The Banner of Jesus Christ

by Chris Simmons

Isaiah, prophesying of the time in which the Messiah (“root of Jesse”) would come and reign over the “remnant” of all “the nations” (Isaiah 11:10-11), also spoke of His role as “a signal (standard)” (verse 10) and that “He will lift up a standard for the nations” (verse 12).

A standard, signal, ensign, or banner was an important part of military battles during Old Testament times. According to Fausset’s Bible Dictionary, the standard or banner was “a common object of regard, a signal of observation, a rallying point to awaken men’s hopes and efforts (Ex. 17:15).” Jesus Christ is our banner and it is He who we should keep our eyes and ears fixed on, even as we read in Hebrews 12:1-2 to be “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.”

The banner of Jesus Christ is to remind us of several things. First of all, we’re to be reminded of the battle we are in and though we must fight (I Timothy 1:18; 6:12; II Timothy 2:4), we do so through faith in His power and strength (Deuteronomy 20:1-4) and not our own. We fight against those who defy the banner of Jesus Christ even as David fought against Goliath who defied and taunted the God of Israel (I Kings 17). Yet today, the world defies God and taunts those who serve under the banner of Jesus Christ. That banner must infuse each child of God with courage and conviction to continue to “fight the good fight.” Ultimately the banner of Jesus Christ is our hope for victory in this battle as Paul wrote in II Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” Will we unashamedly proclaim, as Moses did after he led the Israelites to defeat the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8ff, “The Lord is my banner” in the midst of great opposition today?

Second, the banner of Jesus Christ reminds us that we are to be united under the banner of Christ. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:1-3, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We are to be “united as one man” (Judges 20:11) in our worship of God, our stand for truth, and our opposition to error and every practice not done by God’s authority. Paul rebuked the brethren in Corinth for their lack of unity and the “divisions among you” (I Corinthians 1:10) as they aligned under men and not the banner of Jesus Christ. As we read the book of Nehemiah, we are reminded of the great things that can be accomplished when a group of people become united to the point that they act as one. This can only happen when brethren persist in abiding in the “teaching of Christ” (II John 9) and commit to speak only that which His word has revealed to us (cf. I Peter 4:11).

Third, the banner of Jesus Christ is to remind us of the standard of truth. David wrote, “Thou hast made Thy people experience hardship; Thou hast given us wine to drink that makes us stagger. Thou hast given a banner to those who fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. That Thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand, and answer us!” (Psalms 60:3-5). Jesus has revealed God’s standard for truth and righteousness to us. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” Just as a flag or banner sets apart one military regime from another, so we are set apart (sanctified) through the truth that Christ revealed (John 17:17). May we rally around the banner of Jesus Christ for the truth He came to reveal.

Fourth, the banner of Jesus Christ is a source of pride and honor. When the soldiers who fought on the island of Iwo Jima in World War II finally achieved victory and famously mounted the American banner or flag, they did so with a sense of pride in what that flag represented to them. As soldiers of Christ, our pride is not in self but in our relationship with Him and everything that He lived and died for. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (cf. Philippians 3:8-11) reminds us that, if we’re to be proud of anything, to be proud of our fellowship with God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit, and God’s “lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth.” Are we proud to carry the banner of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Are we proud to wear His name? Paul was not ashamed to carry the banner of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16) and he asked that Timothy not be ashamed of the banner he was willing to suffer for (II Timothy 1:8, 12; cf. Psalms 31:1; I Peter 4:16). May it be our prayer that “with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20).

Fifth, the banner of Jesus Christ is a reminder of our need for humility. Apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Our banner is our example of humility; who came not to do His own will, but His Father’s (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38). Paul reminds us of the need to follow in His steps and to do “nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself” (Philippians 2:3; note verses 4-9). The banner of Jesus Christ reminds us that, regardless of how obediently we may serve, how courageously we may fight, or how much we may accomplish for the Lord’s sake, the glory belongs to God (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Sixth, the banner of Jesus Christ is also a declaration of faith and trust. Joshua, who was designated by Moses to lead the battle, was a man of faith. He and Caleb were the only two who later had enough faith in the banner of God to say confidently, we can take the land. The banner represents our conviction that things will turn out “exactly” as God told us they would (Acts 27:25). It’s our affirmation that we will overcome and in fact, “overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). It represents our assurance that everything entrusted to God in our lives is guarded and kept by Him – “for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (II Timothy 1:12).

Lastly, the banner of Jesus Christ is a resolution of commitment. Just as Moses’ raising of the rod didn’t absolve the Israelites from having to fight, so we must do our part. We must “fight the good fight of faith” (I Timothy 6:12) and “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). We must put our hands to the plow and not look back (Luke 9:62). We are personally responsible for the work that must accompany salvation (Philippians 2:12). Spiritual victory does not come without a cost – possibly even our life. Trials and persecutions will come (Luke 14:25-35; cf. Revelation 2:10).

In recent times, I’ve witnessed multitudes of people rallying around various banners, flags, and emblems for various worldly and even sinful causes. I wonder if we as Christians who wear His name are willing to show the same commitment and devotion to the banner of Jesus Christ as the world does for their various causes. If we’re not, the war is already over.