JESUS!!!!
If you are alive and breathing the mention of this name must do something to you. Whether you are elated or confounded at the mention of the name, it resonates with Power.
Why? What is so special about this name?
The name Jesus means savior, and while anyone can be a savior of sorts, when the title of savior is attributed to the almighty Jehovah, God of all, it takes on higher dimension and authority.
For example,there are many presidents, but when the title president is attributed to the President of the United States, it takes on new dimension and authority.
Today's bible reading in Acts 9, the zealot Paul is on his way to continue his work of persecuting the believers. He does not understand the message,and reacts, as many unfortunately do today, in opposition and anger to Jesus.
On the road he is met by that very Jesus, the Christ ( or anointed one), and " Trembling and astonished he asks, 'Lord, what do you want me to do'?" Jesus in response tells him to go into the city and you will be told what to do. ( Acts 9:6) He eventually meets up with Ananias. Here is the account in Paul's own words.
Acts 22:12-16
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
Paul asks Jesus what do I do, Jesus said go into the city and you will be told what to do. then Ananias prepared by God tells Paul what to do- " Be Baptized, washing away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." What name is that? The authoritative and empowered name of Jesus!
Again, in Chapter 10 Cornelius prays fervently to the Lord- this man is hungry for something from God, and in response God prepares Peter to come to him. Peter comes and preaches the Gospel to all that are in Cornelius's house.
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
In response to this outpouring Peter commanded them to be baptized, in the name of the Lord. What name is that? The authoritative and empowered name of Jesus!
This falls in line with Peters response to the street crowd's question of what should we do?
If you are alive and breathing the mention of this name must do something to you. Whether you are elated or confounded at the mention of the name, it resonates with Power.
Why? What is so special about this name?
The name Jesus means savior, and while anyone can be a savior of sorts, when the title of savior is attributed to the almighty Jehovah, God of all, it takes on higher dimension and authority.
For example,there are many presidents, but when the title president is attributed to the President of the United States, it takes on new dimension and authority.
Today's bible reading in Acts 9, the zealot Paul is on his way to continue his work of persecuting the believers. He does not understand the message,and reacts, as many unfortunately do today, in opposition and anger to Jesus.
On the road he is met by that very Jesus, the Christ ( or anointed one), and " Trembling and astonished he asks, 'Lord, what do you want me to do'?" Jesus in response tells him to go into the city and you will be told what to do. ( Acts 9:6) He eventually meets up with Ananias. Here is the account in Paul's own words.
Acts 22:12-16
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
Paul asks Jesus what do I do, Jesus said go into the city and you will be told what to do. then Ananias prepared by God tells Paul what to do- " Be Baptized, washing away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." What name is that? The authoritative and empowered name of Jesus!
Again, in Chapter 10 Cornelius prays fervently to the Lord- this man is hungry for something from God, and in response God prepares Peter to come to him. Peter comes and preaches the Gospel to all that are in Cornelius's house.
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
In response to this outpouring Peter commanded them to be baptized, in the name of the Lord. What name is that? The authoritative and empowered name of Jesus!
This falls in line with Peters response to the street crowd's question of what should we do?
Acts 2:38
37 Now when they heard this [the gospel], they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The saving power, the blood applying power, is in the name Jesus! In the words of Paul, no other name given among men, by which we must be saved ( Acts 4:12)
No Other name, by which we MUST be saved. No other.
Why? Because Jehovah chose to be more than Jireh ( provider), Rapha (healer), Rohi( shepherd), Shalom (peace).... He chose out of his passionate love to be Yeshua ( Savior), or in the Greek, Iesus (Jesus in translation).
The name Jesus encompasses all of the separate names into one, as Isaiah puts it: His [the son's] name ( singular) will be called counsellor, prince of Peace, Father, mighty God. When we call JESUS we capture everything God is to us and for us.
So how will you respond to this name?
Comments
Thank you for bringing the truth this morning!