What does the phrase, “in Jesus name” mean to you? Does it mean, “I’m
doing this for Jesus,” or “this is in remembrance of Him?” Or are you
saying, “These words and actions are backed by the very powers of
Heaven.”
My first public job was working on the construction of Interstate 40,
through Knoxville, TN. It began one morning in the Spring of 1961 at
what is now the “Papermill Road” exit. There was nothing there but the
outline of what would become the new Interstate.
My first assignment was to take a water truck down to the big
curve, now known as the I-75/I-40 split, about 14 miles to where the
rest of the machinery was parked. At the time, no excavation had been done to indicate there would also be an I-75.
Having grown up on a farm, I could operate nearly all the big farm
equipment, but had never seen machines as large as these. Some of the
excavators had enormous engines on each end and weighed approximately
200 tons. The tires were much taller than a man, 3 feet wide, and cost more
than a new Cadillac.
Working around these machines, and occasionally hitching a ride, was quite an experience for an 18-year-old farm boy.
My job was to operate the water truck, and to help the excavators
by keeping the top of the “blue top stakes visible.” (These stakes
established the lay of the highway).
I worked with these men every day, and would often tease them during our lunch hour. For instance, 5 minutes before time to go back to work, I might playfully say, “I’m the boss, and I think it’s time to get back to work.” Perhaps even worse I would quote something I had overheard the boss say, “Hopefully we can get a little more done than we have the past few days.”
This would usually bring a big dirt clod zinging by, or more
often than not, one of them would get up and chase me; most of the time
they couldn’t catch me, but when they did would just wrestle me to the
ground. But it was all in fun, and I would do it again at the next
opportunity.
One morning a new boss showed up. He was a construction engineer
awaiting an assignment that was soon to open in South America. In the meanwhile,
he would help out on this job, and I was to be his, “helper.”
Most of my new duties consisted of running errands in his truck, (sometimes to
get him a cold drink or a candy bar at the nearest store). We became
friends, and he invited me to go with him to work on the upcoming job in
South America, but at the age of 18, I had other things in mind.
So what does this have to do with the phrase, “in Jesus name?”
As completion time drew near, the work schedule became very
intense. One morning the Federal Highway Inspectors discovered an error in the grade level several miles back. It was still only dirt but was
scheduled to be paved shortly, so the mistake had to be
corrected right away.
The boss called me over and told me that he could not leave what
he was doing and that I was to take his truck and go to where the heavy equipment operators were working. I was to tell them to stop their work
immediately and hurry to this designated area, (about three miles away);
that there would be engineers waiting there to explain what needed to
be done.
“Sure,” I said, “I know exactly where they are.” However, along the
way I began to wonder, would they listen to the youngest employee on the
payroll, so young he wasn’t allowed even to drive their machines, the
one they had tossed mud-clods at, and teased?
After all, these types of moves were usually planned days, and sometimes weeks in advance, and were very expensive.
Still struggling with these thoughts, I found the crew and
delivered the message. To my surprise they didn’t tease, jokingly throw
anything at me, or even ask questions; they just got on their machines
and roared off to their new assignment.
In less than 5 minutes from my arrival, they were
almost out of sight. There, in the midst of the dust, diesel smoke, and
fading rumble of the engines, I began to understand.
They had listened because I was driving the bosses’ personal truck, with his name written on the side. I was delivering the message “in
his name.” His power and authority were behind my every word and action.
So it is when we act in Jesus name because He is our Lord and Master. His name is above every name; His power and authority are above every other power and authority in Heaven, and on earth.
When acting and speaking in the name of my boss I was in the physical world. When we act and speak in the name of Jesus, we are operating in the supernatural spiritual world, where the Holy Spirit and all the powers of Heaven are available to back our prayers, words, and actions.
Samuel Mills
Jonathan: United States
“Pretty cool story! I know this is an experience that you’ll never forget! Thanks for sharing!”
Scripture:
“…My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name. (John 16:23)
“…ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you” (John 15:16).
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do…” (John 14:13).
“Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me (Mark 9:39)
“And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (The Apostle Paul) (Acts 9:29)
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of
the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of
the Lord.” (James 5:14)
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17
There are many excellent studies
regarding speaking or taking action in Jesus Name. The purpose of this
article is to illustrate one of the ways Jesus intends for His name to
be used.
“Lets Teach Our Children to Love”
Why is it so difficult for our educators and society, in general, to understand that love and respect for one another taught from a young age can solve much of the world’s hostility and social problems!
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6).
Love is the answer!
True loyalty springs from the heart and is wrapped in love. It is often in our most private moments that true loyalty, or the lack of it, is made known.
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