The Name Of Jesus: Authenticity, Authority And Representation

Feature 1 – January 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Name Of Jesus
Authenticity, Authority And Representation

When you hear someone’s name, what does that bring to your mind? The Lord Jesus said, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (Lk. 9:48 ESV ). John replied, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us” (v.49). What does it mean to receive a child in the “name” of Jesus, or for someone to cast out demons in His “name”?

The Bible gives us insights about the value of the name “Jesus.” It speaks of the authenticity (or essence), authority and representation of the person of Jesus Christ.

Authenticity
The Devil, seen in type in the prince of Tyre, wanted to be like God (Ezek. 28:2), and in the future “the man of lawlessness” will exalt himself, “proclaiming … to be God” (2 Th. 2:3-4). It is very hard for anyone to see the truth today because of all the deceptions and counterfeits that are in the world. The media is full of contradicting messages, which are claimed to be facts. People are wearing moral masks to hide the sin in them. We even hear false teachings within the Church by false teachers (1 Tim. 1:3-4, 6:2-3).

In such a confusing world we should stop and ask, “What is truth?” (Jn. 18:38). We need a reference point to help us adjust our moral compass, life values and purpose of living. Imagine you are stopped in your car at a red traffic light. If you sense your car is moving you will likely look at other cars to see if you are really moving. That might not work since those cars might also be moving. Therefore you may seek out some stable object, such as a tree or a building, to use as your reference point. Similarly, we all need a true and authentic reference point to live our lives in the way that honors God.

Isaiah tells us a Baby that was to be born of the virgin is Immanuel; God with us (Isa. 7:14; see Mt. 1:23). He is not simply another human but God Himself. John wrote about this amazing person and confirmed that “the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1), and “He is the true God and eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:20). Because He is the true God, He “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (Phil. 2:6).

We have to be careful to understand the true nature of Jesus through the Bible. In many cases we build our own fake images of Him. Some think of Him as a demanding and fearful Lord who is causing our misery. Others think of Him as a genie waiting for us to tell Him our prayers or wishes and then provide all we want or claim to need. That is why John ended his first letter by this solemn warning: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 Jn. 5:21). Any wrong understanding of Jesus would be a new idol!

Authority
Being the true God, Jesus is entitled to all authority (Isa. 9:6). He clearly indicated that when He gave the great commission to His disciples (Mt. 28:18). The scope of His authority includes, but is not limited to, humans, the angels and all beings in the spiritual world, including the Devil and his demons (1 Pet. 3:22; Heb. 1:4). Although He is currently rejected in this world, we know that one day He will come to claim His authority publicly. When the Lord comes again, every knee will bow and every tongue will “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10-11).

In a more personal way, Jesus wants to claim His authority over the lives and assemblies of His followers. The Lord’s presence in our meetings is associated with the fact that we meet in His name (Mt. 18:20), because He is the center and leader of it.

When we read in the letter of 1 Corinthians about church discipline, which requires authority, Paul referenced the name of Jesus by saying, “when you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus …” (1 Cor. 5:4). Also, when the apostle wanted to strengthen the authority of his command, he said to the Thessalonians, “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Th. 3:6). Do we give the Lord authority over our meetings to lead according to His desires rather than ours? Likewise, do we give Him the rightful authority over our lives to direct them according to His will?

Representation
His name speaks also about representation. Jesus confirmed that He came in the Father’s name (Jn. 5:43). God had spoken to humans through His creation, angels and prophets. The revelation was incremental, or given in steps, throughout the history of mankind. Since “no one has ever seen God,” the revelation was very limited until Jesus “made Him known” (1:18). We are able to know God because we have seen Him in Jesus, for “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” (Heb. 1:3). He is the true representative of God.

As Jesus represented the Father’s name on earth, we also represent His name here. In His name we can:

• Pray (Jn. 16:23-26, 14:14).
• Proclaim the gospel of forgiveness of sins (Lk. 24:47; Jn. 1:12).
• Minister to one another (Heb. 6:10).
• Be persecuted (Jn. 15:21).

Carrying His name is not an optional duty for us. It is a lifelong task which requires self-control in how we live. Unfortunately, we can easily fall and bring blasphemy to the name of the Lord Jesus (Rom. 2:24; 1 Tim. 6:1). Everything we do in life should be a representation of what Jesus would do, because it should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17; 2 Th. 1:12)

Your Life Now Matters
The word “name” is mentioned in the book of Acts 60 times, more than in any other book in the New Testament. In Acts, 34 of them are about God, 18 of believers and 8 related to others. This speaks of the association between our lives and the name of Jesus: how we understand the essence of His person, how we submit to His authority, and how we represent Him on earth.

In the book of Revelation we read how that name, even during the tribulation, claims lordship. The ones who follow the Lord Jesus – the Lamb – will be marked with His name (14:1). Those who reject Him will receive the mark of the name of the beast (14:11) and be tormented forever and ever.

The consequence of rejecting the Lord and God’s offer of salvation today, during the day of grace, is eternal separation from God. Now is your chance to accept the Lord Jesus as the true authentic God, submit to His authority and represent Him on earth. Will you?

By Shereen Ghobrial