"In Jesus' Name"

This morning, as I was praying, I couldn't help but think of how habitually we tend to tack "in Jesus' name" on to the end of our prayers. Although it is a very reasonable ending, we seldom take the time to think of what it really means.

Whatsoever you ask in my name,

this I will do,

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

 John 14:13

So Jesus Himself taught us to pray in His name. But notice the qualifier in this verse: "that the Father may be glorified in the Son." I think we sometimes forget that everything we do or request should be for the glory of God.

Now that does not mean that the little things in our lives are not glorifying to God. I think the very fact that we can depend on Him to be interested in the details of our lives does bring God glory. In essence, 1 Corinthians 10:31 captures the essence of the little things that can bring Him glory:

So, whether you eat or drink,

or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

That sounds like details to me!

I think it helps to equate this with a Power of Attorney. When an individual receives a power of attorney, it is given for that individual to act on behalf of another individual. Often that entails tending to financial details for the other person. It would be wrong to use those finances for selfish purposes, even the purchase of something as small as a candy bar.

Furthermore, if we think of the reason we are able to go directly to God in prayer, we will value the privilege even more. It is all because of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf! If you recall, the Old Testament required frequent animal sacrifices made by the priests. The Day of Atonement happened once a year when the high priest, after his own purification and sin offerings, was able to go behind the curtain of the tabernacle, entering the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the people. It was actually risky business to enter God's presence, the place where His glory dwelt.

Consider these verses from Hebrews:

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."

Where there is forgiveness of these, 

there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, brothers, 

since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain,

that is, through his flesh,

and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

let us draw near with a true heart

in full assurance of faith,

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience...

Hebrews 10: 17-22a

Jesus died on the cross to bring us forgiveness of sins. When he died, the curtain in the Temple was torn from the top to the bottom (Matthew 27:51), removing the barrier between us and God. When we accept His sacrifice for us, we gain the freedom to come into God's presence. Our free access to God came at great cost, in a redemption planned by the Trinity in eternity past. 

So when we pray "in Jesus' name", may we remember that the reason we have access to God is because of Jesus' great sacrifice on our behalf, may we remember that our salvation brings glory to God the Father as well as Jesus Christ, and may we remember that asking in His name is a costly gift to us.