What’s in a Name?
The name of Jesus Christ is powerful. The mere mention of His name produces a very strong reaction by virtually anyone who has heard of Him. No other name has that affect on people. That is because God has lifted the name of Jesus Christ above all names. He has given power to the name of Jesus Christ.
When people take the name of Jesus Christ name in vain they unintentionally attest to the power of His name. People don’t profane the name of other spiritual leaders or deities. People don’t swear in the name of Buddha or Muhammad. That’s because those other names are simply names. Those names do not have any power.
The only names that people intentionally take in vain is the name of God and the name of Jesus Christ. Since the word “god” means different things to different people, most people (other than atheists) will tolerate the mention of that word. But mention the name of Jesus Christ and notice the reaction you get from people. No other name has that power.
God Exalted the Name of Jesus Christ
Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2: 6-11)
Jesus Christ was totally obedient to the Father. He humbled Himself and completed what God sent Him here to do. Therefore God has exalted Jesus Christ and gave Him the name that is above all names. The very name of Jesus Christ is powerful.
People have very strong opinions about Jesus Christ. The people of this world bristle at the mention of His name. No other name is as divisive. No other name is as powerful. The “name above all names” is the name of Jesus Christ.
Demons Knew the Holy Identity of Jesus Christ
23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” (Matthew 29: 23-27)
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. (Matthew 29: 32-34)
Demons recognized Jesus Christ as the Holy One of God and they feared Him. If Jesus told them to be silent, they had to be silent. When Jesus drove out the demons, they had no choice but to obey Him.
Even the Name of Jesus is Powerful Over Demons
16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10: 16-17)
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2: 19)
Jesus’ disciples were able to cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. This was even before God’s Holy Spirit had been received by the disciples. The very name of Jesus Christ was enough to force the demons to submit.
Jesus’ Name is Powerful Even for Unbelievers
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7: 21-23)
Even people who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are able to drive out demons in Jesus’ name. His name is that powerful. However when the time of judgment comes, Jesus will deny those who used His name but did not truly love and follow Him.
Whatever You Ask in Jesus’ Name
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 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. (John 14: 12-14)
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. (John 16: 23-27)
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18: 18-19)
When we pray in Jesus’ name, anything that we ask which glorifies the Father in the Son will be done. When two of Jesus Christ’s followers are in agreement about anything they ask for, it will be done for them. Of course, this is contingent upon the requests being in keeping with God’s will and for His glory.
There is No Other Name Under Heaven by Which We Must Be Saved
11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4: 11-12)
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