Matthew 18:20

“In Jesus’ Name”

Bob was usually disappointed when he prayed and when he went to church.  He was looking for answers, but they never really came.  His prayer life seemed empty and repetitious.  His worship life left him without direction and hope.  This forced him to make a search.  He tried talking to his friends and going to church with them.  Nothing seemed to resolve his dilemma until one of his friends said, “Try praying in Jesus’ name.”

Since it sounded like a good idea, Bob decided to give it a try.  Every prayer he ended with the words “in Jesus’ name.”  Every time he worshiped he longed to hear those sought after words.  While Bob heard and used the words regularly, he remained empty and disappointed.  

Bob’s mistake is one I can easily make.  It is easy to look at the words, “in Jesus’ name,” as a formula.  It is easy to think, if I use them in my prayers, God will give me the answer I want.  I think that the same applies to my worship.  If I worship in Jesus’ name, I will always feel good.  There is one complication.  “In Jesus’ name” is not a formula, rather it is the reason why I can pray and why worship is a blessing.

“In Jesus’ name” offers me confidence as well as peace.  Because Jesus is who the Bible says he is, and because he accomplished everything the Bible said he would, his name is precious.  In Jesus’ name I find the answer to all my needs and all my prayers.  In Jesus’ name I receive full and free forgiveness for all my sins.  In Jesus’ name I know God the Father will comfort and encourage me.  In Jesus’ name I can have perfect peace to trust him even when I am at a loss for answers.  

When Jesus offers me the invitation to come in his name, it is not a magic formula.  It is the reason why I can pray to him, and why I can worship him.  It is also the reason why I can trust Jesus will be with me, and with all who come together in his name.