The Name
Read This Week: Acts 3
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. – Acts 3:6-10 NIV
A name is a primary way we identify ourselves to strangers, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and the world at large. We lead with our name because it is the gateway to our person. A name, however, speaks to much more than simple identification. It carries with it reputation, character, and in some cases, influence and capacity. We all desire our name to mean something and be worth using.
In Acts chapters 3 and 4, Luke emphasizes the name of Jesus. He underwrites the narrative of the church and the individual acts of the apostles with the power and authority of Jesus’ name. The name of the Lord has all capability and preeminence in heaven and on earth behind it. His name is above every name and at the mention of it, deserves worship, reverence, and obedience. The book of Acts shows us that the early Christians were intent on bringing glory to the name of Jesus, indicating that believers today should have the same desire.
There is no better example of the salvation and power of the name of Jesus than the beginning of Acts 3. Peter and John come upon a man crippled from birth who is begging in front of the temple. The man then asks Peter and John for money, and Peter uses this as an opportunity to not only meet his physical need but his spiritual one through the life-changing power of Jesus’ name. He says in verse 6:
“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
This beggar had two needs: healing for his body and salvation for his soul. Money or wealth could not provide either one of those for him and the disciples knew this. Only through the power of Jesus and the speaking of his name was the man completely healed and his deepest needs met. When this happened, the man was so excited that he jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
This story is not only an illustration of salvation, but a testimony to the supremacy of Christ to meet the needs of man over anything this world has to offer. When Peter said, “What I do have I give you,” he was emphatically saying that what he was about to give the man was all he would ever need. The beggar was born crippled as we all are in a spiritual sense. We are in desperate need of something we cannot accomplish on our own. He was poor as we are all unable to pay the debt of sin. But, he was healed by the grace of God through the power of the name of Jesus, as anyone who believes is and can be.
It is all in the name; the name of Jesus. The name of the Son of God that is exalted above all others. The name that holds all authority and transcendent power. The name that will one day cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord (Phil. 2:9-11). The name that saves, heals, restores, and causes broken things to be whole again. The name that causes others to look on in wonder. The name that deserves honor, praise, and glory then, now, and always. The name is all we need in life to satisfy our greatest longings.
In reading Acts 3, this was what God was saying to me: “You should expect the right things from Me. You are often too ready to settle for much less than I want to give you. Your low expectations can actually rob you of what you could have. Expect great things from Me. Faith comes from hearing My word. You must always trust in and do good through faith in My son Jesus Christ.
I can take evil and use it for good. You have done wrong in your life. Repent and turn around in your thinking and actions. Have hope. You are a new creation in Jesus Christ. Flee to Him as a place of refuge. Your sins are forgiven and erased. You have a clean slate. You will be refreshed. I desire to turn you away from your sins.”
What this meant to me was God has so much more for me than I can imagine. I can limit Him in how He wants to bless me. I need to be more expectant and open to His blessings in my life and excited to see what He has for me. I want God to help me want all that He has for me. I need His help to give control over to Him.
I appreciate this so much, Kathy. I relate to the lame beggar as well in so many ways. I needed the power in the name of Jesus to make me whole, rescue, and heal me. I also need the power and authority of His name to sustain me in my life and pick me up and help me walk again when I fall. I loved this line:
Have hope. You are a new creation in Jesus Christ. Flee to Him as a place of refuge.
I pray we will all have hope in the name of Jesus today and always. He is most certainly our refuge and the One who propels us to rise and walk and rejoice.
This week, God gave me another song called, “Hope”:
We praise you, praise you, praise you, our Lord
You give us hope through our faith
Your blessings and miracles show us the truth
Even through the storms and trials
You give us hope
We want your ways, not the evil ways
Standing up with our arms wide open
Singing together, we praise you, we praise you
Our father you are hope, joy, love, and peace
Thank you, thank you! Amen.
I love God’s spiritual strength he refreshes and refills us with his power. He gives us peace and wonderful love.
Thank you for this wonderful and hopeful song, Alma. I appreciated the use of the words refresh and refill. Those are perfect words to describe what God and a relationship with Jesus does for us. I was reminded of this recent song, “All My Hope” while reading your lyrics:
I’m no stranger to prison
I’ve worn shackles and chains
But I’ve been freed and forgiven
And I’m not going back
I’ll never be the same
That’s why I sing
All my hope is in Jesus
Thank God that yesterday’s gone
All my sins are forgiven
I’ve been washed by the blood
Thank you Jason for all your encouraging words. I know you not only touch my heart but who ever reads this.
Thank you so much, Alma! I pray God will use all of our words to help others and glorify Him. I am grateful for you!
What I heard from Father God through Acts 3:19 is: “I give everyone a way to have a better life. It’s through Salvation. When you know I’m calling you and you want a better life then Repent, desire to want to have a change of heart. When you spend time with Me, seek Me every day, and read your bible, I’m apart of your life, you will learn what your purpose in life is.
Every day is a new day with Us, so as you seek Me, ask Me, listen to me and then respond to My love, My purpose for you, you will be refreshed. The old way of living has to be replaced with new ways, new thinking, how you respond, when you do respond the right way you will be blessed. So, keep seeking and learning.”
What that means to me is we get to do life with Father God, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. I have seen miracles happen to those who want to be a part of the Family of God, who continue to ask God for a change of heart, who want to spend time with Him, who love to seek Him. When people get off track they realize they need God in their life, so they return to God seeking Him for His purpose which is awesome.
It’s amazing how God gives us another chance, he is always for us, never gives up on us! Thank you, God, that we get to be a part of what you’re doing and it’s always going to be good. I am so thankful for God’s presence that refreshes.
I needed (and I am sure many others do as well) to hear this today, Heidi: It’s amazing how God gives us another chance, he is always for us, never gives up on us! I am so thankful for this promise and truth. There is power and redemption in His name.