Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 (NIV)
“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
When I read this, I realized that I have been saying “in Jesus name” in prayer for so many years, without really knowing why.
Is it a tradition with no spiritual value, or something more?
Well let’s see what the scriptures say, and what this means for how we relate to God.
Colossians 3:3-4 says “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. Why though? Because Christ purchased us with his blood from death, from the bondage that sin put us in(1 Peter 1:18-19).
The only reason why we can boldly approach God’s throne is because when He looks down, He sees Jesus, our High Priest who stands in our place. In Christ, our sins are washed away. In Christ, our past is forgotten. In Christ, our minds are renewed. In Christ, we have our confidence.
But only in Christ. We cannot outgrow Him, or relate with God on our own merit.
Our sin separated us, and through Christ we approach God again. And so when we pray, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Every joy we find in God we find because of Christ taking our place and sharing His place as the Beloved, with us.
So the next time you pray, see the name of Jesus as the true gift that it is. For through it we have access to every good thing!
PRAYER: Father, I now see why I need Jesus so much. Thank you for sending Him to take my place, for giving me access to abundant life in you. Help me to remember that Jesus is the only reason that I can be close with you, and to have a grateful heart! This I pray in Jesus name. Amen.