ICS Daily Devotions
What’s in a Name?
Whenever someone ‘name drops’, that person is usually using his connections to boost his image or further his cause. That’s because the name of a person carries a meaning and at times it can carry a lot of authority. Often times, the name of a famous person is associated with his social status, his achievements and his influence in society. What about the name of Jesus? He who was born at Christmas 2000 years ago.
The name Jesus means Savior and it is the same name as Joshua in the Old Testament. It is given to our Lord because “He saves His people from their sins”. This is His special role.
He saves them from the guilt of sin, by cleansing them in His own atoning blood. He saves them from the dominion of sin by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when He shall give them glorious bodies at the last day.
The name of Jesus is backed by deity.
Luke 1:30-31 (NKJV) Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
The angel was dispatched from the throne of God to bring a message to Mary regarding the incarnation and the name to be given to the son. The name Jesus was chosen in heaven by the Heavenly Father.
Jesus was present at the time of creation. He is the Word that created the entire creation and it is His word that is upholding everything that we see. It is God’s love towards us that He sent Jesus to be born through the virgin Mary in a manger in Bethlehem. The name Jesus was given by God, the Father.
Jesus wants you to use His name to accomplish His will on earth and to set the captives free!
John 16:24 (NKJV) Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Up until that point, people were not using Jesus’ name in their prayer life. Jesus was instructing them that if they wanted their prayers to be answered, they have to be asked in Jesus’ name! There is only one name that move the angels to work and that is the name of Jesus.
Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Jesus guaranteed that His presence is with us whenever and wherever we are gathered in His name. We can be assured that God backs up that name with His presence with us. We can have faith and confidence of His presence and the answers to prayers when they are done in His Name.
This is the only name that causes heaven to act and hell to tremble. God has invested everything into the name of Jesus. There is no other name to be saved by, except through Jesus. His name is far above every other name (Ephesians 1:20-21). Jesus has been given ALL authority in heaven and on earth. And He has given the Church the vested authority to set the captives free, to cast out demons and to heal the sick. ALL authority belongs to Jesus and the demonic forces will bow to His name. There is tremendous power in the name of Jesus. Use it! As Christmas is drawing near again, let us remember this name and all the power that comes with it. JESUS!
Sermon Series: Christmas
