The Name of Jesus

                                    The Name of Jesus
 
                                
*  Key Verse:  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)
 
 
 
In today’s culture, the name Jesus, for the majority, flippantly flies off our tongues, without a second thought.  For some, they use it in vain, for others, used habitually only in routine, ‘in Jesus name, Amen’.  I have known a few, who see Jesus and the use of His name as a ‘I want it, to get it, use it’ mentality, like a magic wand waved over their desires.   Yet, there are those, to them the name is precious, intimate and spoken with respect.  Here is where we too, stand today.  All the names studied to this point have described God, Who and what He does, I would propose they all culminate into one name…. Jesus Christ. 

 
According to the New Testament all of God is expressed and displayed in Jesus.  ‘For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form‘ (Col. 2:9).  Jesus, Himself said in John 14:9 ‘he who has seen Me has seen the Father’.  In Acts 2:36, and Acts 17:3, it explicitly says that Jesus is the Christ.  He is the long awaited Messiah, whom over 100 prophecies were fulfilled (that alone is a study in itself),  stating –  ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’
 
* Meaning and Historical Usage:
Both Joseph (Matt. 1:21) and Mary (Luke 1:31) were instructed at different times to name the Son of God, Jesus.  I am amazed at the wisdom of God in this, no confusion, no arguments, the decision whether to name Him – Amminadab or Jeconiah, no it HAD to be Jesus. There was nothing unusual or outstanding about the name.  It was a common name, and many Jewish parents named their boys Jesus, up until the second century.  In some cultures the name is still popular. It takes the Person behind the name to unveil the true impact of the name.
 
 The name Jesus is Iesous in the Greek, (ee-ya-sooce) being used 972 times, meaning ‘salvation’. It comes from the Hebrew word Yeshua or Y’shuah, the name in which Joshua is derived. In short, it is a compound name, Yah, (Yahweh/Jehovah) – yasha (savior, deliverer) Jehovah our Savior. The name speaks of His mission and purpose to man kind, ‘to seek and save the lost’ (Lk. 19:10)
 
Andrew Murray a well known Theologian says ‘a name is a word or expression in which a person is represented to us.’  The name and title of Jesus varies as we progress through the New Testament.  The disciples knew Him first as Jesus, then the Messiah (Christ). Thus prior to His resurrection He was primarily known as Jesus Christ.   After His resurrection, He often was referred to as Christ Jesus.  Paul first knew Jesus from a heavenly perspective, (Acts 9:1-6) his experience reverse to those of the disciples, he was faced with His Lordship, then knew Him in an intimate way as Jesus. He frequently uses Christ Jesus in his writings. Even Stephen calls out when he was being stoned, ‘Lord Jesus!’ (Acts 7:59).  
There is a divine release every time the name of Jesus is used in a godly manner.  ‘At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.‘ (Phil. 2:10-11)  When there is a bowing of knee and heart, we are in what I call God space.  The world and all it has to offer ceases to exist – if only for a short moment.  There is amazing power and authority in the name.  Jesus declares 17 times ‘in my name…’    here’s a few:
 
                    Believers gather  – Matt. 18:20
                    Welcome a child – Mark 9:37
                    Receive a person in need – Mark 9:41    
                    Request for divine provision – John 14:13
                    Holy Spirit is sent – John 14:26
 
We see the disciples operating in the anointing of the Spirit through the name of Jesus, Acts 3:6-7, Peter heals the crippled man, ‘in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’.  Taking him by the hand, he helped him up and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong’.
 
We are also baptized  in the name of Jesus, this is found in what I call the  ‘Peter Package’ Acts 2:38,  ‘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’, (see also Acts 10:48).  Baptism identifies us with Jesus and with the community of believers.  We are going down in the waters dead to self, coming up alive in the character of Christ, we now share in the benefits of the fullness of God, yet also carry the responsibly of that name.  Go, do, be in MY name!
 
Getting Serious:
Satan does NOT want people to find out about the true worth of the name of Jesus.  He is afraid of the name.  ‘Signs will accompany those who believe.  In My name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues.’ (Mark 16:17)  He knows, so he does everything in his power – so we will not.  Charles Stanley writes, ‘Satan is capable of deceiving you, craftily manipulating you, and seducing you… he’s going to come back again and again.  Paul didn’t just admonish us to be strong in the Lord-he told us how to be strong’. 
 
We are told to put on the full amour of God, (Eph. 6:10-18) in doing this we are wrapping ourselves in the name and identity of Jesus Christ.  When we speak the name of Jesus and stand clothed in His nature… we are telling the devil, ‘you have to go through Jesus to get to me!  Whaoo! What an awesome thing to shove in Satan’s face!  Let’s do more ‘shoving’… feel free – shove away!  Declare ‘in Jesus name – I am a child of the King – get back and take a hike!’ (ok, so I get a little excited!)  James 4:7 (1 Pet. 5:8-9) ‘Resist the devil and he will flee’.  Most of the time, we cower in defense, SO many Christians are sitting in defeat….let’s stand and take an aggressive offense!
 
I dare to be so bold as to say, that the picture of Jesus has become so distorted that at times we still see Him on the canvas painting (and leave Him there) … picture the painting seen most often of Him, standing at the door knocking, dressed in His white rob, with a soft facial expression (true of Him)  BUT … NOW…. when you need Him most, to fight against an area that you struggle with …. picture what is found in Revelations chapter 5… He is standing… beside the throne of God, all saints and angels bow and cry out Worthy, Worthy is the Lamb… awesome!  I’m not done yet…. now we go to chapter 19… Jesus is now seen not as the slain Lamb, BUT the Victorious Warrior… (vv.11-16) ‘He sat on a white horse… His eyes are a flame of fire….He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, His name is the Word of God, on His thigh is written  KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS!’  Hebrews 13:8 ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.’  Now… Who do you want in your corner!
 
YOU are a daughter of the KING….  YOU are a son of the KING….  of the Most High God… and you know … it says in the Epistles – that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father….  BUT —- He does not hesitate to get up… from the throne, and DO BUSINESS!  Ps. 68:1 says ‘let God ARISE… let His enemies be scattered’ as He stands, everything and everyone take notice… allow Jesus to ‘arise’ on your behalf…  speak His name, if only as a whisper, allow it to grow to a loud declaration!
 
One Last Thought:
 Listed among the 10 Commandments, is the command to ‘not misuse the name of the LORD your God’, (Ex. 20:7),  ‘Lotish et Shem YHWH Eloheicha I’shav’, in the Hebrew, it can be translated ‘do not make His name worthless’.  Stop… Pause…think on that.  May we know Jesus so intimately, His name precious on our tongue.  Oh too, that we would ‘know Him that is true’ (1 John 5:20) may we (know) ‘ginosko’ Him, to become fully acquainted by experience our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
I would encourage you, spend an afternoon, thumbing through your bible, looking up all the references that refer to ‘in Jesus name’, it is astounding. 
 
 
Consider this:
1.  Look up Revelations 3:14  ‘These are the words of the __________, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation’. (NIV)  Notice the words are in red, Who is speaking and what name does He attribute to Himself?  This name meaning  ‘it is done, so be it’.  So as you stand in Jesus name, you take on ‘all’ His names and qualities.   He is the final authority on any situation or circumstance we may encounter.
 
 
 
2.  1 Cor. 1:24 says that ‘Christ is the power of God…’ meaning Jesus is extraordinary force or supernatural power.  The word is ‘dunamis’ in the Greek…. now look up these verses…. Mark 9:39, Acts 2:22, 1 Cor. 12:10, see the word ‘miracle’ – it is the same Greek word (dunamis).  It would be safe to translate, 1 Cor. 1:24 to also read, ‘that Christ is the Miracle of God.’  Is there an area of your life that you NEED Jesus to be your miracle… call on His name, the power of God.
 
 
 
3.  Same verse, 1 Cor. 1:24, continues on to say that ‘Christ is the Wisdom of God’, this wisdom is ‘sophia’ in the Greek.  Wisdom is practical, knowing how to do something that needs to be done.  James 1:5 says… ‘if any one lacks wisdom let him ask of God’.  Faced with a situation you do not know how to handle?  Seek Jesus, the ‘wisdom’ – ‘the practical solution – how to work it out’ of God.
 
 
 

Extended Challenge:    
 
For a better understanding of the phrase ‘in’ Jesus name…. go to the book of Ephesians… starting in chapter one, read slowly each phrase where it says… In Him or In Christ….  allow the Spirit to show you all the privileges you now have as a child of God.   All the while noting what Jesus did to give you those privileges.   Continue on to the end of the book, I would challenge you to read it from a couple different translations, possibly finishing up with The Message, to give a devotional feel.    
 
 
In Him, DeDe  (Ps. 92:4   ‘You thrill me LORD!’  – Keep thrilling – in Jesus Name! )