Author: Gary Witcher

Jesus - Name

What's in a name?  Shakespeare notwithstanding, there is a great deal in a name, especially when we are talking about the Bible.  Many of you have noticed how some names in the Bible were specified by God, sometimes even before the person was born.   Other names were changed later in a person's life.  Why did this happen?  It happened because the concept of "name," as used in the Bible, goes beyond the idea of a simple "Joe" or "Karen" or "John" or "Cathy."  It implies the very nature of the person.
In the Bible, the word  "name” used by itself frequently refers to the power   or authority of a person.   Thus we talk about doing something "in the name of the king" or "in the name of the law."  It also is used to imply ownership.
Nowhere are all three of these concepts . . . personality, authority and ownership . . . more evident than in the numerous names applied to the most important figure in history: Jesus of Nazareth.
"Therefore also God highly exalted Him," Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-11, "and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
The name Jesus, in its Hebrew form, means, "Jehovah is my help" or "Jehovah is my rescue."
It is the same as Joshua.  In Greek, the name is related to a verb that means,  "to heal." Matthew 1:21 points out the Hebrew significance by saying, "you shall name him Jesus, because He will save His people."  The Greek aspect of the name is stressed in Matthew 9:11-13 where Jesus is described as the "Great Physician."
Another name that is applied to Jesus in John 1:1 is  "God."   This shows His divine nature, which is supported by the statements that He is eternal (John l7:23,24), the Savior (Titus 2:13), creator (John 1:1-3 & Hebrews l:2,l0), the purpose of creation (Colossians 1:16), Lord (John 13:13), the I Am (John 8:58), adored (Philippians 2:10), glorified (John 17:5) and Divine (Colossians 2:9).
Jesus is also referred to as the "Son of God."  This name was applied to Him when He visited the temple as a 12-year-old, at His baptism, during the temptation, at the transfiguration, in the parables, at Gethsemane and before the High Priest.  It was used by the passers-by when He was on the cross, by the centurion who witnessed the crucifixion, and by Jesus Himself in His final words, "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit."   Hebrews 5:5-8 informs us that, as a   son, He   learned obedience.
Interestingly enough, another name commonly applied to Jesus is "man" (Acts 2:22; 1 Timothy 2:5, & Hebrews 4:15-16).  "Son of man" seems to be one of His preferred names for Himself.  It is used some 82 times, all of which are in the Gospels with the exception of a statement by Stephen in Acts 7:56.  In these Gospel accounts, this name is used only by Jesus, except for John 12:34 where it is quoted in reference to what Jesus has said.
He is also identified as the "Messiah," the anointed one who had been foretold or promised.   Three groups of people were anointed in the Old Testament: prophets, priests and kings.  Jesus qualifies on all three counts.  The importance of this name is seen in Peter's confession in Matthew 16 as well as in the accusations made against Jesus before the High Priest in Matthew 26.  The Jews couldn't accept Jesus as the Messiah because they were looking for someone who was coming to utterly destroy sinners, not to save them.
Jesus is referred to as the "Good Shepherd" (John l0:1-18).   A shepherd generally carried four things: a bag, a rod, a sling and a staff.  The food that was carried in the bag was simple but nutritious.  The sling was used to defend the flock.  The rod was about three feet long and had a lump of wood the size of an orange on the end.  It was also used to fight predators.  The staff was used to pull back straying sheep.  Compare these to the simple, nutritious words of Jesus, which are useful to defend the faithful and correct the erring.  Shepherds were often despised by strict orthodox Jews, but they were usually closer to God.  In Palestine, the shepherd didn’t drive the sheep; he led them.  (Remember what David wrote in the 23rd Psalm?)  The sheep recognized the voice of the shepherd, but they fled from the voice of a stranger.  The shepherd was occasionally called upon to lay down his life for the sheep.  In an area where food and water were scarce, the shepherd had to know where to go or the sheep would die.  Constant care was necessary, and it was not unusual to find a shepherd with a lamb under each arm and another two or three in his cloak.   Each night the sheep were made to pass under the rod so the shepherd could be sure that all were safe.  The sheepfold generally did not have a door.  The shepherd slept in the opening and actually became the door himself.  The Jews had a story to explain why God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  According to this story, a lamb wandered away from the flock that Moses was tending.  He trailed the animal over rugged country, and finally found it at a water hole.  "You poor thing,” he supposedly said, "you ran away because you were thirsty.   You must be tired after walking all that way.  I'll carry you back to the flock."  According to the Jews, God felt that anyone who treated an animal with such kindness would be able to guide the people on their journeys.   We don’t really know why Moses was chosen to lead the Israelites, but   we   do   know   of   Jesus' qualifications as the Good Shepherd.
Jesus is known as the greatest prophet of God.  A prophet is someone through whom God speaks.  He is sent by God and spoken to by God. He belongs to God.   And he testifies against sin and turns men back to God.
Jesus is also represented as the great swordless king (John 18:36).  This title is used by the magi and by the angel who appears to Mary before Jesus is born.  When Jesus enters Jerusalem in John 12:13, the people shout "Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel."  In verse 15 of that same chapter a prophecy is quoted that says, "Fear not, daughters of Zion, behold your King comes sitting on a donkey’s colt."  Many parables talk about a "kingdom."  The term "king" is used against Jesus in Luke 23:2 and John 19:12.  The accusation of following a king other than Caesar is leveled against the Christians in Acts 17:7.
Another title that is applied to Jesus is difficult to translate into English.   He is called the archegos, which means roughly a founder or pioneer.  It is used for the founder of a city, a family or a philosophy.  This name is sometimes translated "prince" and sometimes as "author."  In Acts 3:15, Jesus is referred to as the archegos of life.  So He is the prince or author, or better yet the pioneer, of life.
Acts 5:31 calls Him the archegos of forgiveness.  Hebrews 2:l0 identifies Him as the archegos of salvation.  And Hebrews 12:2 states that He is the archegos of faith.
Although there are many other names that are used to identify Jesus, we will conclude with just one more:  mediator.   This name is used in passages such as Romans 8:34, 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 9:15.  In Athens, disagreements were first brought before mediators, older citizens who tried to bring the two parties together and effect an agreement or compromise.  If this was not possible, they gave their decision.  If one of the parties refused this mediation, the matter went to the law courts, where everything was decided based on strict justice with no mercy.
What do you need?  Do you need help or healing?  Then go to the one with the name "Jesus."  Do you need strength?  Then lean on the One whose name is "God."  Are you looking for a relationship with God?  Then look to the "Son of God."   Are you wanting someone who understands?  Then go to the "Man."  Are you looking for a promise?  Then go to the "Messiah."  Do you want leadership?  Then turn to the "Good Shepherd."  Do you want to know God's will?  Then listen to the "Prophet."   Do you want to take part in a real kingdom that does not come and go?  Then rely on the "Swordless King."  Are you worried about the unknown?  Then follow the  "Pioneer."   Do you realize you can't make it alone?   Then appeal to the "Mediator."
	But none of the above is possible if you don't first know Jesus as your savior.  To really see Jesus, we must see Him first in His true glory (John 12:27-36).
Don't just say you are going to accept Jesus as your savior.  Look at His teaching.  Look at His commandments.  Look at His Truth. Then do what He says, and you will know Jesus as the One who sets you free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."