From Door to Dominion

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!” Luke 24:1-7 NIV

The question of the angel is directed to these faithful women coming to a cemetery to worship a dead Jesus, but the same question is just as relevant to followers of Christ in our time.

If we were to re-phrase the angel's question we could say:-
•    Why are you relating to Jesus like a hero of History? A respected dead person?
•    Why do you worship Him only for what He did as a person on Earth?
•    Why are you saying ‘the Lord is our Shepherd’ and then behaving like you are abandoned and left to the resources of your own intellect?

But Jesus declares:
“I am the living one, I was dead but behold I am alive for ever and ever!”  Rev 1:18 

The Holy Spirit is working in our lives to make us like the Jesus that is glorified, not the Jesus that was crucified!!

“Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Col 1:12-14 NIV

‘Sins forgiven’ and ‘going to Heaven’ is not the primary reason why Jesus died for you on the Cross.  He provided the doorway to rescue you from under the dominion of darkness and to qualify you to share in the inheritance of Christians in the kingdom of light.

 “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” John 10:9 NIV

Gates are entry points that enable us to pass into another place and Jesus is telling us that through His work as our Saviour we are enabled to enter the Kingdom of God.

At the Cross we are reminded of all we are not that caused the Saviour to die for us… but don’t stay there.

Realise that His Death was giving you a Door… keep moving through that Door into the Victory and benefits that Jesus died to bring you into!
In Biblical terms ‘the name of Jesus’ is a positional term not a verbal utterance. 

"’By what power or what name did you do this?’
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people… It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” Acts 4:7-11 NIV

In the Bible God reveals His character and nature to us through His various Names.  Referring to Jesus Christ the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah says:-

“And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.”  Isa 9:6-7 NIV

So to ask or do something in the Name of Jesus is a reference to the revelation of Jesus that we are living in, and from that revelation comes the manifestation of His authority into our situation.

So saying ‘in the name of Jesus’ is not the same as ‘BEING’ in the name of Jesus.

When we are in living union with the glorified Christ we are living a shepherded life of hearing and response with the person of Jesus…

Thank God for the Cross but don’t stay there beating your chest about how Jesus suffered for you and how unworthy you are …

Yes, Jesus died for you but now He lives for YOU!! …Move through the door and into His dominion!!