Scriptures reveal that there is “power” in the name of Jesus. We are asked to pray in Jesus’ name (John 14:13-14), we are asked to believe in the name of Jesus for salvation (Acts 4:12), we are told to have faith in the name of Jesus (Romans 3:22), we are to be baptised in the name of Jesus (Matthew 28:19), there is healing in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:18), etc.
All these things are possible “in the name of Jesus,” but how does His name carry power? It has power because His name is interchangeable with His person, presence, and power. It is crucial to always hold the name of God in the highest honour and respect. Even in our everyday life, we hear the phrase “make a name for ourselves” or talk about how others are trying to make a name for themselves. In other words, their name becomes associated with their achievements, and they stand out for that reason and be known by them.
Likewise, whenever we hear of the name of Jesus Christ, we are directly taken to His person, His deity, His life, death, and resurrection, His messiahship, His lordship, His miracles, His love, His grace, His provision, His redeeming power, His sovereign authority, His kingship, etc. So whenever we invoke or call on the name of Jesus Christ, it is to acknowledge these attributes of Christ, relying on His person, presence, and power. Because He is these things, we can trust His wisdom and abilities in whatever we call upon Him for. Amen!
Both in the Old and New Testaments, we see that God’s Name is synonymous with His person and power. Jeremiah 16:21 says, “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.”
Also, Micah 4:5 says, “For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”
If we trust and believe in this God, our God, then there must also be an appropriate response to Him. We often find ourselves calling on the name of Jesus when we are in need or any number of situations. But do we at the same time give honour to His name? How do we respond to the name of Jesus in our living out of our belief in Him?
If fact, the third commandment teaches us not to take the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7). That is to say, not to use God’s name in false worship, being hypocritical and insincerity. Such living is an offence to God because by doing so in His name, you denigrate His character and reputation as a Holy God. So, Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9 to say, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
We must likewise honour God in our actions, words, and hearts, and by being a child of God, do all things that will glorify the Father, through the Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 29:2 says, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”
