Christian Living
There is Power in the Name of Jesus!
Do you remember when you had to copy a superior in an email just to encourage a colleague make progress on a task you were jointly responsible for? You subsequently got expedited action and better cooperation. The boss’s name/presence introduced an additional momentum!
Young children growing up in closely knit neighbourhood are sometimes sent to deliver a message or request something from a neighbour. The child is more likely to receive better/quick attention if he mentions that ‘his father/mother sent him‘. Mentioning your parent’s name gives you access and earns you respect.
God Sent His Son
God sent His beloved Son on an errand to Earth, to save and redeem mankind from sin (Matthew 17:5, Psalm 2:7, John 6:57, John 20:21). He was the brightness of the Father’s glory and His perfect image; having His Spirit and nature (Hebrews 1:2-3). He came in the Father’s Name, but alas the people didn’t recognize Him. However, when His work was done, He inherited a name more glorious than any other (Hebrews 1:4). Jesus, the Name above every other name. He was the true representation of the Father (John 14:9).
The Name of Jesus represents Him
In John 16:23, Jesus says we can ask and receive anything from the Father in His name…
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”
John 16:23 NKJV
So actually when we pray or make requests to the Father “in Jesus name“, we are saying ‘we come in Jesus’s name’, we are making our request on Jesus’s authority. We are saying ‘Jesus sent us’.
I used to wonder why Jesus did not say anything about asking according to the will of God in John 16:23…. And I think that if the hypothetical child mentioned above appeared at a neighbour’s door with a rather outrageous request that doesn’t fully represent who his parents are, he is unlikely to get a favourable response, infact he is likely to get lashed for attempting to outsmart an adult.
Praying in the name of Jesus presupposes that we will not ask of anything outside Jesus’s approval. Jesus’s name represents Him, He is the Word, He represents the Word, and we know that the Word of God is His will. When we go to the Father in the name of Jesus we do not go outside of the promises, rights and privileges we have in Christ.
Therefore it is not just the mere addition of “in Jesus name” that delivers the goods to us. We should also ensure our ‘whatsoever‘ truly represents who and what Jesus is.
The Name of Jesus is backed by the Father’s Authority
During Jesus’s earthly ministry, some of His followers went out on a ‘field work’ and achieved great feats in His Name….Demons obeyed the followers in the Name of Jesus.
“When the 72 followers came back from their trip, they were very happy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we used your name!”
Luke 10:17 ERV
In Philippians 2:9, we learn that following Jesus’s victory (through His death, burial and resurrection), the Father bestowed on Him the name that is above every other name…..
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name”
Philippians 2:9 NKJV
And after resurrection, Jesus delegated the authority in His name to His disciples (Matthew 28:18).
According to Mark 16:17-18, we cast out demons, speak with new tongues, heal the sick, are protected from harm following accidental ingestion of harmful substances and we stand against Satan, In The Name of Jesus!
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:17-18 NKJV
The Name of Jesus works everywhere
When used in faith, the Name of Jesus will work anywhere.
Philippians 2:9 says KNEES in Heaven, on Earth and Under the Earth bow at the mention of the Name of Jesus….
“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 2:9-11 NKJV
So there are KNEES Under the Earth (selah) and Second Peter 2:4 tells us whose knees these are.
I have read of people’s stories who temporarily transitioned out of this world (Earth) into either Heaven or Hell. Those who transition to Heaven would often say, their spirit went up while those who feel they visited Hell would say, they went Down. Smart folks! So Heaven is up, Hell is Down; under the Earth.
As far as we know, we are located on the Earth. So indeed, the devil is UNDER our feet. Halleluyah!
Friends, when we pray or speak in the Name of Jesus, it is as though Jesus Himself is praying or speaking. So we can pray and ask confidently because the Father will not withhold anything good from us. We have victory in Heaven, on Earth and Under the Earth and we have access to all that the Father has In the Name of Jesus. We overcome and walk in victory, In The Name of Jesus!!!
Today, go confidently in the name of Jesus.
Praise God, Halleluyah!!
