And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover – Mark 16:17-18
Jesus made this beautiful statement soon after His resurrection, just before He ascended to heaven. The statement isn’t a promise, but a statement of force that bequeaths authority to the Church, the believing ones. It’s a statement of identity. To identify an orange tree for example, you’d have to look at the fruits. In the same vein, Jesus meant His believing ones will be known by these signs: casting out devils, speaking with new tongues, unharmed by serpents and deadly things. Furthermore, they shall lay hands on the sick and the sick shall recover. Notice He didn’t say “they shall lay hands on the sick, and if they pray powerfully enough, something will happen”; no. All you have to do, as a believing one, is to lay your hands on the sick, in the Name of Jesus, and a miracle will happen.
However, as beautiful as these characteristic features of those who believe in His Name are, the most beautiful part of our text is one little construction; the three-word phrase: “In my Name.” The Master gave us the power of attorney to use His Name. We have the authority to act in His stead as His full legal representatives. This is the most awesome thing on the face of the earth! It means you can go anywhere in the Name of Jesus and have heaven’s respect. You can pray in the Name of Jesus and be heard. In His Name, you have authority over devils, you can speak with new tongues, you can take up serpents, if you drink any deadly thing, you’ll not be hurt, and you can lay hands on the sick and they’ll recover. Awesome!
No one ever resisted the Name of Jesus successfully. No demon, sickness or trouble could ever stand against that Name! Not even death could withstand the power in the Name of Jesus. In His Name, you’re more than a conqueror, a victor, and a champion forever. No wonder the Bible says “…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17).
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Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus; I function by the power of that awesome Name today, and I put a stop to every evil work around me, endorsing only those things that are consistent with your plans and purpose for me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Reaching the World with the Gospel of Jesus Christ 