Encouragement

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IT'S ALL IN THE NAME - Luke 9:46-48

“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside Him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me. For he who is least among you all – he is the greatest.”

It is quite funny that the disciples were so competitive. They were the closest associates of the Lord Jesus, (supposed to be spiritual men) and the founders of the church, but like little children, they were arguing, saying “I am better than you” and “I am greater than you”, and “I will do greater things than you will”! Even as they argued, I am sure these men knew they were being shallow and childish. They probably thought that their conversation was just between the few of them; they knew their argument would not impress the Master. However, Jesus ‘saw’ their thoughts and dealt with them. They were acting like children, and the Lord takes a little child to illustrate a point to them.

The Lord was telling His disciples that they were talking through a carnal and finite mindset. The world looks for greatness in terms of educational attainments, experience, maturity, track record, reputation, etc. But the things the world considers ‘greatness’ are not what may be acknowledged as ‘great’ in the Kingdom of God. On the contrary, Jesus demonstrated that greatness is about the reduction of self and the increase of Jesus in our lives and ministries.

It is all about the name of Jesus. He said “whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes Me”. In other words, whose name are we going in? It does not matter who we are – the most senior minister in the largest ministry in the world, or the young girl who has just come into a relation with the Lord Jesus; greatness comes from the name we walk in. His name is higher than every other name. His name stands for power, and might. His name is salvation – it means ‘God Saves’. The name of Jesus opens doors – it is the name of the most important person in the universe! It is the name which carries all power and authority over every demonic spirit and every sickness and disease. It is the name above all others.
Friend, if you could receive a fresh revelation of the power and the authority of the name of Jesus, and that you carry all the potential of His name, it could transform your life! When you reach out your hand to pray for someone’s healing, it is not you who stretches out a hand, it is Jesus – it is His name which brings the miracle. When you stand firm against the attacks of darkness and resist the devil in the name of Jesus, remember that it is not you who refuses to be moved – it is the Greater One in you. The devil sees not you but Jesus, and flees (James 4:7). When you stand before the Father’s throne and intercede for the need of another, it is as though Jesus stands before the throne. You are a joint heir with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17) vested with all the power and authority of His name. Matthew 28:18 says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” And Luke 10:19: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy.” When you come before the Father and pray in Jesus’ name, He sees His Son, He hears the name! (“I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” – John 16:23). You are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). You are a chosen and precious child of God – with the blood of Jesus upon your life. You are a carrier of His Name! This is why little children in Africa are ministering healing, and raising the dead – because of the simple faith and revelation of the Name!

In Genesis 11:1-9, we read about the tower of Babel, and how God confused the language of the people building it, and scattered them to different parts of the world. This was because they were building the tower to ‘make a name for themselves’ (Genesis 11:4). God will not share His glory with any other (Isaiah 42:8), and the ministry or person seeking to make their own name will ultimately crumble.

Jesus said that whoever welcomes us in His name welcomes Him. To be received in His name, we have to go in His name; we have to believe in His name; we have to walk in the power of His name! This is how even the newest believer can do mighty exploits for Jesus and be ‘great’ – when we bring honor and glory to His name, and live in the power of that name. John the Baptist said in John 3:30: “He must become greater; I must become less.” As we make more room for God to be glorified, and allow our own name to be covered by His, this is when His power will truly be seen through our lives. This is the person God regards as ‘great’! This is the person who Jesus says would be welcomed even as He or the Father would be welcomed, because people will begin to see not the finite human ‘you’, but the power of the presence and the name of Almighty God. (Jesus said in John 14:23: “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”) Hallelujah!

May God reveal afresh to us all the power and the reality of the name of Jesus, that we may know true greatness each day – as His name is exalted and His name alone!

Minoli Haththotuwa
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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