His Name Is . . . Controversial?

An unusual crime happened recently in Cincinnati. A 29-year-old man drove his car past an empty church building and shot a handgun at the building at least 36 times. Bullets shattered glass, blew out the front door, and caused an estimated $75,000 worth of damages. Church leaders had no idea who the man was or what his motive might be. When police arrested the suspect, he told them he didn't believe in Jesus. The shooter said he was "tired of hearing about your Jesus."

That's an extreme example, but no one can deny that the name of Jesus stirs strong emotions. In sections of India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, those who dare to publicly profess faith in Christ face threats of imprisonment. Church buildings are being burned and ministers are being beaten.

Here in America where tolerance is king, many seem comfortable enough with a generic spirituality, but they squirm when Christians make it clear that Christ is the centerpiece of our faith. Last August, retired minister Howard Brammer led in prayer for the drivers and thousands of spectators who attended the Brickyard 400 auto race in Indianapolis, and he prayed as he always does: in Jesus' name. But Howard's prayer became a controversial issue debated on talk radio for days, because some said by mentioning Jesus' name he was trying to cram his religion down their throats.

Inadequate answers abound when it comes to the question, "Who is Jesus?" In the first century some equated him with John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets (Matthew 16:13, 14). Mary mistook him for a gardener (John 20:15). The two downcast disciples on the road to Emmaus failed to recognize Jesus at first (Luke 24:13-17). Today Jesus is mistaken for a created being (Jehovah's Witnesses), a prophet who didn't die on the cross or rise from the dead (Islam), an insightful teacher but not a miracle worker (theological liberalism)—"a" way but not "the" way to Heaven (popular universalism).

According to the Bible, though, the risen Son of God is King of kings and Lord of lords. He owns "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). His name "is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). He's greater than Moses and Elijah; greater than Peter, Paul and John; greater than Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, and Socrates; greater than Obama, Trump, Spielberg, and Gates.

According to Colossians chapter one, Christ is above all of creation (vv. 15-17). He's above all in the church (vv. 18-20). He's above all in our personal faith (vv. 21, 22). "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom" (v. 28). We proclaim him—because his name is wonderful! No one comes before him and no one will outlast him. No one is higher and no one goes deeper. No one got here sooner and no one will be here later.

Rising from bed one morning at a hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, I realized I had forgotten to bring my Bible with me, but I found one in the desk drawer and opened it to the Gospel of John. To my surprise, I found a crisp new five dollar bill tucked into the pages. My first thought was, Wow, this is my lucky day! It's not often I stumble onto a five dollar bill.

I wondered why someone put it there. Then I looked closer. The money was tucked into the section where John 3:16 is found—where Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be born again.

I looked at the five dollar bill and wondered, Should I put it in my wallet? Spend it? Give it to a missionary?

I realized what I needed to do. I put the money back into the section next to John 3:16, closed the Bible, and put it back into the drawer—a treasure for someone else to find. More than any other gift, this confused and dying world needs Christ.