Dear readers, kings and kingdoms, even those that are large and powerful, will pass away.  The name of Jesus, however, will never fade.  After 2000 years, His name still rings in the ears of humanity.  Throughout all eternity His name will be praised by the holy angels and the redeemed of all humanity.  It will never grow old.  The name of Jesus will forever be remembered while all other names will be forgotten.

          This wonderful song ends with a repeated statement:  “But there’s something about that name.”  Does the name of Jesus mean something to you?  If it does, live so that others take knowledge that you have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).  Live in such a way before the world that they, too, come to know that there is something about that name.