Asking in Jesus’ Name

Season 3 Episode 11 -- Have you ever noticed how often we can slip into using “Christian phrases” in our everyday life, without fully understanding what the words mean?  For example, so many of us (including myself) typically end our prayers with the words “in Jesus’ name.”  

Recently, I began to wonder what the phrase “in Jesus’ name” really means.  So, I went before the Lord, and asked Him to guide me in the Scriptures to a better understanding of the concept of asking “in My name.”  Listen and find out what I discovered!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast, where I share what I am learning about following Jesus, through applying eternal biblical principles to life, in practical ways.  Not religion, but RELATIONSHIP - relationship with Jesus!
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily.
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Worship Is My Weapon" podcast by Rita Springer:  https://youtu.be/RucXhr1zYGU?si=WeVTpssmUP4rMXlL 

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

Have you ever noticed how often we can slip into using “Christian phrases” in our everyday life, without fully understanding what the words mean?  For example, so many of us (including myself) typically end our prayers with the words “in Jesus’ name.”  

Recently, I began to wonder what the phrase “in Jesus’ name” really means.  So, I went before the Lord, and asked Him to guide me in the Scriptures to a better understanding of the concept of asking “in My name.”  I immediately discovered that there are many instances of this concept.  Here are a few:

John 14:13-14 NASB  "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  (14)  "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

John 16:23-24 NASB  "In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.  (24)  "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

Observation:  Taken at face value, these verses make it sound as if we just say the “magic” words “in the name of Jesus”, and we will get whatever we ask for.

But what does asking “in My name” really mean?  When I looked at the Greek word translated as “name,” I gained some valuable insights.

Name = onoma (Greek).  Name, authority, character. (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)

So, I realized that asking “in My name” means asking consistent with the authority and character of Jesus. This became increasingly clear as I looked at other related passages.

The authority of Jesus:

·         Matthew 8:5-10, 13 HCSB  When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,  (6)  "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!"  (7)  "I will come and heal him," He told him.  (8)  "Lord," the centurion replied, "I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured.  (9)  For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."  (10)  Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following Him, "I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! (13)  Then Jesus told the centurion, "Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you." And his servant was cured that very moment.

o   Application:  Asking in Jesus’ name means that, like the centurion, we acknowledge the authority of Jesus that is inherent in His name.

·         Philippians 2:10 TPT  The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm.

o   Application:  Asking in Jesus’ name means that our requests acknowledge the authority inherent in His name.

The character of Jesus:

·         John 15:7 NASB  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

o   Application:  Asking in Jesus’ name means that we are abiding in Jesus (resting and living in Him) and His words are abiding in us.  We are reading, reflecting on, and acting on the Bible (where His words are recorded), so that our hearts are changed.  We have a relationship with Jesus as our Savior.  We are letting our walk with Jesus shape and influence our requests.

·         1 John 3:19-22 NIV  This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence:  (20)  If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.  (21)  Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God  (22)  and receive from Him anything we ask, because we keep His commands and do what pleases Him.  

o   Application:  Asking in Jesus’ name means that we have a clear conscience before God.  Our hearts do not condemn us.  We are living as God has called us to live.  This keeps our requests consistent with the character of Jesus.

·         James 4:3 NASB  You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.  

o   Application:  Asking in Jesus’ name means that we are asking with proper motives.  Our motives are based on serving God and others, not ourselves.  This keeps our requests consistent with the character of Jesus.  Asking with wrong motives is, therefore, not asking “in My name.”

Let’s summarize these insights by looking again at our opening verse:

John 14:13-14 NLT  You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  (14)  Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, [consistent with My authority and character,] and I will do it!

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”