Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have,
but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
rise up and walk.”
After the Pentecostal experience and the establishment of
the Church, outreach ministry has been started. The first step was this miracle
and it is important to understand the primary tool utilized here.
The Name of Jesus is the one to be raised up higher. We can
read that Peter went forward to the lame man, asked him to “look at us” and
then voluntarily gave the healing from Christ. The lesson to us here is how
proud they were to be in possession of the name of Jesus. Peter and John could
have had silver or gold but they believed the name of Jesus to be more precious
for them to be silent and this being the most effective gift they could give to
anybody.
In Luke 10:17, we read the seventy people who were sent out
to minister were amazed how even demons obey to the name of Jesus. We read in
verse 1 that Jesus had sent them two by two as if there was a single person, it
could be that this person has performed it. We also should understand that the devils does
not obey Jesus alone, they obey us if we command in Jesus’ name. Jesus also
confirms that in verse 19 that “we” have the authority to trample. Jesus
becomes the source of authority but we are the beneficiaries here. There is no
evidence of failure after somebody had used the name of Jesus. The people said
that the demons were obedient to them and not just drive them away. If this
name is used with faith, even mountains move.
In Mark 9:38-41, we read that somebody who works miracles in
Jesus’ name is on Jesus’ side. These people may not necessarily follow our
beliefs. Even if Jesus was living in the same locality and they had the
opportunity to be silent and follow the group with Jesus, these people were
away and alone. They had different strategies. But Jesus accepts them 100% and
claims them to be on His side. We may have different approaches, doctrines and
understanding of scripture. But if we humble ourselves and try hard to promote
the name of Jesus, we will reap rewards. After this acceptance, Jesus warns
people of using Jesus’ name wrongly as in Mark 13:6. Here people come and
mention that “I am He” which means that people would try to steal the position
of Christ in the Church. As per Mathew 7:22, miracles are not signs that a
person is powerful or right. He maybe on Jesus’ side and even get rewards, but
it is very much possible for Jesus to not know him and that makes us people who
practice lawlessness. Extreme caution should be exercised when using the name
of Jesus as per 2 Timothy 2:15-19. The Lord knows clearly who belong to Him and
who does not and still uses His name. This is a mighty tool which can be used
for self-proclamation.
In many instances we read the phrase “Jesus of Nazareth” and
on a similar meaning “Son of Man”. Jesus mostly wanted to identify Himself as a
local person who is one among us. The phrase also means that he is a person who
was lower than us by reading Nathanael’s term in John 1:46. Nathanael was a
good person as we read in the following verses, and so it is right to see what
good can come from this person and then understand that He is the Son of God
and the king of Israel. Whenever we use Nazareth, we acknowledge that Jesus lived
and is real and is easier to understand. This representation of the name is a
good practice. Philip calls Nathanael to come and see and that clean spirit
with expectations to see had excited Jesus to say that he is a person without
deceit. In the last verse Jesus mentions about the connection between heaven
and earth which is a very higher miracle for us to witness.
Mathew 18:5 explains that we are honoring Jesus and His name
if we honor the humble and childlike who have no expectations and those who had
submitted themselves for no cause. If we honor and receive these people, we are
receiving Jesus Himself. The method is to receive them in Jesus name as if
Jesus would receive them. Similarly in Mathew 18:20, we read Jesus coming first
to meetings if we come in His name. A few verses earlier, we can read how Jesus
honors the Church’s decisions and wants us to bind things as we have the power
if we truly gather in His name. But if we have fellowship for anything else
than His name breaks us apart and makes us fall down. 1 Corinthians 1:10 speaks
about unity because of the Name of Jesus.
In Acts 3:16, Peter emphasizes the name of Jesus being the
only source of all goodness. We can read the same in Acts 4:12 where this name
is given to us for salvation. We have to exalt the name of Jesus as high as we
can in the Church.
Amen.
