Jesus Names His Stewards by Howard Rich

By  Howard Rich  ~

Today, I want to share with you how in Scripture Jesus names his stewards, those who belong to him.

I have often been asked if I have a favorite verse, or a life verse, from the Bible. As I reflect on this question, I realize I have a life chapter. Revelation chapter 4 depicts a scene from Heaven and the Throne of God which drops me to my knees and puts me in a position of awe for God.  It is a scene of worship and majesty, with creatures praising continually by saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” This is a confirmation and continuation of God’s revelation to man. He is the Great I am; He was, is, and will always be. I love that chapter because it puts all of life in perspective and shows me who is in control. God is the Creator, and I am the created.

The Book of Revelation is an incredible story of God’s ownership and redemption of His creation. In Revelation 2:17, Jesus proclaims He will give a new name, written on a stone, to those who overcome and remain faithful to Him. Whether the new name given on the stone identifies those to whom it is given, or if it refers to the new name of Christ, is debatable; nonetheless, the ability and power to rename lies with Jesus, and none other. Subsequently, in chapter 3, Jesus announces He will write upon those who overcome, “the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name” (Rev 3:2). These two examples of Jesus giving new names are expressions of His authority, power, glory, and sovereignty over creation. He was there at creation, and by renaming it and proclaiming a new name for Himself, He is pulling it all back to Himself and reclaiming it for His use.

The book of Revelation demonstrates God’s ownership and Lordship of earth, as well as all creation, while also revealing the fate of humanity. There is no doubt who controls the created order – God determines how life begins, develops, and ends. As I reflect on my past and dream about my future, I find it liberating to know Jesus names me and I belong to Him. He has redeemed me, reclaimed me and my future for His purposes, and my new name seals me as His. My responsibility is to faithfully and wisely manage the part of creation He entrusts to me.

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Howard Rich is the Director of Operations and New Projects for the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS).

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