In Jesus' Name

When we pray in Jesus' name what do we imply and implicate? It seems odd to pray to Jesus in Jesus' name but God's name is one and co-equal, but not interchangeable, and by no means do we pray presumptuously or in an overly familiar pattern like we're being best bud; however, we can pray like one of the family of God. Jesus exhorted us to ask anything in His name in prayer (according to His will) and Paul said, all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Does this necessitate knowing Jesus' actual, official name or title? In Aramaic, His name was Yeshua or Joshua as we would say it Anglicized. Are Christians who believe in Jesus and those in Yeshua both saved and praying to the same God? Today, many youths believe all monotheistic religions pray to the same God, just by different names.

There is nitpicking and anyone who thinks we have to get all our doctrine straightened out to be saved doesn't know the Lord. It is vital to know to Whom we are praying and Whom we trust, not their official title or name. The name of Jesus refers to His authority and power at the right hand of God. We may all know Christ by a different name, but what is fundamental and essential is that we know the Lord in our hearts. Obviously, if you don't feel comfortable with a father figure, you may refrain from calling God your Father (cf. Isa. 9:6), but you have the divine right and privilege to do so, which is a status symbol in heaven. When we command demons in Jesus' name to leave or begone, we are using His authority, not ours. They know Jesus, not you!

We must understand that in every tongue they call Jesus by a different name by custom, though by transliteration or close pronunciation (as allowable). The Spanish refer to Jesus, but pronounce it differently, the Germans may say Jesu, and the Swedes Jesus, but they all pronounce it quite unique to their tongue without a J sound. What's more important, the spelling or the pronunciation then? But we all know to whom we are referring--the only begotten Son of God!

Doctrine is important, but it's not everything and even sincerity isn't, where one's heart resides is the most vital link to eternal life. We will be rewarded for all our deeds done in the name of Jesus, and that doesn't mean according to our perception of it, but to honor and glorify the one and only begotten Son of God. Some will do good deeds in Christ's name but lack saving faith, simply trusting in their works, not in Christ. To suffer for the sake of the Name is an honor, though.

The crux of the matter, then, is knowing Him, not in being a linguist! How do we know that translating a name is copacetic with God and He doesn't forbid it? Greek translates Hallelujah as alleluia because there's no H! In Greek, there is no J sound! They translate Jesus name, nevertheless with it. With a J sound would've sounded strange to them.

We know that translating is approved because we have the Septuagint into Greek and it was quoted by the apostles and church fathers, who even wrote in Greek. Luke wrote Acts 9:36 saying that Tabatha is translated: Dorcas.  We don't go around like Germans telling people to believe in Jesus Christus! In German a Christian is a "Christ," and a Christ is Jesus Christus, or Jesu Christi! Just like when immigrants come to America they usually Anglicize their names to they don't sound fresh off the boat. Though it seems odd that Hispanics name their children Jesus, they call the Lord Senor too like we would say, Mr. Jesus! Thus, we know the Son of God by the Anglicized name "Jesus."

Soli Deo Gloria!