The Name of Jesus
I’m sure everyone has spoken these words at some point in their life; ‘Oh my God’ ‘Jesus Christ!’ or even ‘Good Lord’. I’d go as far as saying those are probably the most commonly spoken words on earth, Jesus is a pretty popular guy.
But does every person who says those words even know what they mean? Do they truly grasp the power of the Name of Jesus?
I doubt it.
A good percentage of the time, ‘Jesus Christ’ is spoken out of anger or even fear. I’d even say many of the people who say that probably aren’t even devoutly Christian. It’s not that anything is wrong with calling on Jesus, as Believers we’re supposed to call on our Father in our time of need. But what’s so great about Jesus’ name? Will shouting out His name really make a difference?
We’re talking about the name of our Lord and Savior. The name of the man who gave up His precious life for us so that we could receive forgiveness from God and join them in heaven at the end of our natural, earthly lives. Without Jesus we would have nothing. He is the creator of the universe, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. He holds this world in the palm of his hand, he grants us forgiveness of our sins, he heals the sick and gives to the poor, he lifts us up and gives us salvation. It’s only natural that the very name of this being would hold power as well. And that power has been granted to us.
How do we know this?
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 KJV
Notice that Jesus says whatever you ask in my name, not that you simply ask Him, but ask in His name. That alone is biblical evidence of the power in Christ’s name. It isn’t speaking it that ‘gives’ it power, the name of Jesus has power all on its own, but the combination of our faith in His name brings a manifestation of that power.
One of my favorite scriptures in reference to the name of Jesus.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 KJV
Now, that scripture could have said that God gave Jesus a position over every position, or a power over every power but no, He gave Him a name above every name. But…why a name?
Because words have power.
In the Bible, words are—and still are today—the most powerful force used by anyone. God spoke the world into existence. Jesus told Lazarus to rise from the dead. Paul sang and God opened the prison doors. Jesus spoke the words to give up the ghost on the cross.
Words. Words. Words.
So when the name of our Savior becomes a spoken word, it is itself power hanging on the very edge of our tongues.
Why is this so important, though?
Because you need to know just whom you’re calling on whenever you say that name. You need to realize that Jesus Christ are the most powerful words you can utter. In any language, on any place on earth, if you can’t remember a single scripture just know that Jesus Christ is more than enough.
When you say His name you are calling on Him, inviting Him into your life and the situation you face. And you’d best believe that when Jesus comes, He doesn’t come to play.
When God defended the Israelites he didn’t joke around, he sent devastating plagues and then drowned the Egyptians in the Red Sea. When God aided David in battle he didn’t give him a little pat on the back and say good luck. He sent a rock through Goliath’s skull and then allowed a scrawny, teenage boy to cut his head clean off. When Mary asked Jesus to heal her brother, He didn’t pull out a bottle of aspirin, He brought his dead and stinking corpse back to life.
My point; God doesn’t play with His enemies, so don’t play with God. When you call on Jesus, know who you’re calling and know what He is capable of. This isn’t a game. This is an everlasting battle for the authority of your soul. So when you call on Jesus know that you are calling on the Creator of the universe who will come running with the entire heavenly hosts backing Him up.
And He won’t lose.