Why do we pray in Jesus’ name?
The Journey to The Extraordinary Issue 01–2021
I wrote the first draft of this piece sometime between October and November 2020, I think. It was meant to be the eleventh issue of 2020. The perfectionist side of me wanted to tweak this and tweak that. Long story short, I didn’t get those tweaks done and left it in draft until now. Perfectionism is good but sometimes, it is disguised procrastination. I also think because I didn’t let it out then, I never got to writing the other pieces I had planned for 2020. So this is me ditching perfectionism to #justdoit. I can always write a revised version if the need arises. That’s what authors do, yeah?
Also, I realized I was being flat-out self-centred. For this, I am sorry. Over the past months of not writing and publishing, my eyes were opened to my art's transformational impact. My art is beyond me, so I will keep sharing as the Holy Spirit gives inspiration.
Be edified!
The concept of prayer isn’t really odd or infamous. Almost everyone performs this act. However, what draws the line is to whom and in whose name you pray. Have you ever asked yourself why you pray in the manner you do? Today, we explore the matchless name of Jesus and why it makes all the difference.
Last year, I saw Self Made, a film produced in memory of Madam C.J. Walker. She had the vision to open a factory that produces hair products for black women. However, she needed investors. She believed that if she got the endorsement of Booker T. Washington, his male counterparts will invest in her venture. After many failed attempts to reach Washington, she eventually got a one-on-one with him. Sadly, he declined her request. He was afraid that she would empower women and increase their earning power, thus reducing the hold of men over them. How small-minded. After this painful encounter, there was a plot twist. Women, led by Booker T. Washington’s wife (ironic yeah?) pulled funds together and put Madam C.J. Walker in business.
Aaronic Priesthood
For me, Booker T. Washington represents the old order where worshippers had to approach God through the Aaronic high priests for cleansing or whatever they needed from God. The system of going through a human for the endorsement of our right-standing with God was not sustainable. God desired for us to come directly to Him with no filter. He didn’t want the blood of animals for the atonement of sins anymore. Sin needed to be abolished. So how will this sin problem be resolved? Whose blood will be enough to take sin away? “And according to the law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV). For this reason, God caused the virgin, Mary, to conceive by the influence of the Holy Spirit. An immaculate conception (because sin cannot take away sin) devoid of human influence or carnality. Mary birthed Jesus.
Sin
If Jesus’ blood was the only pure blood, able to cleanse humanity, in what manner was it to be offered?
It is written, cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree. In the Jewish culture, death on a tree is seen as a taboo or curse, a symbol of guilt, shame, and oppression — sin, a path to death Jews would rather not take. Fortunately, Jesus wasn’t in the least bothered by this. He said He will be the curse, He will be the sin, He will be the symbol for all your guilt, shame and shortcomings. He will take the fall so you can stand before Him forever. He needed sin abolished once and for all, hence, His journey to the cross(tree). The journey was filled with betrayal, whipping, insults, spite, and hurt. It wasn’t glamourous or easy, but He did it anyway.
Death
As Jesus breathed His last on the cross, something phenomenal happened. The curtain barring worshippers from entering the Holy of Holies, where the high priest made the atonement for sacrifice, was torn into two, top to bottom. The torn veil, His flesh, gives us boldness to ascend into the mountain. It signifies direct access to God. An exchange was made. We were made whole. His righteousness. One that can appear before Him without shame and like Esther, we have the assurance that the golden sceptre will always be pulled out in our favour.
His flesh was smitten, The veil was torn into two. The price was paid. However, that wasn’t all.
Resurrection and the Blood Offering
Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Jesus, went to the burial place of Jesus and found not His body. The tomb was empty. Whilst she stayed there mourning, not knowing what to do, Jesus Christ appeared to her. At first, she thought He was the gardener until He called her name. Out of excitement, she wanted to cling unto Him but He said, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
John 20:17 (NKJV). What was He saying here?
At the point where He met with Mary, He had only resurrected and was on His way to heaven to offer His blood before God the Father. “Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God with us; not that He should offer himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Places every year with blood of another” Hebrews 9:23–25 (NKJV). This was what He was referring to in His interaction with Mary. He was on a mission to offer his blood in heaven, hence, He didn’t want Mary to delay Him. By this action, Christ became our forever High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. After a successful mission, He appeared to His disciples and even ate with them.
The Name
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9–11(NKJV). This scripture summarises the success of the earthly trajectory of Jesus Christ. He had fulfilled His earthly mission and assumed the place as the intermediary between us and God the Father. His obedience was completed and rewarded. He received the patent right as the ONLY entry point to God. The new covenant was established. Man doesn’t need the blood of any man or animal to atone for sin again. Jesus shed His blood once and for ALL.
The purpose of His birth, death and resurrection was to give us a new, bold accessway to God. The mission was completed and as Christ departed in human form into heaven, He promised His Spirit, The Holy Spirit, who will guide us in all our ways. That way, we will always have God with us — Emmanuel.
This is why we pray in the name of Jesus. That is why in a few days from now Christians all over the world will celebrate Easter -Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension.
I tried to make this as succinct as possible. If you have further questions or you desire to start your walk with Jesus, you can reach me on Instagram. Till next time, don’t stop praying in Jesus’ name.
P.S: I need help with making graphics and keeping up the momentum on Instagram as well as other social media platforms. I am learning to ask for help when there is an evident need/limitation. If you are available to help out, I will be most glad to welcome you.
Thank you for staying put up till now. Don’t forget to share with others.
