Power is necessary for redemption to happen. In the Old Testament, the power of God was represented by the rod of Aaron. In the New Testament, it\u2019s Christ\u2019s name that represents God\u2019s power.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Moses was briefed on \u2018the power of the rod\u2019 early in his ministry of redemption. (Exodus 4: 2 \u2013 5).<\/p>\n
God instructed him:
\n\u201cAnd thus shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thus shalt do signs\u201d. (vs. 17).<\/p>\n
In the ensuing confrontation with Pharaoh, the rod would play a prominent role. Moses\u2019 first supernatural miracle before Pharaoh was to instruct Aaron to cast down his rod whereupon it turned into a serpent. But before long, the pair had provoked a display of rod power!<\/p>\n
Pharaoh\u2019s wise men and sorcerers quickly took up the challenge and also turned their rods into serpents. Yet this was not to be a game of equals; \u201cAaron\u2019s rod swallowed up their rods.\u201d (Exodus 7:9 \u2013 12).<\/p>\n
God\u2019s power is truly the greatest power in the universe. (1 John 4:4; Ps. 62 : 11).<\/p>\n
All in all, 10 miraculous signs were performed by the miracle-rod of Aaron in the land of Egypt \u2013 each to a counter-miracle by Pharaoh\u2019s magicians – before Israel secured her freedom.<\/p>\n
The challenge put up by Pharaoh came to no avail; it failed to scuttle the plan of God which was to redeem the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage.<\/p>\n
Redemption time is here again; therefore, power is again imperative. (2 Cor. 6:2). The ministers of God charged with proclaiming the gospel of redemption have literally stepped into the shoes of Moses \u2013 save one detail: they wield no rod!<\/p>\n
Christ\u2019s Name is the sole instrument of God\u2019s power in the N.T. and not anything else \u2013 not even a rod!<\/p>\n
In His parting message to His disciples, He told them: \u201cIn MY NAME shall they cast out devils\u2026.they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.\u201d (Mark 16:17 \u2013 18).<\/p>\n
The miracle NAME OF Jesus is even capable of raising the dead to life (Matt. 10:8). In Mark\u2019s gospel account, some who were not known disciples of Christ reportedly used His Name to cast out devils. (Mark 9:38 \u2013 39).<\/p>\n
The miracle-working words \u201cin the name of Jesus Christ\u201d were once again in action when John and Peter came upon the lame man before the beautiful gate (of the Jerusalem temple) and invoked the healing power of God. Instantly the man received healing, leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:1 \u2013 39).<\/p>\n
The efficacy or power of Christ\u2019s name was demonstrated many times over by the apostles and disciples of Christ as they preached the gospel of Christ, \u201cwhich is the power of God,\u201d in various places. (Rom. 1:16).<\/p>\n
The 70 disciples Christ sent on a major evangelistic mission in Israel reported back: \u201cLord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy NAME\u201d.<\/p>\n
Thereupon He told them: \u201cI beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents, and over all the power of the enemy.\u201d(Luke 10:1, 17-19).<\/p>\n
Satan\u2019s power is no match for the power of Christ\u2019s Name. With believers in possession of this power, there should be no cause for fear or worry as we reach the supposed strongholds of Satan with the gospel of Christ.<\/p>\n
When God first called Moses and spelt out to him the mission he was to undertake, he was greatly afraid to do God\u2019s bidding. He considered the task not only daunting, but also potentially dangerous.<\/p>\n
Who was he to confront pharaoh? He voiced his fear: \u201cWho I am, that I should go unto pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?\u201d(Exodus 3 : 11).<\/p>\n
In response, God said: \u201ccertainly I will be with thee\u201d (Exodus 3:12).<\/p>\n
And guess what the visible sign of his presence was \u2013 the rod of Aaron! The deliverance of Israel eventually proved the invincible power of Aaron\u2019s rod.<\/p>\n
In the New Testament, the power of Jesus\u2019 NAME has equally proven effective in destabilizing the strongholds of Satan. For example, a renowned sorceress of Philippi had her evil spirit cast out by Paul \u201cin the name of Jesus Christ,\u201d much to the indignation of her masters who gained a lot by he soothsaying. (Acts 16:16 \u2013 19).<\/p>\n
This stronghold of the devil fell in a day when the anointed apostles of Christ mentioned His mighty NAME.<\/p>\n
The name of Christ is the NAME above all names. As such, it should only be mentioned in time of need, for example, to heal the sick, cast out devils, etc. (Phl 2 :9 -11, Ps.50 : 15).<\/p>\n
Jesus is the ONLY NAME \u201cunder heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.\u201d (Acts 4:12).<\/p>\n
May we come to trust in His Name for our healing, power and salvation, for HIS NAME is truly WONDERFUL. (Isa. 9:6).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Power is necessary for redemption to happen. In the Old Testament, the power of God was represented by the rod of Aaron. In the New Testament, it\u2019s Christ\u2019s name that represents God\u2019s power.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gospel-message"],"yoast_head":"\n