The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

medical doctors, one of whom served for a time as governor of our state. As children, my
brother, sister, and I were encouraged to live up to the historical reputation of our name.
Just as my mother reminded me to live up to the reputation of my family name, we all
need to be reminded to live up to the reputation of the name of Jesus. The Apostle Paul reminded
the Jews in Rome that “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” as a
result of their inconsistent living (Romans 2:23,24). The same could be said of Christians today.
When you behave in a manner inconsistent with the name of Jesus, the unsaved world takes note
of your hypocrisy and lowers its estimate of Jesus and Christianity. How many Christians have
been reminded of “hypocrites in the church” as they have tried to win their unsaved friends,
relatives, associates, and neighbors?
Regardless of the nobility of the name or title ascribed to Jesus in Scripture, He always
added something to the reputation of the name. Many Christians today conclude their prayers
with the phrase, “in Jesus' name. “ Sometimes they will cite John 14:13,14 or 16:23 as Biblical
authority for that practice.
In those texts Jesus encouraged His disciples to “ask in my name.” Actually, to ask in
Jesus' name means to ask in His Person and does not mean that every prayer must end with the
words “in Jesus' name.” Some who pray this way do so wrongly, viewing the mention of Jesus'
name as a kind of magical incantation that will guarantee an answer to their prayers. Others use
the expression as a constant reminder that when they pray, they do so on the merits of Jesus and
not of themselves.
There is a certain power in Jesus' name, however, that transcends our ability to
understand it fully. It is a power over demons themselves. Even the Jewish exorcists of the first
century recognized this spiritual power and sought to harness it by addressing and commanding
demons in Jesus' name (Acts 19:13). The failure of the sons of Sceva to overcome the demons on
that occasion emphasized the fact that the name that possesses the power is not the mere recital
of a formula but the Person of Jesus Himself. The sons of Sceva did not have a personal
relationship with Jesus and, therefore, could not effectively use His name in prayer in order to
cast out demons.
Jesus encouraged His disciples to ask for “anything” (John 14:14), including the salvation
of unsaved friends, relatives, associates and neighbors, problems in your family or finances,
difficult responsibilities, or relationships. The name of Jesus is the “'name which is above every
name” (Philippians 2:9). Jesus is powerful to save and powerful to keep those who are saved. He
alone is powerful enough both to control demons and influence God. We should speak, sing,
meditate on, and glory in the name of Jesus. It is even proper to fall in adoration and worship at
the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10).
CONCLUSION
Have you ever noticed how many of your favorite hymns make specific reference to the
name of Jesus? Leaf through the average church hymnal, and you will agree that this name