If ever a name was packed with significance, it is the name of Jesus.
The scripture says that Jesus was given the name that is precious:
« Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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)
What does the name Jesus mean?
The name of Jesus, announced to Joseph and Mary by the angels (Matthew 1.21; Luke 1.31), comes from the ancient Greek Ἰησοῦς, Iēsoûs, itself coming from the ancient Hebrew first name ישוע, Iéshua or Yeshua (and has the same root as Joshua).
This word means “God saves” or “God delivers.”
Why is the name of our Lord so powerful?
1. Salvation is in the name of Jesus alone:
“Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 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; see also John 14:6; 20:31; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 2:12)
2. Forgiveness of sins is received through the name of Jesus:
“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name”(Acts 10:43; see also 22:16)
3. Believers are baptized in the name of Jesus: “Peter replied, ‘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; see also Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:12,15–16; 10:48; 19:5)
4. Healing and miracles were performed in the name of Jesus:
“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see”(Acts 3:16; see also verses 6–8 and 4:30).
5. And Jesus teaches believers to pray in His name; that is, to pray, in His authority, the type of prayer that He would pray:
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it”.(John 14:13–14; see also 15:16; 16:23–24)
In the Bible, when people spoke or acted in the name of Jesus, they did so as the Lord’s representatives with His authority. The very life of the believer is to be lived in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17) and by doing so bring glory to God: “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”(2 Thessalonians 1:12)
The name of Jesus is powerful.
PRAYER:
Lord our God, grant us power to live in the name of Jesus.
It is in the precious name of your very son Jesus Christ that we pray, Amen.
THE LION OF JUDAH MINISTRY IN THE WORLD©
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KIGALI – RWANDA