What’s in a Name?

 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

John 14:13 (NIV)

                When I was a boy, I was taught to end my prayers with the phrase, “in Jesus’ name”. I never gave it much thought at the time. It was just the way we did it. It was like saying goodbye to God. Throughout the years I have realized that for many people the phrase, in Jesus’ name, has become a rote response. For others, it has unconsciously become the magic words that assure that their prayers will be answered.

                We didn’t invent the idea of praying in Jesus’ name. Jesus himself told us to do it. As Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure, He instructed them to ask for what they need in His name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:24 (NIV)) So what did Jesus mean when He instructed His disciples to ask in His name?

                He didn’t mean to use the name “Jesus” as some kind of magical incantation. He meant for them to ask under His authority. That is really what it means to ask “in Jesus’ name”. We need to understand that “name” in this case does not refer to a moniker, but to the very character, personality, and authority of Jesus.

                We often use “name” to refer to a person’s reputation. John has a good name in the business world. Sue has a good name among other doctors. People work very hard to establish a good name among their peers and in society. Their name comes to represent who they are. To have a good name means to have a positive reputation; to be known as a person of integrity and honesty. To have a bad name is to be known as a person that cannot be trusted. Jesus had the best name. Even His enemies could not deny His character.

                But a name means even more. To act in another person’s name is to act under their authority. An ambassador for the United States acts under the authority of the President, under his name. A salesperson acts under the name of the company they work for. When a salesperson makes a promise concerning their product, they are promising on behalf of the company. The company’s reputation depends upon the integrity of the salesperson.

                To take it one step further, to act in the name of another gives that person the right to exercise certain functions. As a pastor in Minnesota, I was authorized to perform wedding ceremonies, in the name of the State. As a legal representative for the State of Minnesota, I was able to certify a wedding as legitimate. An ambassador for the United States has the authority to make certain, limited agreements with other countries, in the name of the United States.

                If we put these things together, we get a clearer picture of what it means to pray in Jesus’ name. First, it means that we are affirming Jesus’ reputation and authority. We are recognizing Him as our Lord and Master. Second, it means that we are submitting our request under His authority. In effect, we are asking His permission. We are saying, this is what I want to happen, but I am yielding to your will. Finally, it means that we are exercising our limited ability to act on Jesus’ behalf. To pray in Jesus’ name is to claim the limited authority He has given to us to act on His behalf in our world.

                To pray in Jesus’ name should not be a flippant or mindless exercise in outward piety. We should consider carefully what we are doing. We are submitting our will to His will. That means we have to leave the outcome fully in His hands. We are not in control, Jesus is. We can make our request, but Jesus has the final say about the outcome. To pray in Jesus’ name does not guarantee the outcome we desire. Instead, it seeks Jesus’ intervention and recognizes His right to be in control. Therefore, Jesus has the right to answer our prayers in ways differently from what we expect, according to His divine will and purposes.

                What’s in a name? The very power of God unleashed into our lives.

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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)