Have you ever had a nickname that just didn’t fit? Maybe you were the “Tiny” who stood six feet tall, or the “Curly” who was as bald as a billiard ball. Nicknames can be humorous, sometimes a little mean-spirited, and often depict the complete opposite of who we are. I remember being called “Slug” by some friends growing up – a name I initially laughed off, but in hindsight, it definitely bruised my ego. But as I grew older and became more athletic, that name thankfully didn’t stick.
Our earthly names, whether the ones given to us or the nicknames we acquire, have varying degrees of significance. Historically, surnames didn’t even become widely adopted until after the Norman Conquest in England in 1066, primarily due to population growth and the practical need to distinguish individuals within a community. People were identified by their occupation, place of origin, father’s name, or even physical characteristics.
This historical naming convention isn’t too far removed from the Old Testament understanding of names. Biblical names often reflected a person’s character, a significant event they were connected to, or even held prophetic weight. A name was inextricably linked to a person’s identity and destiny.
And truly, there is no greater name than JESUS.
Throughout this series, we have encountered Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King. We’ve explored our role as the body of Christ – how we are sometimes the involuntary actions of the head, a reflexive response to His direction, and at other times the voluntary actions of a mind surrendered in obedience and submission to His Word and His Will.
As we bring this series to a close, it is absolutely crucial to understand one vital truth: for us as image-bearers, THE NAME OF JESUS IS INDISPENSABLE.
Understanding “The Name” in Biblical Theology
To fully grasp the significance of Jesus’ name, we must first look at the understanding of “name” in the Ancient Near East and Hebrew culture.
The name of God was profoundly significant to the ancient Hebrews because it encompassed everything that God is. The name itself became a synonym for God. This is why believers are commanded not to take the Lord’s name in vain. God’s name is holy, awesome, and signifies His personal presence. We are called to reverence, love, praise, trust, call upon, and hope in the divine name. Ultimate salvation is found in His name.
The divine name, once the “distinguishing mark” of God’s presence and immanence, became the essence of His unapproachable holiness. “The Name” ($haššēm$) was practically synonymous with “God.” The subtle difference between God and His name became blurred; God and His divine name were one, equally holy.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see God’s name intrinsically linked to His personhood and His presence. The altars, the tabernacle, and especially the Temple were built to house His Name. Where His Name was, there His PRESENCE was believed to be. This is vividly portrayed during the Exodus, where the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night was His Name, His very Presence, guiding and leading the people. To invoke His name was to invoke God Himself!
The Power in the Name of Jesus
The New Testament makes a profound statement about the name of Jesus. The expression “the Name of Jesus” is frequent and highly significant, mirroring the use of the name of God in the Old Testament. The early Christians had no hesitation in substituting the name of Jesus for the name of God. In fact, for them, the divine name, YHWH, was given to Jesus.
Just as the name of God represents His person and all that He is in the Old Testament, so in the New Testament, “the Name” of Jesus represents all who He is as Lord and Savior. New Testament believers are called to live their lives in Jesus’ name, just as Old Testament believers lived in the name of God.
So, how do we carry the weight of His image in His name?
1. Live in His Name
Repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ are connected to the forgiveness of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). It’s not simply a prayer, but placing our faith fully in the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. This application of His blood cleanses us from the inside out, creating sacred space within us for God to dwell. Without this foundation, there is no image to be conformed into and no life to receive.
2. Move in His Name
The name of Jesus, like the name of God, is not just about identification; it represents His person and presence, His character, and His quality. When something is done in the name, it signifies authority. It is the person themselves being present.
When we stand in His name, reflecting His image and His presence, the spiritual realm recognizes JESUS, not just us.
- Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God has bestowed upon Jesus the name that is above every other name, so that at His name, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
- In Acts 16:18, Paul, greatly annoyed, commands a spirit in the name of Jesus Christ to come out, and it does so that very hour.
- In Mark 16, Jesus promises that those who believe will cast out demons and speak in new tongues in His name.
We see a powerful contrast in Acts 19:11-20 with the sons of Sceva. They tried to use Jesus’ name, but they weren’t in representation of His person. The demon didn’t recognize them because it couldn’t sense Jesus’ presence, even though His name was spoken. Let this be a lesson: person and presence are the difference between the name simply being said and the person being realized.
3. Pray in His Name
The significance of Jesus’ name in relation to prayer is also paramount. When we are told that “whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do” (John 14:13), it’s not simply a magic formula we tack onto the end of our prayers. It means praying as His representatives on earth, in His mission and stead, with His spirit and aim.
Praying in Jesus’ name implies union with Christ – abiding in Him, and Him in us. We are one with Him, even as He is revealed to us. This is why we ask, not beg. We pray in the personhood of Jesus, asking as He Himself would ask in that situation.
Our names matter, but HIS name is everything. In Him we LIVE and MOVE and have Our BEING. This has been the cry of the Church from the first century until today.
His Name IS Indispensable.
