Power in the Name of Jesus
Tuesday, June 15
Power in the Name of Jesus
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. Philippians 2:9, 10
Considerable thought goes into choosing a name for a new baby. I know this because in 2016, I found myself having to make this decision. Pregnant with my now four year old, my husband and I just could not settle on a name. Names are chosen for a variety of reasons, but it is usually the parents who decide on the name. Lucky for Mary and Joseph there was no debate about the name of the child to be born to them. Although tradition called for the Child to be named after his father, Jesus received His name from heaven; it was announced to Mary and Joseph by angels.
According to Matthew, an “angel of the Lord” also appeared to Joseph and told him, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:21)
The name given by the angels is remarkably significant and powerful. The meaning of Jesus’ name is ‘Yahweh saves’. It reveals the reason why He came (to save and deliver) and His identity as ‘Savior of the world’. The name is so powerful because Jesus died on the cross and rose again, thus defeating all the powers of darkness. We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us when we place our faith in Jesus as our Lord.
So we see the name of Jesus is all powerful because it represents “God With us” Because of His presence with us we now can be restored back to a relationship with God the Father.
The name of Jesus is powerful for salvation, because it rests solely on the finished work of the cross. ‘Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which must be saved’ (Acts 4:12). In our inter-faith culture this truth is generally unacceptable. However, we who profess to love Jesus are called to witness to His saving power in our messed-up world. The name of Jesus gives us power and authority to do so without fear or compromise, even in the face of opposition.
Prayer for today: Dear God, thank You for Jesus, who bears the name above all names, and for the power in His name. Please fill me afresh today with Your Holy Spirit, and with passion for Jesus, so that Your purposes will be fulfilled through my life today. Amen.