As He is, so He does

When we pray, we often pray ‘in the name of Jesus’.  That’s a good thing to do, but what does it actually mean?  In this week’s readings, we learn a lot about the name of Jesus.  And we also learn a lot about what that meant for Jesus at the time and what it means for us today. 

We join the story in John 11, as Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.  Immediately, Jesus says, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”  And Martha, who knows Jesus well, replies, “...you are the Christ, the Son of God”. 

A few days later, Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph (John 12).  An excited crowd shouts, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Blessed is the King of Israel!”  Both are true, and Jesus then talks of Himself as ‘the Light’, and ‘One sent by God’. 

In chapter 13, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet to show them that they are to be servants like him, even though Jesus himself is known, rightly, as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’.  He is a servant first and foremost, and only seeks to glorify His Father. 

And chapter 14 contains some of Jesus’ most famous words about Himself: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”  But our readings in John finish with, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may (continue to) bring glory to the Father.  You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.” 

Jesus’ names describe His status, His character and His actions.  When we ask for something in Jesus’ name, we are asking in accordance with His name, i.e. His character.  So when we ask for something that is His will and which fits with His character, we can be sure that He will do it.  But if we ask for something that is not His will, or which goes against His character, He won’t, or rather can’t, do it.   

Have a look at Psalm 34.  We read about a God who “...answered me; He delivered me from all my fears” and whose “ears are attentive to their (our) cry.”  The Lord listens and answers, but remember that He cannot do anything outside of His character and His will.   

We can pray ‘in the name of Jesus’ with confidence, but remembering that Jesus’ name is His character.  The more we know Him, the more we will know His character and His will, and the more effective our prayer becomes.  So when we pray, it’s good to listen to what God is saying and then to pray with faith and absolute confidence in Jesus and everything He accomplished on the cross, knowing that you are truly praying in Jesus’ name.  And “...anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”  When we pray in the name of Jesus, we allow God’s will to be done and because of this, both the Father and the Son are glorified.