by Emily Wooten
Matthew 28:18–20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 14:12-14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 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.
The name of Jesus is precious and we should recognize the power it represents.
One day at three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the temple for prayer. There was a crippled man setting at the temple gate, who was begging for help.
Acts 3:4-7 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Peter and John must have passed that way often. Perhaps they had seen this man before. This time Peter was led by the Spirit to do something. He and John didn’t have money to offer but the power in the name of Jesus was exactly what he needed.
Today the name of Jesus is just as powerful as it was when Peter spoke it and saw the crippled man receive strength. God has commissioned each Christian to teach. Jesus said: “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:”
One of the things Jesus commanded us to do is to ask the Father in Jesus name.
Respect for the name of Jesus is something we learn as we grow. Peter and John did not tell every cripple to rise up and walk. There may have been others there that day who needed God’s help. Recognizing the need and knowing how to address the situation is something the Holy Spirit wants to teach us.
The disciples came back from their missionary trip and were excited that the name of Jesus was instrumental in working miracles.
Luke 10: 17-20 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
The most important message we can bring is the message that Jesus died, was resurrected and lives to provide our freedom from hell and all the works of darkness. There is freedom in the name of Jesus.