Today's Scripture Reflection
Shireen David, Director of Mission & Outreach
God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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

If you are familiar with the Spiderman superhero character, you may remember the famous words that Peter Parker’s uncle Ben says to him: “With great power comes great responsibility.” That’s just good advice for anyone with power, and especially for Christ-followers with direct access to supernatural power! 

Friends, there is power in the Name of Christ. It is not a magical incantation. Rather, it is the power that comes when we put out trust in Jesus and become co-heirs with Him – children of the King of kings! 

One of my favorite Biblical accounts of the power in the Name of Jesus is the story of Blind Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus (Mark 10:46 – 52). This man begged by the roadside on the outskirts of Jericho. One day Jesus and his followers happened to be walking by, and the buzz in the crowd reached Bart’s ears. So what does Bart do? He does what anyone who needs a miracle would do, he shouted “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He called on the name of Jesus. Hearing this, Jesus stopped and asked Bart, “What do you want me to do for you?” This was Bart’s chance to boldly ask for his miracle, so he responded, “Rabbi, I want to see.” A simple, yet life-changing request. “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Reading further in the Bible, we know that Jesus commanded his disciples to Baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If you read ahead in the Book of Acts, you will find His disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit performing miracles in the Name of Jesus!

There is power in the Name of Jesus. My first inkling of this as a child was when my mom would send my brother and I off to school. She wold place her hands on our heads and pray in the Name of Jesus. This was part of our household routine from Kindergarten through my senior year. Every day, without fail, we would meet mom at the front door for her blessing and protection, all in the “powerful Name of Jesus!” (direct mom quote)

How often do we access this supernatural power by calling on the Name of Jesus? Personally, I often forget, and instead bang my head against the proverbial wall to come up with an answer! Dear friends, the next time you pray, no matter what or whom you pray for, I encourage you to pray in the powerful Name of Jesus. We have the privilege and responsibility to lean into the power of praying in the Name of Jesus. It is our inheritance as children of God.

Praying in Jesus’ Name,
Shireen
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"Let Us Pray"
Book of Common Prayer, p213
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name
of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart,
we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our
Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Something More to Chew On
Hillsong: What a Beautiful Name
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