February 25, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - What’s in a name?
Luke 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
The reason I separated these verses is to reveal a point. Verse 46-50 are all part of one conversation. Notice, after the disciples reasoned who was the greatest, the Lord revealed that the greatest were those who were the least. Jesus used a child to illustrate the point for the child who was the least in stature and strength and knowledge and understanding was the greatest.
To receive in the name of the Lord Jesus is to receive God the Father. “whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me:” The point is receiving in the name of Jesus.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The name of Jesus is the key for the name of Jesus means Jehovah is salvation. We are talking about God. If you name the name of Jesus you are naming God.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Now, with all that being said, we have a man who named the name of Jesus and was casting out devils and was questioned and rebuked by the disciples.
To name the name of Jesus is to submit, yield and trust in the Jesus to the saving of the soul.
This man could have never cast out devils in Jesus name without knowing Jesus. (Never mind what the movies say and the stories you hear.)
I am reminded of Acts 19 where someone who tried to do the same thing found out the truth of trying to name Jesus without knowing Jesus.
Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
We see a vast difference between the sons os Sceva and the man who truly named Jesus.
Luke 9:49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
If you are going to name the name of Jesus make sure you truly know who Jesus is. If you are going to name the name of Jesus, then live like you know Jesus.
2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
