So many Christians ignorantly use this phrase that I’d like to look at John 14 today and clarify what “in Jesus name” means when it’s used in Scripture.
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” - John 14:13-14 (ESV)
The first point I want to make is that to pray in Jesus name, we need to pray according to Christ’s will, Christ’s purposes, and for the furtherance of Christ’s kingdom. Prayer was never designed to be used for our own selfish and shallow reasons. Jesus was NOT giving the Disciples, or us, a “name it and claim it” secret formula. To pray in Jesus’ name may be better described as, praying consistent with totality of Jesus Christ.
Let me clarify, have you ever heard the expression, “Stop in the Name of the Law?” It was often used in the old western movies. Thieves and crooks were supposed to stop when the sheriff yelled “Stop in-the-name-of-the-law.” Were the bad guys supposed to stop because of the magic words at the end of the Sheriff’s command? No. The expression was meant to demand compliance because of all the word “Law” is, all that it means, and all that it stands for. Similarly Jesus was telling His disciples (the men who knew His character better than anyone else) that God’s hand will move when they pray for things consistent with the totality of all that Jesus is, all that Jesus means, and all that Jesus stands for.
Secondly, we need to pray in humility. Scripture says whatever we “ask” in Jesus’ name. Not demand, command, or even expect, but ask. We want the results of our prayers to be based on Christ’s merit and righteousness, which is why we are to ask in Jesus' name and not our own. If the results of our prayers were dependent on anything we have done, anything we deserve, or any of our personal worthiness, we would be in serious trouble. God is not bound to action because we are skilled enough to follow some formula correctly (neither is Satan for that matter).
Finally, our prayers need to glorify Christ. This verse tells us that God will act on prayers so “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The things we typically pray for: health, safety, and security, are noticeably absent when prayer is modeled for us in Scripture. In fact in Matthew 6 we are actually commanded not to worry about these type things but to “seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness.” The prayers we find in scripture always down play self, and center on furthering Christ’s purposes and kingdom. If your prayers are more focused on yourself and the things that surround you rather than things that will bring glory to Jesus, you need to reevaluate your prayer life.
Even today a “name” is a precious thing. People will go to great lengths to keep theirs from being slandered or misrepresented. When a loved one dies we do things like make donations and start charities in their name. When we love someone we want to see their name and reputation honored and respected. Likewise our prayers need to honor glorify who Jesus is (His name), and not misrepresent His character or His will.
Do we have to use one of the Jesus-name variations at the end of our prayers? No, not specifically. As Christians, God will still hear our prayers if we leave the expression off, but we need to make sure we are seeking to honor Jesus’ name and glorify him with the content of our humble prayers. We need to make sure that first and foremost we are praying for God’s will to be done. Next, we need to study our Bible. The more we learn and know about Jesus, the better we’ll be able to truly pray consistent with totality of Jesus Christ - in His name.
0 comments:
Post a Comment