Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, let us experience the saving power of Your name. Amen.
Text: Acts 4:8-12
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to the helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Devotion
The name of Jesus Christ had healed the lame man, so that “he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God” (Act 3:8). This name heals all sinners who believe in Him. There is no one else and nothing else that can save us poor lost and condemned people. This miracle of miracles only the name of Jesus can accomplish. Some have sought salvation in the law, some in their Christian name and the outward use of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, some in their penitence and tears, some in their prayers and religious exercises, but none found it there. Peace and life are found only in Jesus Christ, in fellowship of heart with Him through faith.
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Salvation must “be given;” it must be a gift of God, and Jesus is given to us; God’s only-begotten Son became Man and our Savior. “Jesus” was and is His precious name. It is the name above all names and contains God’s love for us, our deliverance from all evil and our eternal salvation. Only in this name can we be saved, and all who are so fortunate to know Him will not be saved by anyone else, and they know in their heart that they could not be saved by anyone else. But by this name we must be saved. You must be saved in the name of Jesus, and it shall happen for you when you believe in Him. As surely as the lame man was healed by this name, so surely you shall be saved in this name. For it is full of saving power and blessed life for poor sinners. Just as the lame man in the power of Jesus’ name leaped about and praised God in the temple, you and I in the sin-forgiving and life-giving power of Jesus’ name will praise God and serve Him in His Church here on earth, and eternally praise Him in the temple of glory there. Only in Jesus is there salvation; nothing but salvation is in Jesus. So our saying should be: “Only blessed, and blessed only in Jesus’ name.”
Closing Prayer
Precious Savior, give us Your Holy Spirit, so that we heartily believe in You, experience the power of Your saving grace, and confess You with confidence and joy. Let none of us by unbelief reject the saving grace of Your precious name. Amen.
Jesus – dearest name to me,
My Redemption early given,
Firstfruit of the heirs of heaven,
For poor souls a Refuge free,
Faith’s strong Banner, vict’ry showing
Hope’s true Anchor ev’ry hour,
Light upon my pathway glowing,
Even in my final hour!
Jesus – sweetest name to know!
O that name without an equal.
Heaven’s Kingdom sweet and regal,
Harbor for my weary soul!
O my heart’s true Expectation,
Heav’nly Treasure in my plight.
O my Joy in tribulation,
O my Light in death’s dark night.
Brorson: Saligheden er os nær L 176:2-3 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Rind nu op i Jesu Navn; alternate hymn: Jesus! Name of wondrous love ELH 156:5-6