IN JESUS NAME

SATURDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 18:23-28, Psalms 47:2-3.8-9.9.10(8a) Accl. Col.3:1, Gospel John 16:23b-28

THEME: IN JESUS NAME

“Truly, truly, I say to you if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name…..I do not say to you that I shall ask the Father for you; for the Father himself loves, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father.” John 16:23.26-27.

In our today’s gospel Jesus opens our minds so as to have a better understanding of God the Father. He is the visible image of the invisible God. He came to communicate the love of God to us. Our God is a loving Father who wants the best for all his children. He loves us with an everlasting love. To show his love, he sent his Son into the world to die for us. Christ suffering and death demonstrate the heart of the Father. Hence, we should stop seeing God as a tyrant. We should cease from depicting God as an ancient of days who is too remote from us.

For those who understand the essence of Christ coming into the world, the road to heaven is open. However, it is not enough to know that God is a loving God. There are conditions for having free access to him.

ACCESS TO THE FATHER

In order to gain free access to the Father, the source of all blessings, we must fulfil these two conditions. We must love Jesus, the Son who he has sent to demonstrate his love. We must believe that he came from the Father.

The Lord Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandment.” John 14:15. The journey to the Father is the journey of faithful obedience.  This is all about accepting the freedom that Jesus brings. This entails living in the Father’s house, knowing the rules of the house and knowing the ways of the Lord.

IN JESUS NAME

The name of Jesus is all about what he stands for. He is the Lord, the Anointed one, the Messiah, the Saviour. Calling the name of Jesus means that we believe and know who he is in our lives. It means we have accepted him as our personal Lord and saviour.  It means we are ready to follow his footsteps.

Though Paul in Romans 10:13 says that,  “everyone who calls on the name Lord will be saved,” Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23,

“Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord; will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name? Then will I declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, evil doers”

There is no point calling on who you do not believe in. Calling Jesus’ name without trust in him is like calling his name in vain.

Dear beloved in Christ, let us put our trust in God. God never changed. His love endures forever. Let us believe in the one he has sent. Let us entrust our souls to the care of the Lord. Let us praise his name.

                     “At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend those in heaven and those on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the God the father.”Phil 2:10

PRAYER

O God, my Almighty Father, I love you and I thank you for the gift of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I accept your love. I believe that you truly love me. I love you in return and I love your beloved Son, My dear Lord and Saviour. I believe that he came from you and I have resolved to follow his holy ways. Grant me the wisdom that sits on your throne. Help me to follow his steps in my daily life. As I go about my daily activities today, grant me your special favour. Never let me be parted from you in Jesus name. Amen.