Today’s Scripture:
Mark 16:17-18 NIV
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Names carry authority and access, open doors, and give status. Yes, names carry power. From way back, we have been naming things. God gave us this pattern when he created man. He gave the first man he created the name Adam. But not only was a man given a name, but God caused the man to name the wild animals, the birds, and the livestock. Whatever the man Adam named it, that's what it was called.
Adam was given dominion upon the earth and over everything on the earth. His name carried power and authority...but that was short-lived. Adam succeeded in his birthright or his name and authority to the enemy when the serpent, the devil, deceived him and his wife, Eve. Authority and dominion were taken from them.
Fast-forward to the New Testament, we find the same naming system in place. Names carry power and authority and give access. Take, for example, the president of the United States, Joe Biden; if you are associated with him and you need to get into one of his meetings, you are granted access based on association and the fact that you were given authority and access to enter that room. They know this because you have the access card that reflects and represents the authority granted to you by the president. No one will question your right to be in the room because of the president's name; he has given you access in his name.
In our text, Jesus tells his disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel. He then told them that signs would follow them. He, in essence, tells them, I am giving you back the authority that Adam had in the Old Testament that was given to the devil. He says I'm giving you power and authority in my name. He says, "In my name, you will drive out demons; you will speak in new tongues; you will drink poison, and it will not hurt you; you shall lay hands on the sick, and they will get well."
All of this, Jesus says, is done in his name. Why was Jesus giving them this instruction? He gave them a pattern that, if followed, would make them invincible and powerful. In other words, Jesus finished and completed the work that Adam failed to do; now, power was restored to mankind. How was it restored? In the name of Jesus? Because he took back power, authority, and dominion from the enemy. He said all power is given unto me. Now, use my name, and you will have that same power, like the president's or Daddy's names. Authority and power come through Jesus's name. It's in his name!
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