John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
How dare Jesus make such a statement, unless of course he meant it…
In these passages we see the heart of God toward us, we are no longer servants, we are now friends. Say it with me, “I’m a friend of God!” I pray you can say that and feel the significance in your heart. You see, as amazing as this transition is, it gets better. Not only did Jesus make us friends through his death, burial and resurrection; he also made us joint-heirs.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Jesus made the conscious decision to share his inheritance with you. So the logical question is what did Jesus inherit? I’m glad you asked.
Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
From Hebrews we see that Jesus inherited “all things” and a “name”. Just think about the fact that you have also inherited all things. What does that mean to you? I urge you to ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation on what that means. I would wager that the only limitation on “all things” is our own sense of what we deserve. We must remind ourselves that we are joint-heirs with Jesus and it’s not about what we deserve.
Jesus also inherited a name above all names. Since we’re co-heirs, we have also inherited that name. The full measure of the idea of a “name” has to do with the power or authority behind the one walking in that name, the integrity of that person, the possessions of that person… basically everything that person stands for or represents is wrapped up in their name. When Christians pray it’s common to tack on “in Jesus name” to the end of our prayer but that phrase is much more than just words, it’s power. If we are truly ambassadors as 2 Corinthians 5 tells us, that means we have been fully equipped, approved and sent by God and he sees us just like Jesus as we go.
Jesus describes this union in John 17 in his prayer before his arrest: 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
We are not simply sinners saved by grace, we are friends of God, children of God and partakers of the authority in which Jesus walks. The next time you use the phrase “in Jesus name” at the end of your prayer, I want you to fully expect that your words have power and the authority of God behind them. Now go and speak life into yourself and those around you.
If you are a Joint-Heir with Jesus, what did Jesus inherit? Download this series for much more on this topic.
IN JESUS NAME: Living In Your Authority and Joint-Inheritance with Jesus (8 Messages)
Joint-Heirs with Jesus
Our Authority in Jesus Name
Betrothed to God
God Says Yes to Over 3000 Promises
Praying According To His Will
Praying in Spirit and Truth
Living in the Paradox of Heaven and Earth
Righteousness Peace and Joy is the Language of the Holy Spirit
