In The Name of Jesus

We have become so accustomed to the name “Jesus” that we hardly think much about it anymore. People use it in various forms as a meaningless word in a sentence or even as a curse word. But the name “Jesus” was chosen by God (Lk 1:31) and actually means “Savior.” Although it wasn’t an uncommon name in the first century, there was something very special about “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Here's where it gets interesting. These are specifically attached to Jesus’ name:

1.       Did miracles “in” and “through” His name (Mt 7:22; Lk 10:17)
2.       Disciples hated by all “for my name’s sake” (Mt 10:22)
3.       Gentiles will trust “in His name” (Mt 12:21)
4.       Receiving a child in His name is the same as receiving Him (Mt 18:5)
5.       He is present when we gather in His name (Mt 18:20)
6.       Reward for those who lose possessions or family or are persecuted for His “name’s sake” (Mt 19:29)
7.       We are to “believe on His name” (Jn 1:12)
8.       We are to ask the Father in His name (Jn 14:14)

Believing and doing things “in His name” means more than simply mentioning His name occasionally or somehow linking the name of Jesus to what we are doing. It means believing in who Jesus is (according to revealed Scripture) and respecting Him by doing what He says.

John said that the reason he wrote about what Jesus did is: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jn 20:31). He wrote so we can know who Jesus is and have confidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The result of that is having “life in His name” – eternal life because of our acceptance of Who He is. “In His name” means the realization and acceptance of Who Jesus really is.

When we believe and pray in His name, it’s not simply about saying the name of Jesus. It is wholly trusting that Jesus is the Christ to the point that we will accept, trust, and follow no other. His “name” (Who Jesus is) gives His followers faith and authority to do things “in His name.” For example, we don’t have the right to approach the almighty, holy God of heaven. However, because we wear the name of Jesus, because we come to God in Jesus’ name – believing Him, trusting Him, following Him – we can approach God in worship and prayer. We confess the name of Jesus, acknowledging that it is in Him we believe and therefore are forgiven and made worthy to stand before God. With His name in our hearts and on our lips is the true way to worship and pray. It’s the true way to live!  dd

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation… For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Romans 10:9-10, 13