Jesus: something about that name!

I find it mysterious how God will teach me something.  Have you ever noticed that a certain topic will pop up in almost every conversation, everything you read, every passage of scripture?  It seems coincidental, but it’s not.  I believe it is the Holy Spirit trying to get your attention.  Lately that has been happening to me.  It has everything to do with the actual “name” of Jesus.  Here are a few things that I have come across in the past few weeks:

#1.  John 14:13-14

“¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”


As a Christian do I live my life that way?  Do I really believe that?  Do I pray with boldness that God will provide in Jesus name?  Do I believe that God can heal my friends and family if I pray in Jesus name?  Was Jesus kidding or was He being for real?  And if so, why don’t I live that way?  Why doesn’t God’s church live this way?


#2.  Exodus 20:7
 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “


There is something sacred about God’s name (specifically the name of Jesus).  How many times a day do we look past this?  I know I do!  God has really called this to my attention.  Don’t just call on me in Jesus name, but make sure you don’t mistreat it either!  God’s name is holy.  It is a part of Him, same as His word.


#3  Acts 19:13-16
“¹³ Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. “


The name of Jesus isn’t a magic trick or a genie-in-a-bottle.  The power associated with the name of Jesus is reserved for His children.  The reason why Paul had power in Jesus name was because he was a son of the most high God, and He was walking with Jesus daily in Spirit.  The humbling thing that occurred to me is that the same power in Jesus name that was available to Paul is available to me as well.


Let's not beat around the bush about it:  What has changed?  God?  Absolutely not! (Hebrews 13: 8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”)  So I ask again:  what has changed?  Have we as Christ followers forgotten that Jesus Christ can do anything on our behalf if it is in His Father’s will?  How many times do we believe it?  How many times do we act upon that?  If we truly grasped this would our lives dramatically change?


#4 Philippians 2:10
“…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”


Whether you are an Christ follower, an atheist, an agnostic or a follower of any other religion, there is a simple fact that will happen:  you will bow at the name of Jesus.  It is going to happen no matter what.  The choice is yours whether you bow to Him before you die (as a follower of Jesus Christ) or after you die (eternally separated from God).  This is a very sobering thought and one that should not be ignored.


Today, call on the name of Jesus.  Use His name in conversations.  Speak it out loud.  His name is a game changer.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, my excitement level is going out of the roof as I learn more about this great Savior we serve!