Juliet asked the question: "What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet). For her purposes, the name of a man may not have been too important, but for us, the name of a man, Jesus, carries power untold.

"Jesus answered: 'Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who ha seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? Don't you believe that I am in the  Father and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just My own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing His work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My Name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in My Name, and I will do it. If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:9-15).

Jesus was talking to his disciples, not to the general population. In this moment, they were still very dependent upon the physical presence of Jesus for power, but Jesus gave them another formula. He told them that authority comes from the correct use of His Name--the Name that is above all names! But the name of Jesus is not "hocus pocus," and the authority to use it is not to conjure up our will or what we want. Jesus makes it clear that the use of His Name is meant to bring glory to God, and to ask for what is in accordance to His purpose. So what exactly is the authority in the Name?

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe" (Prov. 18:10); "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin shall be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel [God with us]" (Isaiah 7:14); "And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6); in Isaiah 51:15, Jer. 31:35, Jer. 46:18, and other places, His name is "The Lord of Hosts" meaning "Commander of the Army of Heaven"; "Here is the man whose name is The Branch, and He will branch out from His place and build the temple of the Lord" (Zech. 6:12); "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus [Gk. form of Joshua which means The Lord Saves]" (Matt. 1:21); "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True, with justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Rev. 19:11-16).

When we speak His name, we speak the authority of the strong tower that keeps us safe; Immanuel, God with us, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Commander of the Army of Heaven, the Branch, the Lord Who Saves, The Faithful and True, the Word of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11). Jesus Himself gave us permission to use that Name; we should speak it with awe!

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

There's just something about that Name

Master, Savior, Jesus,

Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,

Let all heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away,

But there's something about that Name." Amen