The passage that we read yesterday contains repeated references to the idea of speaking in Jesus’ name. Peter had healed a crippled man “in Jesus’ name” and then the Jewish leaders forbade Peter and John from speaking to anyone in this name. It was a vexing problem for these leaders, particularly because they thought they had gotten rid of ‘the Jesus problem’ by handing Jesus over to be killed. Now, however, the problem was coming back through the apostles. Even today people are trying to get rid of Christians and eradicate the name of Jesus from the world. But they won’t succeed. Jesus just won’t go away. Jesus will keep coming back through the people he raises up. There will always be people who will represent Jesus and will do so to the very death. You and I can represent Jesus and when we do, when we act and speak in Jesus’ name, Jesus will put all the resources of heaven behind us. “In Jesus’ name” is not a magic formula that you paste onto the end of a prayer. It is a statement of faith and commitment. It says that you do not consider your life to be your own. When you pray for people in Jesus’ name you are acting as his representative. How often do we say, “In Jesus’ name” without realising the implications of what we are saying? If you have given your life to Jesus then you are you living “in Jesus’ name”. Make sure then that your life and prayers are aligned with his agenda.
Commit yourself to the cause of Christ.
Read Acts 3:1 – 4:22
