A Season of Hope ~ Preparing our Hearts for Easter
Phillipians 2: 9-11
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
JESUS.
That Name draws a host of emotions from believers as well as for unbelievers. In today’s culture, the Name of Jesus prompts reactions such as, contempt, derision, disrespect, and even profanity. Many regard Him as “just another path to God” or “just a good man.” It’s quite the opposite from those of us who have placed our faith and trust in Christ and express reverence, awe, worship and love. The Name gives great comfort, security and even access to God Himself when we call upon the name of Jesus. From early days of our Christian walk, my husband and I have had confidence that God hears and will answer because we always pray in the Name—the powerful Name of Jesus.
What does the Bible tell us about the Name? Firstly, in Matthew we are told what name Joseph and Mary were to give their newborn baby, “…the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus.’” And then, secondly, they are told why: “’for He shall save His people from their sins.’”
The one called Jesus came to save us, and when we receive His gift of salvation, through faith by grace, this is what we receive:
• J: we are Justified at the moment we place our faith in Jesus; God declares that we are justified in Him. Rom.5:1
• E: we receive Eternal life and can be confident that when we are justified we will spend eternity with Him. John 5:24
• S: we are Sanctified as we grow in Him as a new creation; we begin the process of Sanctification, conforming to the image of the Son of God after we are justified. Col. 3:10. We also are set apart—holy—different from the rest of the world.
• U: we are Unified and sealed with Jesus by His Holy Spirit, enabling us to have fellowship with Him. We are called to be in unity and to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4: 1-6
• S: we receive the good Shepherd, Who leads, restores, guides, “for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23: 1-3
Thirdly, and most importantly, the Bible tells us that we should always pray in the Name. (Jn 14:13) When we receive Jesus, we receive access to the throne of Almighty God, giving us the authority, confidence and boldness to humbly ask God for answers to our prayers. Praying in the Name of Jesus means we are representing the living Christ, and that we know Him by name. It signifies that we are praying in agreement with the will of the Father, by the power of the Name of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, as if Jesus Himself were praying our prayer for us. When our hearts align with God, the power that is released will change our lives and perhaps even our world. So, pray the Name, the Name above every Name.
JESUS.
Dear Father, in this Lenten season, may our love, trust and reverence for the Lord Jesus be renewed. We are reminded of the beauty of the Name, the resurrection power that comes from the Name, the shelter and safety provided in the Name and the access we have to You, O God, by praying in the powerful Name of Jesus. Thank you for JESUS, and for all we have in Him. Amen.
“Your Name”
As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
and glorify Your Name.
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name.
Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
and glorify Your Name.
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name.
~ lyrics by Paul Baloche
