Second Edition: I have started editing posts from several years ago and reposting them. I am doing this for two reasons: (1) to make them more easily available and (2) to “spruce” them up a little. Enjoy!
Why names? What’s in a name? I have one. You have one. Everybody I ever met had one. Simply names are used for identification. Looking at basic grammar and parts of speech, we learn that a noun names a person, place, or thing. Please bear with me as I spend time talking about the obvious because I am building background.
Places have names, the White House, the Golden Gate Bridge. Streets and roads have names, which is how we gain an address. Events have names: the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl. Some animals have names. Our horses and cats have names. Exclusive names are proper nouns and must start with a capital letter. Our horses’ names are Sash and Flicka. They are exclusive because there is only one Sash and one Flicka. However, names sometimes are about categories. The word, horses, names a category and is inclusive of all horses. Hence, the category, horses, includes Sash and Flicka.
I have a first name, a middle name, and a last name. These further clarify identity. These make me exclusive because there is only one me. However, the inclusion of a last name moves into a category of inclusion because it connects with a family with the last name of Daniel. Actually, it is also a category of exclusion because anyone without the last name of Daniel is excluded. To be more precise, or more confusing, subcategories are involved. There is the exclusive Daniel name category that includes only my family of origin, Dad, Mom, and siblings. There is also the Daniel name category that includes my children and my siblings’ children, and our children’s children. This could go on and on by looking backward with the category of my Dad’s family of origin, etc. You get the picture.
Another feature of names includes the addition of a rank or title linked to a position. These features provide greater detail. Examples: President Trump, Judge Roberts, Congressman Tipton, Governor Newsom, Commissioner Jones, Pastor Stanley. Sometimes it is a matter of rank. Examples: Col. Tucker, Commander Wolfe, Master Sargent Hopkins, Captain Copley, General Flynn.
In my experience, I have had the titles of Principal Daniel, Superintendent Daniel, Professor Daniel, and others. These additions indicate what the named person does or did. As we examine the names of Jesus, we will see that His names are always exclusive and tell about what He does or did. We will also see that His names address the issue of rank and position.
As we explore the many names, titles, and descriptions of Jesus, it is good to reflect on the fact that the Lord has chosen to reveal Himself to us. The many names and descriptions provide multiple perspectives and views of who He is, so that He becomes more real, and then we can love him more.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).
Immanuel
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:23).
This is a message in a dream from an angel to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, telling him to take Mary to be his wife. The angel is quoting Isaiah 7:17. This is a message of the arrival of the promised Messiah. Just think of it, “God is with us”. What a wonderful message and blessing. Jesus is God, and He is with us. This makes Him more real and more loved.
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).
These names for the Lord Jesus take away my breath. The name Wonderful speaks of worthiness to receive worship. Somehow Wonderful is inclusive of all He is and all He has done. Counselor speaks of one who comes close providing guidance and advice for facing the challenges and troubles of life. The Mighty God speaks of His great power. The word, Mighty, is awe-inspiring.
The Everlasting Father assures that He is forever and ever and that He will not be leaving or going away. Prince of Peace tells of relief from war, conflict, and turmoil. These names make me feel really safe and at rest. Each of these names makes Him more real, and each makes me very thankful to be His child, and it really makes me love Him more.
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Can you read this verse without thinking of the Hallelujah Chorus? These names fill my heart with worship, and I cannot hear these names without tears. Contrast this with the humiliation of Jesus in the way He was treated before Pilate and His suffering on the cross. He is our hero and, in these names, He is being honored. Once again, He becomes more real and I love Him more.
Lamb of God
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).
John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. He also proclaims the mission of Jesus. Clearly, this name signifies Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. We may have images of a lamb as weak, soft, and cuddly. Certainly, we would never think of a lamb as dangerous. But this lamb is the Lamb of God, and although He humbled Himself to be the righteous sacrifice, He is not weak. Take heed to this series of verses from Revelation where His name as the Lamb is repeatedly used. This Lamb is not meek and mild!
They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers(Revelation 17:14).
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! (Revelation 6:16).
and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations (Revelation 16:13).
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1).
Son of God and Loved Son
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).
But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am. (Luke 22:69-70).
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! (Matthew 17:5).
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased (Matthew 3:16-17).
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).
Jesus is identified as the Son of God both as a title and as a Son in a relationship with the Father. The Father calls Jesus his beloved Son. I am my father’s son, and sometimes he addressed me as son, but my name is Elden. I am known as a son of Arvy. Son of God is a title that declares a relationship. As a son of Arvy, I am of the same nature, two human beings with the last name of Daniel. In that sense, we are equal. Jesus, as the Son of God, is equal, and the Father and the Son are God.
Here is an interesting point. The Father declared Jesus as His Son. Jesus declared Himself as the Son. Believers recognize and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. Notice that Satan and his demons also identify Jesus as the Son of God.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3).
If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” (Matthew 4:6).
When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (Matthew 8:28-29).
Chief Cornerstone
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (1Peter 1:6-7).
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. A cornerstone represents the initial starting place in the construction of a monumental building and is considered essential, indispensable, or basic. This name declares that Jesus is most important and that everything rests on Him. Without Him, there is no building. This declaration of importance makes Jesus more real and makes us love Him more.
Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End… (Revelation 21:6).
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).
I picture alpha and omega as two bookends. Everything starts and begins with Jesus, and everything will end with Jesus. Everything else fits within these two ends. Clearly, Jesus is the preeminent One. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). This name, like Chief Cornerstone, proclaims the essentialness of the Lord Jesus. This essentialness makes Jesus more real, and hence we can love Him more.
Son of Man
But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man (Mark 2:10).
I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Luke 12:8-10).
So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34).
As you know, the Passover is two days away–and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified (Matthew 26:2).
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners (Matthew 26:45).
but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48).
The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him! (Luke 22:22).
…Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61-62).
If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” (Luke 22:67-70).
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done (Matthew 16:27).
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).
Are you wondering why so many verses are about the name Son of Man? You probably noticed in reading these verses that Jesus is doing the talking. I am sure you noticed that I put Son of Man in bold font. Jesus identified Himself most often in Scripture as the Son of Man. The name declares that He is both God and man. He is declaring the incarnation. As man, He is able to connect with mankind, as God, He is able to be our Savior. The power of this name makes Jesus more real and also creates deeper love from those who know Him.
Jesus (Yeshua)
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
The name for Jesus was given by an angel in a dream to Joseph. The name Jesus comes from a Hebrew word, Yeshua. The word comes from a verb, yasha, which means to deliver, save, or rescue. Greek translations list the yeshua as yesous from which we derive the name Jesus. Sometimes the name Jesus is associated with the name Joshua. In some English Bibles, Joshua is stated as Jeshua. Of course, Joshua, along with Moses, was a deliverer or savior for the Jewish people out of Egypt. Jesus is a personal name and speaks of Him as our Savior. The name makes Jesus seem closer and more real and more loved.
The Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life (1 John 1:1).
The Lord Jesus is identified as the Word. The significance of this name is reflected from the beginning when the Lord spoke creation into existence. “And God said…” (Genesis 1:3). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:6). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:9). “Then God said…” (Genesis 1:11.) “And God said…” (Genesis 1:14). “And God said…” (Genesis 1:20). “Then God said…” (Genesis 1:26.) Get the picture?
There is power in God’s words. Interestingly, Jesus is identified as the Word. Jesus is also truth and truth is proclaimed with words. “in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians 6:7). “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (James 1:18). Picturing Jesus as the Word makes Him more real and we love Him more.
Master
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm (Luke 8:24).
Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” (Luke 9:49).
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18 KJV).
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee (Matthew 12:38 KJV).
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matthew 23:8 KJV).
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matthew 23:10 KJV).
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. (Matthew 26:25 KJV).
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) (Luke 9:33).
Look at all these verses where Jesus is addressed as Master. Other translations sometimes use the word Teacher instead of Master. This is a term of respect and honor. Notice that Jesus is the only one to be recognized as the Master. Interestingly, both those who are friendly to Jesus and those who are unfriendly called Him Master. Knowing Jesus as Master makes Him more real and more loved.
Messiah/Christ
He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah ” (which translated means Christ) (John 1:41 NASB).
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us (John 4:25-26).
Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else? (Matthew 11:3 NLT).
If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded (Mark 9:41 NLT).
We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago (Luke 24:21 NLT).
Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory? (Luke 24:26 NLT).
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation (Colossians 1:15 NLT).
Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything (Colossians 1:18 NLT)
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:2 NLT).
This is a sampling of verses in the Bible where Jesus is given the title of Messiah or Christ. Messiah is the Hebrew term, and Christ is the Greek term. The meaning is the Anointed One. This is the name given to the expected Savior that God would send as prophesied in the Old Testament. There are many Old Testament prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah, but I have chosen not to include them.
As we read through the verses, you can see that the people were expecting the appearance of the Messiah. We also see that Jesus acknowledged that He was the Messiah. We see references back to the prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament, including that He would suffer. We also see the great blessings that come with being connected to the Messiah/Christ. These verses and the information that comes with them make Jesus more real, and so we love Him more.
Savior
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 1:25).
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11).
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).
but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10).
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14).
Savior is a name of Jesus that highlights what He did. He came to rescue us from sin and death. The Father gave His one and only Son so that we would not perish but have eternal life. Each of His names expands our understanding of who He is, but Savior drives home what He accomplished for every believer that each could not do for themselves. Ponder the thought of not perishing. Ponder the thought of eternal life. For each member of mankind, it is one or the other.
Think about this and be amazed. Think about this and feel loved. Each believer is part of His joy.
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Adventures in Biblical Thinking 