THE NAME OF JESUS

What does the Name of Jesus mean to you? Is it just the name of the Son of God? Or is there more to it than that? Can we use that Name in prayer today?

John 14:13 says, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

John 16:24 says, "Hitherto ye have asked nothing in My Name. Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be made full." Jesus is saying, in other words, "Up to this time, you have never prayed in My Name, but now, whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He will give it you." This promise is the most staggering statement that perhaps ever fell from the lips of the Master -- that we have the use of His Name.

But notice - it does not say "If we believe," or "If we have faith." That Name has been given to us. It is ours! And what is ours, we do not need faith to use! The right and the privilege to use that Name came to us when we were born into the Family of God.

And get a grip on this: all that Jesus could do when He walked on earth can be done NOW by EVERY believer!

In earlier blogs, we talked about the expression "in Christ" which occurs 130 times in the New Testament. It shows us, as believers, our position in Christ, our legal standing in Him, our place in the Family of God, and in the purposes of God. We're to represent Christ. We're to act in His place. And when we pray in His Name, it is as though Jesus Himself is praying. In other words, we are taking Christ's place and acting as His representatives! And when we pray in Jesus' Name and take His place, it's just as though Jesus Himself were here! That is staggering!

When Jesus gave the disciples this promise, we have no indication that they argued about it. They didn't worry about it. They didn't try to analyze what it meant. All they did was act on the Words of Jesus.

Can we do any less?

Preacher's Kid