Hi friends, I pray you are all well and blessed. As you settle in to peruse this week’s note, I pray you will be encouraged, strengthened, and perhaps even challenged by something you read. Please know that my intention is always to end my reflections on a positive note. However this week’s desired upbeat conclusion will require that I begin by sharing a growing source of angst in my life. Here goes….
To be completely transparent, lately I find myself somewhat disheartened by the continual need to create a password for literally just about everything. Medical portals, online shopping, grocery reward clubs, pharmacies, Zoom meetings, church communication, neighborhood HOAs, you name it. Receiving information and positively communicating through any of these entities, requires the user to create a password.
Honestly it’s not so much about the practice of producing multiple passwords, this is easy enough. But what I find to be most challenging, is the practical necessity of remembering the ever growing and overwhelming plethora of passwords that I’ve created! I imagine right now you are responding to my frustration in one of two ways: 1. With the laughter of agreement, or 2. With total disappointment that I am obviously tripped up with something as simple and straightforward as managing passwords. If you responded with the latter, I understand, and please know that I am committed to pressing forward positively with my challenge, and am currently recording and storing my passwords in an online file. I recounted all of this only because my experience with passwords has caused me to connect to a wonderful spiritual reality that is cause for great gratitude, and one that I’d like to share with you.
Although it is true that individual passwords are a necessity, as well as a reality for all who receive and engage in online communication, there remains now and always will be one highly exclusive and, at the same time, wonderfully inclusive password available to all who choose to use it. This distinctive password is completely user friendly, remarkably easy to remember, does not require a mixture of upper and lower case letters, nor does it contain a symbol or a number, and yet somehow it is amazingly strong and powerful! And in case you haven’t already concluded by now, the word I’ve been alluding to is in fact, and far more significantly a name, and the name I am referring to is actually that of Jesus. Jesus in effect, is the password to God. At the name of Jesus (whether spoken, sung, prayed, shouted or whispered) God responds, knees bow, doors open, seekers find, and souls are saved. The most beautiful name of Jesus is the perfect, absolute only name, word, or password ever needed, providing 24/7 access to God the Father. And this my friend is really good news!
So now that the password has been revealed, I’d like to share why this password (the name of Jesus) is so incredibly effective, as well as what this password (the name of Jesus) actually accomplishes.
I’ll begin by addressing the why. The reason this password is so amazingly effective is simply because the name of Jesus is truly the most powerful name in all of heaven and on the earth.
“Therefore, God elevated him (Jesus) to the place of highest honor and gave him (Jesus) the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NLT
The name of Jesus is matchless (no other name compares), magnificent (there are no words adequate enough to describe it), and mighty (overwhelmingly powerful and exceedingly strong). Nothing and no one can or will ever stand against the unrivaled name of Jesus. So in answer as to the why, it is because speaking the name of Jesus is a commanding password releasing power into every circumstance, and over every individual for which it is spoken.
Next I will attempt to share just a brief summary in regards to the what. Truthfully this is challenging and potentially even intimidating, as the password of Jesus is all encompassing, addressing absolutely everything we need, and it is also complete with the power and potential to accomplish literally anything it is released to do. (Isaiah 55:11). To begin, I’ll start with our greatest need and God’s greatest gift.
Salvation…
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name (but Jesus) under heaven by which we must be saved.”” Acts of the Apostles 4:12 NLT
Next forgiveness…
“But if we confess our sins to him (Jesus) he (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 NLT
Then Healing..
“He (Jesus) personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NLT
Followed by Provision…
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NLT
And then Protection…
“The name of the Lord (Jesus) is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NLT
And I must include peace…
I (Jesus) am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
And there is infinitely, so very much more, including…
- Authority (Matthew 28:18)
- Wisdom (Colossians 2:3, James 1:5)
- Joy (John 16:24)
- Power (2 Timothy 1:7. Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 12:8)
- Strength (Isaiah 40:31 & 41:10)
- Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)
The list is truly inexhaustible as the name of Jesus is exceedingly great and truly magnificent!
Two final thoughts …
The first being, in light of all that we have received in the name of Jesus, why would we ever look to any other source to meet our needs? I can only speak for myself, but admittedly there are times, more than I care to acknowledge, when I look within or to someone else to meet a need that only Jesus can truly meet. And honestly this usually results in emptiness, anxiousness, and discouragement. Not to mention, it’s also a time waster as it usually doesn’t accomplish much if anything at all. How much better and wiser would it be for me to go directly to the One who invites me to come to Him, offers to carry my burdens, and reassures me of His care! (See Matthew 11:28 & 1 Peter 5:7).
And second, being fully persuaded that Jesus is truly the universal password not only for everything but also for everyone, I am soberly reminded of both the privilege and responsibility I have been entrusted with to share this amazing truth with others.
In closing, I am reminded of a beautiful prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of the gospel of John. On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion He spends intimate time communing with His Abba, praying for His disciples, and for all who will come to faith in Him through their testimony.
…Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me… While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished…I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;” John 17:11-12, 20 NASB1995
Being fully aware that His followers will soon face increased challenges, trials, and testings once He was no longer present, Jesus intercedes to God on their behalf. As Jesus communes with His Father on this historical night, He declares that He has disclosed to His friends (both present and future) the pathway to His Presence, the direct line to His Father in prayer, and the secret place secured for their protection. In truth, what Jesus actually revealed to His disciples was the exceedingly strong, never failing, always dependable, and incredibly secure password that would continue to protect, encourage, direct, and empower them in His absence, the revelation of His name, the wonderful, perfect, unfailing, strong name of Jesus! It was the password of Jesus that protected the disciples over 2000 years ago, and this very same password continues to be valid, protecting, leading and guiding the followers of Jesus today!
Reflect…
Spend some time in quiet reflection and prayer thanking God for the revelation of the name of Jesus.
Record specific scriptures regarding the name of Jesus that are especially meaningful to you.
Worship…
Listen to, I Speak Jesus by Charity Gayle
What a beautiful, wonderful name we as Christians have access to…the name of Jesus. The name that expels all fears and offers encompassing comfort. Thank you Carol, for reminding us that this amazing password is ours for the taking.
Today’s writing is one of my very favorites. YES, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God, the Father. What a wonderful name! What a beautiful name! Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to research the scriptures and sit at the feet of our precious Lord Jesus to bring forth these anointed messages each week! I am most grateful! ✝️❤️