Jesus: Forerunner

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. -Hebrews 6:20 AMP

When wagon trains crossed the country heading into the unknown territory of the American West, they hired scouts (forerunners) to go before the travelers to find out what was ahead and report back their findings. Pioneers needed to know where the trail would take them, if there were dangers ahead that they needed to prepare for, if there was fresh water nearby, and if there was a good place where they could make camp for the night. Most important of all, the job of the scout was to make sure the travelers took the best path possible, the path that would bring them safely to their final destination.

As Forerunner, Jesus is the one who has gone before us and blazed the trail to the Father's house. He has entered the sanctuary of heaven, into the very presence of God, and has reported back to us with all the information we need to arrive safely at our final destination. Jesus, our heavenly scout with perfect knowledge of what is ahead, gives us the basis to press on in our journey of faith with everlasting hope in our hearts.

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©2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.

Jesus: Firstborn from the Dead

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. -Revelation 1:5 NKJV

When something is offered that you greatly desire, you want to be the first in line to get it. Recently, and electronic company came out with a new game system. When the time of its public release was announced, people stood in line for hours in order to be one of the first ones to own the system.

However, if there is something you are fearful about attempting, you are not as anxious to be the first one to do it. Two men were hiking to the mountains when the trail they were on led to the edge of a high cliff. In front of them stood a rickety, old wooden bridge suspended across a raging river hundreds of feet below. Without crossing the bridge, the two men could not continue their journey. They both agreed to continue, but neither wanted to test the bridge's safety by crossing first.

A group of Christians may all talk about the wonders of heaven, but most likely no one wants to go first. Jesus knows the fears that each of us has about death. As the Firstborn from the Dead, Jesus assures us that He not only tasted death for each of us, but He is also the first to rise from the dead, never to die again. Through our death, we will simply follow Him into our resurrection, never to die again. Jesus has gone first, and He is telling us that everything will be okay. 
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©2011. 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. All rights reserved.

Jesus: I Am

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I AM. -John 8:58 AMP

Jesus, the eternal I Am, is the I Am of everything you need, of all you desire, and of all you long to be. He is your wisdom, your authority, and your confidence; He is your purpose, your hope, and your future; He is your mission, your motivation, and your message. When Jesus says, "I Am" he is saying that He is all-in-all. He is your provider and your provision, whatever your need may be.

In trouble, He is your peace. In lack, He is your sufficiency. In changing circumstances, He is your contentment. In sorrow, He is your comfort. In hardships, He is your hope. In difficulty, He is your joy. In weakness, He is your strength. In battle, He is your victory. In impossibilities, He is your miracle worker. 

He is your I Am when things are smooth and when things are rough, when there is sunshine and when there is rain. He is your I Am first thing in the morning, in the middle of the day, in the evening shadows, and when you go to bed at night. He is the I Am of every moment, of every ministry, of every appointment, and of every circumstance.
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©2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Jesus: True

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called...True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. -Revelation 19:11 NKJV

It is important for us to not only hear meaningful things from other people but to also know that people truly mean the things they say. Scripture assures us that Jesus Christ is completely true and sincere. His words are not idealistic but realistic. He wants the words that He speaks to us to lead us to faith, not to make-believe.

Jesus is true in His words; everything He said can be counted upon. Jesus is true in His motives; everything He does is for a right and good reason. There is no falsehood or deceit in Him. Jesus would never trick someone, con them into believing a lie, playact, or speak about fiction as though it were fact. Jesus is 100% genuine.

Jesus is true in His promises, true in His character, and true in His attitudes. He is true in His faithfulness, true in His kindness, and true in His love. His healing is true, His compassion is true. He is also true in all His judgments. No matter which way you observe Him, everything about Him is true and bears witness to the truth.

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©2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. All rights reserved.

Jesus: Faithful

-Roy Lessin, Jesus Name Above All Names

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful...and righteousness He judges and makes war. -Revelation 19:11 NKJV

All of us desire meaningful relationships where people can trust one another. One of the hardest things to overcome in any relationship is unfaithfulness. Once trust has been broken in a marriage, it is devastating and may take years to rebuild the damage that has been done. There are other situations where trust can be broken. Someone may say, "I am having a hard time at work because I can't trust my boss." Someone else may say, "I trusted my friend with a deep secret, and I was shocked when he betrayed my confidence."

Trust is a word that is directly related to someone's character. We are not born with character. It is something that is developed in us. Trust is built in others not by those who are promise-breakers but by those who are promise-keepers. Trust creates security within a relationship.

Jesus carries the name Faithful because He is worthy of our complete trust and confidence. The Bible tells us that those who put their trust in the Lord will never be put to shame. He will never let us down. His words are true, and that makes Him believable; His actions are consistent, and that makes Him dependable; His power is limitless, and that makes Him reliable; His character is without flaw and that makes Him indescribable!
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©2011, 2020 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. All rights reserved.