The Name of Jesus

Reading Time: 8 min.

Ask the Father in Jesus’ Name

Shortly before Jesus was arrested He spoke to His chosen twelve disciples about His soon return to the Father. Up to that day, they had always asked Jesus for everything. He was their connection to the Father. But soon they would be able to go straight to the Father and ask Him for anything in Jesus’ name.

Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.

I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.  In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.  I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” John 16:22-28 WEB

The Separating Veil Was Torn

When Jesus died on the cross, the Temple veil separating man from the Holy of Holies ripped open! His death made it possible for us to come straight into the presence of God. Jesus is the way to the Father (John 14:6). We now communicate directly to the Father, the highest authority, in the name of Jesus.

We are Reconciled with the Father

Our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection makes it possible for us to be born again by the Spirit. We became one with God. Now we have full access to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit because we are His children!

Signs of Faith in Jesus’ Name

When Jesus rose from the dead, He rebuked His disciples for not believing in the miracle of resurrection. They were told by witnesses that Jesus was alive but they didn’t believe it until they saw Him in person.

Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table; and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen.  He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation. 

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.  These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Matthew 16:14-18 WEB

In the same way, the Lord wants us to believe, or at least grow our faith. We can do miracles, healings, etc. in the name of Jesus. Miracles bring the name of Jesus great glory. They declare the love of our Father for mankind, especially when accompanied by sharing the Good News of Jesus! So, let’s ask the Father to increase our faith.

The Fruit of Love

We are saved, not by self-righteous works, but by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. But after we are miraculously born again, the Holy Spirit produces God’s fruit in us and through us. His love lives in us and is the motivation and power for everything we do.

This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:12-16 WEB

God is Love

Whatever we ask the Father in the name of Jesus– He will give it to us if we are following the Holy Spirit. We shut-out the Holy Spirit through unforgiveness, dishonoring others, jealousy, etc.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

The Father cannot work mightily through us if we still hold on to selfish desires. We must ask the Lord to forgive us and to cleanse our hearts of anything that is not God’s love. If we are sincere, He will forgive us. The Lord will deliver us from demons and bring us into right standing with Him again (James 4:1-10).

In Jesus’ Name for the Father’s Glory

I am increasingly intrigued by the love, honor, glory, reverence and praise that Jesus continually gave the Father. He wants our focus to be upon the Father as well to experience His extravagant love in greater measure. Our asking should always be for the Father’s glory.

Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you  John 14:11-17 NLT

Living in the Atmosphere of God’s Presence

God has seated us together with Him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)! We must treasure the atmosphere of God’s love through the Holy Spirit. But the atmosphere of God’s presence is also power to do supernatural things for His glory. We must also believe that God wants to work powerfully through His children! Then we can ask anything in the name of Jesus and God will do it for us. This abiding in God’s love and power is not selfish. It is full submission to His will.

Lord– Extend Your Hand in the Name of Jesus

Peter and John were arrested and interrogated by religious leaders because they were sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Instead of shrinking in fear, they preached the message of Jesus to them! After ordering Peter and John to not speak in the name of Jesus, they were released. They found the other believers, and together they lifted their voices to God in unity of mind praying:

“And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”  And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-30 NASB

This precious early church made sure the poor were taken care of. They loved one another by the Spirit and desired to bring others into the Kingdom of God. They loved from a pure heart. Miracles, signs, wonders and healings continued to happen because they obeyed God rather than men. They loved like their Father and they kept on speaking in the name of Jesus!

The Father’s Reward

The Holy Spirit was given to us for a reason, and our obedience to His lead matters. We never do anything for God to get a reward. That would imply that we can earn points with God. There are rewards in Heaven, but they are not given to hearts of selfish nature. They are given to the humble– those truly caring for the needs of others by the Spirit.

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Mark 9:41 NKJV

Hearts full of the Spirit’s love are ready to carry the name of Jesus– and the Father will be glorified!

WEB (World English Bible) is a public domain English language translation of the Bible that can be used without permissions and restrictions.