In Romeo and Juliet, the two young lovers have a problem. Their families hate each other. Juliet cries out that what's important is who a person is, not his name. "What's in a name. That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Though that flower may smell as sweet, Juliet is wrong. Names aren't meaningless. Would you call a child Adolf Hitler?
Names often convey a special meaning. Some are given at birth-Jacob...heel catcher, Esau...rough. Some come later in life---Abraham...father of many, Peter...rock, Barnabas...Son of Encouragement, Chuck...the incredibly wise. A name may be revered---Emmanuel---or despised---satan. Even the word name can refer to reputation, position, power, and authority-everything that makes up a person.
The apostles suffered disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41). Followers were sent for the sake of the Name (3 John 7). John wrote of Jesus, ...to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). And Jesus warned that we will be hated, persecuted, and mistreated, because of my name (John 15:21). It isn't about what Jesus is called, but who Jesus is.
We are taught to pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...[everything about You is holy and worthy to be praised] (Matthew 6:9). Jesus prayed, Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name---the name you gave me...[Your reputation, position, power and authority which you gave me] (John 17:11). There's something else that's important here.
What did the people shout when Jesus entered Jerusalem? Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! (Mark 11:9) But they did not believe Jesus had been given God's name---His reputation, position, power and authority. So what did they mean to come "in the name of"?
Since ancient times, "in the name of" indicates agency, often in royal settings. A king sends an emissary with authority to represent him, usually for a limited purpose. This agent stands in place of and should receive the same respect due the king. "He who comes in the name of the Lord" refers to one who, for some purpose, represents, stands in place of, and should receive the same respect as that due to God.
Just think what this means for us who follow Jesus. We've been told to gather together and do all, in word and deed, in Jesus' name (Matthew 18:20; Colossians 3:17). As we pray, we are to give God thanks for everything and ask for anything in Jesus' name (Ephesians 5:20; John 14:13-14). Do you see?
When we pray, we come to God not simply as ourselves, but ourselves in the name of Jesus. At that moment we represent, stand in place of, and receive the same respect as that due Him. That's why when we stand before the Father in the reputation, position, power, and authority of His Son, we can trust Jesus' promise---The Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)
We have been given an amazing gift---the Way back to God---and an awesome responsibility---to represent the Truth. What an incredible Life we have in the Name. May all the earth hear us shout...
I come in the name of the Lord!
