From Discarded to Desired

As I drove down a quiet street yesterday afternoon on my way to mow a friend’s lawn, something caught my eye: a vacuum cleaner sitting at the edge of the road, awaiting its fate with the garbage truck. It looked very old and worn, like it had seen better days. The front where the roller spun was completely off the machine, and the main unit that housed the motor was completely made of metal. I was guessing this thing was from the age where salesmen went door-to-door selling vacuums to unsuspecting housewives while the husband was on a business trip wearing a suit, Fedora, and still allowed to smoke on the airplane. 

I almost passed it by without a second thought, but curiosity got the best of me, and I slowed down when I saw the words: KIRBY. This wasn’t just any old vacuum; it was a high-end, top-of-the-line model of its day. In fact, they still sell them — for $3,000! What had been discarded as useless junk was actually a coveted item, still functional and valuable to those who see its worth. For $38 I replaced the belt, bag, and another set for later on. In that moment, it became clear that what we often overlook or dismiss may be far more valuable than it seems — like Jesus.

There is value in a name

Like KIRBY, there is value in a name, but only to those who know it. When you say the name to those who know it, it speaks volumes to its great worth, respect, and honor within the vacuum community. Gar, the repair man at the Ankeny Oreck Store was elated when I told him of my new find, and was anxious to help with free advice without even asking.

Jesus is everything

If Jesus were alive and visable in the flesh today, walking on the earth, He would look like any ordinary dude. He would be the guy who would have really good advice and a sense of humor; but since He doesn’t look like much, professional men wouldn’t give Him a second thought, or the ladies give Him a second glance. To the foul-mouth carpenters He works with, He would be somewhat of an enigma: He never cusses, complains about His wife (if He were married), but has great ideas and interesting to be around. He’s not a weak man, though; fearless, strong, and as rough as His hands feel, are gentle enough to hold a baby bunny in His arms without damage. He was the embodiment of protector and provider. But on the outside, He would like any average Middle-Eastern Jew, even to His own family.

To us Christians on the other hand, He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of humanity. He is the only fully divine and fully human who lived a sinless life who willingly laid down His perfect life as the blood atonement to God to appease His just wrath on those who repent and put their trust and faith in Him. He is our everything, or at least He should be. Read the following verses in Philippians and let it sink in.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV

God gave Jesus a name that is above every name that ever existed, and will exist. The One who was rejected, humiliated, tortured, beaten, whipped, and murdered on a cross is seen as the most glorious and everlasting God ever known. At the name of Jesus, every single knee will bow. Let that sink in, that just in the name of Jesus, not just Jesus Himself, every knee will bow in humble worship to Him to the glory of the Father. His name is so powerful, that the absolute totality of all creation will recognize the superiority of Jesus Christ and worship Him. If that is the case, how much more glorious is the rest of Him!

Not everyone will realize His worth

But, not everyone will be saved. Only those who realize His worth. For Jesus said:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21 NKJV

Only those who know now the value of His name will embrace what He offers and take the free gift of salvation given through His sacrifice on our behalf. But it is only those who submit to His authority now, in this life, and follow Him will enter eternal life. The bending of the knee will happen at the resurrection by all, but it is those who bend now will be at peace.

Now, that is a name indeed!