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CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
Anita
My name is personal, specific and identifies me with others. Some of us have endearing nicknames that indicate special relationships. Regardless, we are known by our name — and hope that is good, right?
In Philippians 2:9-11, Jesus’ name is regarded as a “name above all names.”
Jesus is our God and Savior, and the meaning of His name is “He saves” (2 Peter 1:1).
Isaiah 53:2-12 describes Jesus as our suffering servant who loved and suffered on our behalf.
Jesus is the mediator between us and God. He is the only go-between, as God established. He provides access to God, and that’s why we pray in His name (I Tim. 2:5).
And, Hebrews 8:6 calls this a superior ministry. He intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34).
I recall a minister I knew who visited a young woman after her surgery. She was a recovering addict and chose no anesthesia for a hysterectomy. Of course, her pain was excruciating.
The minister knew he had little to offer: no drugs, no relief in the physical realm, only prayer. But as he prayed, he noticed her thrashing subside and how she began indicating relief.
He realized that praying in Jesus’ name was what he gave her ease, and that action was merely a conduit reaching out to Jesus. His prayer was like a set of battery cables, attaching to the power source on her behalf.
I think I’ll always remember him telling this story. Our intercessory prayer is a conduit.
God hears. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we approach with His authority (John 14:13-14). Praying in His name expresses our willingness to stay within the boundaries of Jesus’ character, indicating we pray according to His will.
Our name has no merit with God, only Jesus’ name has this distinction.
Be encouraged today, for Jesus is our merciful and faithful high priest (Heb. 2:17). He opens His arms and invites us to come to Him, for He will sympathize with our weakness.
It’s comforting to remember that He knows us intimately, and yet, loves us most.
Jesus paid the price of Atonement with God. This season of Lent is a good time to reflect on the price He paid, and because of that payment we have access to God, and to pray in Jesus’ Name.
Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? I pray so. Until next week, Anita
Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
