At the name of Jesus every knee should bow (Phil. 2:10, NKJV)

“Jesus.” Say it aloud. How does it strike you? Perhaps you hear it as an expletive, the most incongruous of profanities. It’s hard to read novels or watch television nowadays without hearing the name of Jesus invoked as a curse word. Ironically, it is the language of rebellion against God.

Perhaps the word Jesus hits you matter-of-factly. It’s something you expect to hear by way of religious reference. It belongs in the formulaic prayer that has just been read. In this case Jesus actually refers to the historical figure of religious prominence. This Jesus might even distinguish your belief system from others who revere or adhere to different spiritual leaders.

It may be, though, that the word Jesus has an entirely different impact on you. When you hear that name used as an expletive you cringe. You can endure other words used as profanities, those four-letter words that fit the part. But not Jesus, not your Lord and your God.

Perhaps when you hear the name Jesus you study the user’s face looking for a flicker of recognition, a glimmer of affection. They know the name “Jesus,” but do they know Jesus? Or is the name being used idly, perhaps even as idolatry.

Maybe use of the name Jesus can chart the journey of your life. You remember when you invoked the name to sound tough, to make your speech more hard core the way profanity is supposed to. As one professional football player put it when he hears profanity-laced speech: “Oh, okay, he means it.”

Perhaps in your more reflective times you used the name to refer to Jesus of biblical fame, Jesus of the pantheon of religious influencers throughout history. The one who would champion your ethical stand or political cause, or identify your religious ilk.