Third Day – “In Jesus’ Name” (Devotional)

There is power in the name of Jesus, but there didn’t used to be. Before Joseph was commanded by the angel in Matthew 1 to call his son Jesus, the name was in common usage. This is why when Jesus began his public ministry he was distinguished from everyone else, including his followers, with that name by being called Jesus of Nazareth.

The full meaning of the name – ‘God saves’ – only became a reality when the Son of God became flesh and had that name bestowed upon him.

Before long, boys stopped being called Jesus because the name was synonymous with just one person- Jesus the Christ. Within a few years of his earthly ministry, millions of people knew who Jesus was when the name was mentioned, and discovered the power that the name held.

The song ‘In Jesus Name’ is rich in scriptural references. In the first verse there are echoes of a passage in Isaiah 42. They foretell the ministry of Jesus the Messiah and declares: ΓÇ£I am the Lord; that is my name!ΓÇ¥ whilst the chorus blends together the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2: ΓÇ£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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.ΓÇ¥ 

Jesus is indeed the name above all names – the name by which we are saved. Through him we can cast out demons and even raise the dead, for which

His followers are willing to die for the name which ultimately will cause all of creation to bow down and worship. Followers of Jesus have the privilege of being able to pray ‘in the name of Jesus.’ It brings the holy and awesome power of God to bear in our circumstances and situation, it places us in His eternal purposes and defeats the evil one. It’s by that very name that we are ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

John 1:12

Written by Nigel James (THIRD DAYΓÇÖs Road Pastor)