Name of Jesus

Little did the disciples understand the power of the name of Jesus. As this chapter continues, Jesus explained to them that anything they would ask the Father in His name, the Father would do!

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
(John 14:12-14, King James Version)

Sometimes verses in the Bible get to be so familiar that we tend to overlook their depth. That is certainly the case in these verses from John 14. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said,

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Do you believe that? It is easy for me to give a quick assent, but when I examine my own life, I must admit that many times I do not live as though it is true. How little I use this God-given power in my daily life.

What power do we lack in our spiritual lives because we have so little faith in this great Lord and Savior we love and worship? Do we understand how much we have in Him. Not only do we have salvation, but all of the days we live on this earth, we can do so in His strength and power. He is with us 24/7--no matter where we are and no matter what we are doing.

I also was struck with John 14:12. Why was it necessary for Jesus to go to the Father so that we could do even greater works than He did while on this earth? I guess that begs the question, do we do greater works?

Two things happened when Jesus went to the Father. First, He conquered death for all of us; as He was resurrected, so will we be resurrected. Second, He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us in the way we should go.

Because death has been conquered, we need not fear anything this world sends to us. Death is no longer our enemy, for with our death will come our glorious reunion with God the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, because we have the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us, we need not stumble on the path, or live as those who have no hope! It is important that we read and study God's Word, for it is our only guide for faith and for living this life in a manner pleasing to Him. What a blessing that the Holy Spirit guides us through our reading and helps us to understand the great truths given to us in our Bibles.

Let us pray, then, that God will give us the grace to listen to His leading through the Holy Spirit within us and that we will believe that Jesus will do anything that we ask in His name.

Jesus is a wonderful Savior, He will carry you through!

The following hymn by William C. Martin, beautifully expresses these thoughts:

The Name of Jesus is so sweet,
I love its music to repeat;
It makes my joys full and complete,
The precious Name of Jesus!

Refrain

“Jesus,” O how sweet the Name!
“Jesus,” every day the same;
“Jesus,” let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever!

I love the Name of Him Whose heart
Knows all my griefs and bears a part;
Who bids all anxious fears depart,
I love the Name of Jesus!

That Name I fondly love to hear,
It never fails my heart to cheer;
Its music dries the falling tear,
Exalt the Name of Jesus!

No word of man can ever tell
How sweet the Name I love so well;
O let its praises ever swell,
O praise the Name of Jesus!

Next: Another Comforter - Verses 15-18