Is Your Hope in the Name of Jesus?

These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31 NIV)

We sing songs about the name of Jesus. We end our prayers in his name. The Bible says we may have life in his name. The question is whether we actually allow the life of Jesus to seep out of us, or better yet, gush out. Do the people in our lives wonder about what keeps us going? Do they wonder why we have hope when so much is wrong in the world or in our personal lives?

First Peter 3:15–16 (NIV) says, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

So often we allow other things to become Lord in our lives. We put our own desires above what God would really want for us. Our actions don’t reflect Jesus. Today I watched an advertisement for Disney princess makeovers, for adults as well as for children. We desire to be someone else—at least for a night. Someone better, worthy of princess treatment. Of course, it’s fun to dress up and feel pretty, and I experienced that recently when I attended the Air Force Ball with my husband. Once the night was over and I removed the lovely dress and all the makeup, though, I was still just me. Thankfully, Jesus says that’s enough.

Speaking the name of Jesus over our lives and into our hearts makes us daughters of the King, just as we are. Because of the name of Jesus, we have the capacity for all the good things to grow in our lives (and I don’t mean money or power or fame). Jesus told us he came not to be served but to serve, and that this service, when acted out in our lives, will be what gives us that same feeling we get when we dress up like a Disney princess.

Dressing up for a night can give us all the feels, but only for that one night. The name of Jesus offers us power for every day. With the name of Jesus on our lips and in our minds, we can live with the good behavior Peter talks about no matter what’s going on around us. We don’t always have control over our circumstances, but we do always have control over where we’re putting our hope.

One of my dear aunts, who has now passed away, lived with a genetic disease that caused her problems her whole life. She seemed to inherently know that she was abundantly loved by Jesus, but we didn’t talk about him a whole lot. In fact, probably the evidence of him I noticed most in her life was her love for me and my brothers. Not until I was older did I understand how that love reflected Jesus. As we sorted through her belongings after she died, we found a journal with pages and pages literally filled with only the name of Jesus as though his name was all she could manage or that his name itself was a balm for her heart.

Apparently, writing his name over and over was enough of a prayer for her. When I pray, I know I can begin with the name of Jesus because his name has the power to bring me peace and reminds me in whom I can rest. Speaking his name helps me put my focus on the One who gives me hope.

In what or in whom is your hope? Would you be proud to tell people that who you are and what you do is all because of Jesus?

Lord, help us let the life of Jesus fill us up and pour out of us. Help us remember in whose name we can have life and to grab onto that life with all our hearts. We seek your forgiveness, Lord, and let go of our sin because your name covers it all. Amen

 Scripture for Reflection

 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NIV)

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. (Acts 3:16 NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

 Reach for More

Speak the name of Jesus over your life, your home, your family, your work, and whatever else needs vitality breathed into it today. Find some music that talks about the power of his name, and then worship him with those songs. Look for an opportunity to tell someone about the One in whom you have hope for every situation.

Carla Clemens enjoys a crazy, beautiful life with her military husband, four sons, and a daughter. A baby interrupts her homeschool days in the best ways, and she is always attempting to live with mindfulness of each moment. She hopes to look at the world and each person in it in light of our amazing Creator, and therefore, to see each moment presented as an opportunity to love and serve him more. Carla relishes time to ponder God’s Word and have quiet moments with him and her coffee. She loves doing life with other mamas and encouraging them to simply be who God has made them to be.

Photograph © Mark Fletcher-Brown, used with permission