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At the Name of Jesus
Likely, we will never know the real cause of all the shouting and shoving that erupted on that hot, summer day among the homeless.
Weekly, several churches and individuals came to the park to serve in one capacity or another, to the needy and homeless who gathered.
A friend and I had been ministering to the crowds gathered there every Saturday for the past 6 1/2 years.
We learned the first names of the homeless. We talked to them, and cared about them.
Simply, we shared Jesus with our prayers, conversation, printed Bible verses, Bibles, and snacks. We shared information about nearby shelters, churches that served meals, and the like as well.
That day the intense heat coupled with the large number gathered who were addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Something sparked in someone and the anger exploded.
The shouting grew louder.
Curses and threats filled the air.
We heard the loud voices carry across the field to the other side of the park where my ministry partner and I were working.
“It’s turning into a riot!” I said to him.
He agreed. “Head over there or not?” he asked.
Before I could answer, from the midst of the angry voices, one very elderly woman jumped up and SCREAMED in a voice that carried across the 8 or 9-acre park to where we stood.
“JESUS!!!!!” she screamed. “JESUS!!! JESUS!!! JESUS!!!”
It felt as though she said that name of power and love and help a thousand times, when in actuality, it might have only been 20 times.
There was an eerie silencing throughout the park.
Then her voice dropped into a soft petition that still was heard over the now silent crowd.
“Help us, Jesus!!!! We need you, Jesus!”
“Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”
The crowd dispersed.
No finer words in a sermon could have ever been preached.
Nothing said could have been more powerful.
Luke 10:17 tells us that the devils were powerless because of Jesus’ name.
Mark 16:17-18 teaches us that demons were cast out in Jesus’ name.
Acts 3 tells us of healing in Jesus’ name.
Acts 4 tells us that salvation comes in Jesus’ name.
Someday all will bow at the Name of Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11
I wasn’t there during those New Testament times, but I fully plan to be bowing at the Name of Jesus one fine day in Heaven.
I know His Name holds Power, then, now, and forever and forever.
We saw what it did when prayed in faith at the start of a riot,
by one small, needy, poorly dressed, old woman standing up in the midst of a large, angry crowd
and calling on the all powerful, all healing, all saving, all mighty, all holy Name of Jesus!
And I, for one, will never forget it.