In asking the Father to hallow his name, Jesus was asking the Father to make his own name holy and sanctified.  In essence, Jesus wants God the Father to reveal himself in such a way that the Fathers glory would be unmistakable, that his holiness would be revered and demonstrated to us and to the world.  That in the saying of His name it would spark awe and reverence.  He is revealing to us that the father is approachable and at the same time awe inspiring and magnificent.

Interestingly, It’s the first thing that Jesus asks for, nothing for himself, nothing for anyone else, but that the father would hallow his name.  Your name is part of your identity who you are. In the bible names are significant, they revealed the character of the individual, their actions who they were 

Psalm 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

It reminds me of a few weeks ago, I was invited to share at Advent schools spirit week to some of our elementary school students.  While sharing I mentioned a name and they went bonkers, okay mostly the girls, but some of the boys too, and no that name wasn’t Jesus, it was Taylor Swift. At just the mentioning of T-Swifts name it sparked an emotion, a feeling, and caused a reaction. Some of you are right now probably humming a song, or rolling your eyes, hahaha.  Think about these, The King of Pop, The Sultan of Swat, the Gipper, did you immediately know who these were referencing.  By their reputations you knew, Michael Jackson, Babe Ruth, Ronald Reagan. Don’t worry, by the end of my talk with the students they were cheering the name of Jesus!  But this is what Jesus is praying for and teaching us to pray for, that the Father’s name would evoke an awe inspiring response and acknowledgement. 

He taught us to pray first, that the father would Glorify his own name, make himself famous in the world based on his character. God is Love, good, truth, gracious, kind, faithful, longsuffering, just, righteous, and merciful, and these are just a few of the characteristics of our Heavenly Father.  Jesus shows us to pray that God would make his name known, showing his glory and his good works throughout the world.  He is a loving Father who loves us and welcomes us into his presence, this should be our priority, not our comfort, not our needs, but that God would make himself famous.  Through this His will will be accomplished in the world, and in and through each of us.  This leads us to tomorrow’s segment as Jesus teaches us to pray for the will of God to be done. 

So as we pray the Lord’s prayer today, reflect on this line, in praying hallowed be thy name, that we truly would look and desire for God to glorify himself in the world and through our lives, that he would make himself famous, so that when his name is mentioned people would burst out in glorious praise and cheer to the only one who is deserving of all the praise, glory, and honor today and forevermore! 

And remember,

Jesus Loves you, and so do I!

Pastor Will