Beautiful Savior (ELW 838, v. 4)
Devotion
4Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine!
Text: Gesangbuch, Münster, 1677; tr. Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904
Jesus—the church gathers in that name, has a mission, does ministry in that name. What binds us together, breaks down barriers, comforts us is that name.
In my study there are memories all around—pictures and books and ancient relics from my childhood. There will come a day when I leave them behind and they will belong to another. So what do I get to take with me? I will have my name. When all else fades, when all else no longer matters, I will still have my name. And when your time on this earth is done, you will have your name. When your family and friends gather to comfort one another, they will speak your name and weep and smile. A good name. An honorable name. A memorable name.
But another name will also be spoken: Jesus. That name is joined to your name, and that name dares to give us hope. What you have when your world slips away, when someone else gets all your toys, are two names—your name and the name of Jesus, together. It is enough.
Prayer
Jesus, name above all names. Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations. God-with-us, Emmanuel. Son of God, Son of Man. Living Word, Redeemer. Thank you for claiming us by the power of your name. Amen.