Authority In The Name Of Jesus
The religious leaders questioned the Lord while He was preaching and teaching in the temple. They wanted to know by whose name or authority Jesus was doing what He did.
They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” Luke 20:2
This wasn’t the only time Jesus spoke with authority. Many times He amazed people when they heard Him teach. In Matthew 7 He said the following.
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise. Like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Matthew 7:24
He didn’t stop there though, He also warned what would happen on the flip side of that.
But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish. Like a person who builds a house on sand. Matthew 7:26
They had never heard teaching like that before, especially from the teachers of the law. He spoke words of wisdom with authority.
He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:29
One day friends of a paralyzed man brought him to see Jesus. Obviously, the man needed healing, but Jesus didn’t initially address that.
Instead, He addressed a different need. Because of their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic;
“Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9:2
The Jewish leaders immediately told Jesus that no man had the authority to forgive sins. Jesus then exercised even more authority by addressing the man’s other need.
So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” Matthew 9:6
Don’t be Clueless
The religious leaders believed God had established them as Israel’s authority. They had no clue that God would grant all authority in heaven and earth to the name of Jesus.
Look at what our Lord said before He gave the Great Commission as recorded in the book of Matthew.
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18
Luke’s gospel says the Lord opened the disciples’ minds to understand the Scriptures. Written long ago they said the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead.
Jesus said it was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name. To all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. Luke 24:47
Today the Name of Jesus Still Holds All Authority
At the end of Ephesians 1, Paul prayed a short prayer for his readers.
He wanted them to know the incredible greatness of God’s power. We too need to know its greatness because;
This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-20
How often do we turn a blind eye to the authority we have in the name of Jesus? Or how often do you forget about the power and authority in His name that’s available to you?
Our enemy the devil, will tell us that the authority in the name of Jesus means nothing to us. But then he is the father of lies. The Apostle Paul continued with this reminder;
Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. Ephesians 1:21
Make Him a part of your everyday life. Seek His constant guidance. Sometimes our decisions are obvious. But other times we should patiently wait upon the Lord.
The world uses the name of the Lord more in vain than anything else. He, however, invites us to call upon it.
Look at the authority that’s available to us in the name of Jesus.
- In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
- Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. Acts 3:16
- Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me. Mark 9:37
- God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
- For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. Matthew 18:20
- The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name. John 14:26
Celebrate the Name of Jesus with Praise
His name is above all names and worthy of our praise. Many of the Psalms contain verses of praise. Psalm 135 is a great example.
Praise the name of the Lord! Praise him, you who serve the Lord. You who serve in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his lovely name with music. Psalm 135:1-3
The Psalmist continued with the following words of praise and adoration.
Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will give justice to his people and have compassion on his servants. Psalm 135:13-14
I love the song “There’s Something About that Name.” It captures the authority that the Bible portrays to us about the name of Jesus.
Lord, help us to continually rely on your name. There is no other name or authority we can call upon but Jesus. Thank you for making that choice easy!
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