In Jesus' Name

                 It was an angel who came to Joseph and told him regarding the child to whom Mary would give birth, "...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:21)  It is a remarkable name!  This name means, "The Lord saves."  Paul in Hebrews 1:4 confirms this assessment: "So he became as much superior to angels as the name he inherited is superior to theirs."  It captures the imagination, doesn't it--a name superior to the angels?  It's a powerful name--it opens the door of the throne room of heaven.
                It's a welcoming name and a summoning name.  When any two or three come together to fellowship in that name, Jesus himself joins them (Matthew 18:20), and it is that name in which believers are baptized (Matthew 28:19).  Luke attested in Acts 4:12 that "there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which  we must be saved."
               It is a name that, when invoked in prayer, bestows the privelege of access to the attention and favor of God.  (John 14:13; 15:16)  Indeed, Jesus told his disciples on the day before his death: "Until now you have not asked anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete."  Such a promise!  I wonder if his hearers were confused?  It probably had not even occurred to them before to ask for anything in his name.  Still, it makes sense that any father would be more attentive to any request made in the name of his beloved son.  But when Jesus died for our sins and rose to give new life, the very power of that resurrection offered us joyful access to the willing ear of God!
               This name--this majestic name--is a name honored by God.  "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 acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippinas 2:9, 10)
               It is a name not to be taken lightly or spoken casually.  It is the name that should inform, motivate and direct every action and word.  "And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  (Colossians 3:17)
               It is this holy name that guarantees heaven.  "I write these things to  you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."  (John 5:13) 
               I end every prayer I speak "in Jesus' name."  I don't do this simply by habit.  I am always a little surprised when I hear Christians omit this name in their prayers.  Its not that I think they will go unheard, as if God isn't sure we belong to Jesus unless we tell him or that he legalistically requires some rote phrase as part of a ritual.  But for me it is humbling and reassuring--a reminder that I have no right to access to an audience with the King except  through His Son's name.  It is because "I have been washed, I have been sanctified..., and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)
               The name of Jesus--because of who he is, and the blood he shed--has made me clean enough to go before a holy God.  My righteousness could never buy me this privelege.  In fact, I would be rejected, unheard, and condemned!  But because I can pray in the name of Jesus, I am heard as a dearly loved and perfect child.  It makes it very precious to me to say to God, "Father, I am coming to you in the name of Jesus."