Late at night, shortly before Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, tortured and killed on Good Friday . . . . Jesus was praying. He prayed that, once He had completed His work and gone home to heaven, His followers here might have something of unimaginable power and value. This “gift” would change EVERYTHING. It would change them. And, it would change the world.

Let me read for you exactly what Jesus was asking for in that incredible prayer: John 17:11 “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.”

It’s a NAME. But – it’s not just any name, this Name brings with it supernatural power. Just look at what Peter was able to do – using that Powerful Name: Acts 3:1-10

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

That Name of Jesus connected them to the limitless supernatural power of the One and Only True God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This poor man was crippled from birth, everyone knew it, and they knew and recognized him, and now . . . by the Power of the Name of Jesus . . . he was healed!

Not only did the disciples have this incredible, miraculous HEALING power . . . they themselves were changed and transformed by it. No longer were they hiding behind locked doors. No longer were they afraid of the religious leaders who put their Lord to death. No longer were they afraid of death. No longer were they afraid of ANYTHING!

We see that boldness and strength in the disciples as they faced the same wicked and powerful men who spat at the Lord of life, and handed Him over to be crucified. We’ll pick it up in Acts chapter 4:5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Not only did they now have supernatural, miraculous healing POWER, not only were they now unafraid to stand up to the most powerful men in the city . . . they also had, by the power of that Name, the source of eternal life itself. The ONLY way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ, and they would now boldly proclaim that Name to the whole world . . . for the salvation of countless souls, right down to this very day. No one would, or could, stand in their way.

Notice what happened next: Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

No one could stop the Name of Jesus Christ from spreading out across this world. It’s gone out everywhere, and come right down to us. That same, supernatural Name of Jesus, is right here . . . in our hands.

I don’t know if you are a “visual” person or not, but I am. I think it helps to visualize this powerful gift, so we understand a little bit better what it is we actually have. Imagine the Name of Jesus . . . as a spiritual (perhaps glowing blue) spherical orb, in your hands. That name JESUS is written on the outside of it. And, on the inside, you can see . . . who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done. There – inside that sphere, you can see his creative power at work when the universe was born. You can see Him walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden / walking with Abraham / wrestling with Jacob / there as a baby in Bethlehem / in the Temple as a boy / calling his first disciples when His ministry began / performing many miracles / teaching the crowds / walking on water / entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday / celebrating the Passover with his disciples / praying in Gethsemane / on trial before the High Priests, then Pilate / enduring torture and ridicule / nailed to the cross / appearing to the women by the empty tomb / appearing to the other disciples / ascending into heaven . . . . it’s all right there inside that supernatural blue orb.

It was in the hands of the disciples, and it gave them the power to heal people, become bold and strong, and transform the world by bringing salvation to so many souls. And . . . it’s in YOUR hands now too.

I don’t know about you, but there is an element of this that’s kind of scary. When I think of how the Apostles properly used and held out the Name of Jesus . . . . and what I and God’s people today have done with it, I feel rather ashamed. The 2nd Commandment tells us not to misuse the Name of the Lord our God . . . and we have. We have hidden it. We have tarnished it, by our words, attitudes, and actions. We have covered it up. We have been ashamed of it, neglected it, and treated it as less important than worthless material things.

We certainly don’t deserve to have this Name at all . . . but we do. By GRACE alone – it’s ours. Look into that sphere again, and see who Jesus is, and what He’s done for you, that His blood covers up each and every sin, and the fact that God wanted to place this priceless treasure in our hands.

Ummm . . . do we have the power to heal people? Sure – we do. The power is in that Name. Jesus said, John 14:13 “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” When we pray for healing – it will be answered. The Lord Himself will decide when the healing will take place. It could be anytime – from Judgment Day (at the far end) when all the dead will rise and our physical bodies will be totally restored to perfect health . . . to the very moment we ask Him. It’s up to Him, and HE knows what’s best . . . but Jesus’ Name DOES carry limitless power, and He WILL answer our prayers. Do we have power and confidence to be bold and strong – as bold and strong as the disciples were in our text? YES – of course!! When doubts, fears, guilt, despair – gang up on you and plague your heart – look to that Name God has placed in your hands and say, “In the Name of Jesus – who died for me – go away!!” When life presses down on you and you feel like you can’t handle it . . . look into that Name and say, “In the Name of Jesus – I am STRONG. I can face my strongest enemies, and nothing can take my Lord from me!” As you look around and see countless souls in spiritual darkness, suffering and dying in hopelessness – look at what you have! Salvation is in your hands! Tell them about Him. God will use us to continue on the work the Apostles did, the power is not in us (or them) it’s in the Name God has given us.

My prayer is simply that you remember this: The Supernatural Power of Jesus’ Name is in your hands. Treasure it, and use it wisely!