No mere name . . .

Many lyrics in Christian music refer to the power of Jesus’ name. While too often we glibly tack “in Jesus’ name” at the end of our prayers, this should not be done without thought or understanding why it should be done. Part of the reason is that we speak to our Father representing His Son.

There is more but today I’m thinking of the power connection. As an ordinary believer I’ve experienced several instances of this power. One of them involved a young woman who was obsessed with killing herself, but at the direct use of the name of Jesus, she was set free and visibly so.

The Word of God has double meaning. Jesus is the “word of God made flesh” and the Bible is also the Word of God. The written Word is said to have power much like that of the ‘living Word’ and when we read it, it changes our lives. The following passage calls the Word “living and abiding” with the ability to endure forever, even into eternity:

(Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:20–25, italics mine)

These few verses excite me because they connect the Word with two realities. On one hand, it was the good news that was preached to me and caused me to be spiritually reborn into the kingdom of God. This Word and the living Word, Jesus, are the cause and foundation of my salvation. By them I am given new life and eternal life.

On the other hand, this Word of God is also eternal, imperishable, living and abiding, remaining forever without any notion that it will wither away, be destroyed, die off, or leave. In other words, the salvation given by the eternal Word is also eternal and secure, forever existing and forever mine.

I have a friend who does not take lightly the power of Jesus’ name when she prays. When I had some minor pain, she put her hands on the place that hurt and prayed in the name of Jesus that it would go away. It did. She prays for other things with such authority that I shiver listening to her.

In the busyness of life, it’s easy to skip over the most profound thoughts. This is one of them. The Word of God is forever. Implanted and giving new life, it remains forever. It was spoken in the beginning to create the world. It remains in power over all that it created. The Word can do anything and cannot be stopped. It makes human effort look like baby talk and a far cry from the talk and the power that comes from the Lord’s heart and mouth . . .

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11)

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Lord Jesus, far too many Christians, never mind the general masses, are unaware of its power and seldom open the pages of Your written Word, never mind calling on You daily and in every situation of life. Your power is there, in Your name, in Your Word, in the life that You gave Your people. It is endless and unstoppable. May You continually remind me of both that great power and my total need for it.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the joy of knowing the Word of God, Jesus and what God had written for us.

- the assurance that this is an eternal Word and can do whatever God sends it to do.

- finally getting back to some resemblance of normal life.

- my personal trainer and the exercises she takes me through.

- being outside in fresh air that is getting crispy.

- hubby’s health makes a liar out of his blood tests.

- being called upon to pray for others.

The Lord is my Strong Tower

When I get to heaven, there are many people I anticipate meeting and telling them how much I have appreciated their ministry here on earth. One of them is Charles Spurgeon. His language and writing belong to another era, but his love for the Lord and his attitude of worship have blessed me. I want to thank him for being an encourager who urges me to press on and to keep trusting the Lord.

Spurgeon’s words for today are based on the this command to trust God, even when all is dark. Most of my thoughts are a paraphrase of what he says, for all I can say is, “Amen!”

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. (Isaiah 50:10)

I understand that “trust in the name of the Lord” means relying on the revealed character of God. When I cannot see my way, then I can open the Bible and take a fresh look at what sort of God I am trusting. I can recall what He did in the past, and be refreshed by His promises for today. I can see His infinite love in the gift of His dear Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

The name of the Lord also means God the Son, for it is in Jesus Christ that Jehovah God has proclaimed His name. When it is dark around me, even within me, I can go to my Savior, and think of Him. I can remember His suffering and His sacrifice for my sin. I can remember His death and hear His cries. I can recall the flowing of His blood and gain comfort, even joy that will turn my darkness into day, not that His agony is comforting, but I am blessed because His suffering became triumph and His death became life everlasting.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

I am also blessed when I think about the name of the Lord and remember that it signifies what God has shown me of Himself in my past experience. He created a memorial for me, memories that are a great encouragement whenever I am in a dark place, or struggling with some sin or challenge. He has helped me over and over in years gone by. I have been able to say, “What deliverance… I will never doubt him again!” Yet such a stupid one am I — forgetting that in every dark time I will doubt Him again!

But why? Jehovah God is with me. I do not need to fear. I can rely on God. I can lean on Him and let Him be my support. He made a covenant with me. He promises to never leave me or forsake me. I can be foolish, confused, uncertain, doubting, questioning, even rebellious, and He never lets go of my hand. I can fully trust in Him even in the darkness because He has never, and will never, let me down.

He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! (Psalm 111:4–9)

The Name of Jesus

A song line says, “Jesus, Jesus, there is just something about that name…” and there is. Many Christians admit that it is easier to say “God” than it is to say “Jesus Christ.” Perhaps this has something to do with the reactions. “God” is generic in that everyone has ideas about who God is, but Jesus Christ is specific, the name of a person but not just any person. He claimed to be God.

Jesus Christ is the name most used as blasphemy. I’ve never heard anyone curse leaders of other religions, although I suppose it happens. However, Jesus is a polarizing figure; people either love Him or are drawn to Him, or they sneer and curse His name, even without knowing who they are cursing.

Christians should say His name more than we do, but in the right way for His name is powerful. A few years ago, a person with demonic problems (identity deliberately vague) gave me permission to share with him what I thought was causing his suicidal thoughts. After I explained the way the forces of evil work, I said, “You need Jesus.” Instantly I sensed a release from oppression as he began to shake and sob uncontrollably. After calming down, he expressed that he was set free — just by the name of Jesus.

Some might raise eyebrows at that, but not those of us who have witnessed the Lord at work through the name of His Son. God described the power of His name early in the Bible. On one occasion, it had to do with an angel. Some would call this angel a theophany, which refers to a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ.

Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him. “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. (Exodus 23:20–22)

Because the name of the Lord was in this angel from God, he was not only an agent of protection and leadership, but of forgiveness and insurance against the power of their enemies. This sounds like a member of the trinity, for who else can forgive sin and do these things? His name is powerful.

Today’s devotional verse also speaks of His Name. Jesus is praying for His disciples and says to His Father…

And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:11)

Jesus asks that we be kept in the Name of God, but He also says that this very same Name has been given to Him. He shares the title and designation of God, because He is God the Son.

I’ve been studying the nature of God this week and looking at answers to the question, “How can Jesus be fully man and fully God?” My head aches as I try to understand some very wonderful analysis done by those with incredible insights. They use all that is said in the entire Bible and come to the same conclusion as was revealed to me in an instant when Christ came into my life: Jesus is God in human flesh. I could not articulate it at the time, and still struggle to explain it, but there are no alternatives. All of Scripture points to one God with three natures. This is why the name of Jesus is so powerful. He is no ordinary person and His name is powerful. Eventually, everyone will know it.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Come and See

My daughter asked about a birthday gift and I told her about a brand of lotions that I buy in the grocery store. She was skeptical. She had never heard of that brand and normally shops for such things in places like Holt Renfrew. But she took a friend and they went to the store to sample the merchandise. Both of them were amazed. They purchased a basketful for me and decided they would start buying the same product.
 

Come and see. Sometimes the best way to prove the value of something is not through a sales pitch but a demo. Car dealers know that. So do people who sell other things, from sewing machines to new food products. Christians ought to know it too.

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:45–46)

In the early days of Christ’s ministry on earth, there were no billboards, ad campaigns, facebook or twitter. The only way anything could go viral was by word of mouth. And it did. News of Messiah’s arrival travelled fast. By the time Jesus had “gone public” His fame had spread to the point that the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” (John 12:19) 

What about today? Is Jesus well known? In one way, His name is known; it is a common swear word. Millions on this planet, including children and those in almost all countries, use Jesus Christ as blaspheme without even knowing whose name it is. 

Not only that, few understand the power of Jesus’ name. if they did, would they then say it with awe and prayerfully? Perhaps if they would “come and see” they would understand the amazing grace of God that can be theirs through believing in His name.

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

Taking a good look at Jesus reveals so much about His power and the worth of His name.

While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:30)

Men have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:26) just as Paul said, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13) 

His name also changes lives. After a list of what sinners do, the Bible says, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God gives the invitation to come and see, to experience Jesus, but more than that, to believe in Him. By believing, we receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life. We also enter into a new life and become part of His family, a family bound together by faith in the name of Christ and by a love that only He can produce in us.

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. (1 John 3:23)

At times I weep because some blaspheme His name, or ignore it, or are not interested, or are not willing to “come and see” for themselves. Even though I’d rather they change and learn of Him, it is some comfort to know that eventually Jesus Christ will be honored because everyone will bow when they hear His name.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

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Jesus, Your name is beautiful as well as powerful. By faith in You, I have assurance of eternal life. My sins are forgiven and You are giving me power to overcome them. One day, I will enter eternity where Your name will be above all names, no longer abused or ignored but exalted to the glory of God. Help me today to honor You in whatever way I can, and to invite others to come and see.