HE IS THE SAVIOR
What’s in a name? Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet made this question famous. They fall in love before learning they bear the names of rival families. Romeo is a Montague and Juliet a Capulet. Willing to deny name before love, Juliet cries out, “Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” A few lines later, Juliet asks, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”
A name is important. From the day of our birth, our parents use our name to link us to their own preferences and values. People name their sons Peter and Paul, and their dogs Nero and Brutus. But no one uses the name Judas-not even for a dog.
Prov 3:3-4 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Prov 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
When you don’t have a good name people choose to avoid you. In most cases your name is associated with your actions whether good or bad.
The significance of a name was particularly true in Bible times. In both Old and New Testaments, names were used to express personal experience or express character. Name are important to people in the Bible Names are important to the people of the Bible.
Nowhere is this more significant than in the one who, according to the New Testament, has a name that means “Savior.”, we read words attributed to an angelic messenger speaking to Joseph: Matthew 1:21She will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
The name Jesus means “Jehovah our Savior.” It is the New Testament equivalent of the Hebrew name Joshua, Yeshua, or Hoshea. While others wore these names in honor of God, Jesus bore His name as an expression of the Savior-God that He was.
Whether or not we have accepted the claims of the New Testament regarding Christ, it’s important for us to see that the Scriptures honor the name Jesus for several reasons. According to Scripture:
It is the name by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12″Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”
It is the name that is to set the tone for everything a Christian does. Col. 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”
Phil 2:10-11that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
Isaiah used a name that demonstrates the arrival of the servant-ruler who would illustrate to the world a blend of power and suffering. None of this was fully understood until after the life, death and resurrection of the God-Man Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6 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.
God – Jesus is called God in several passages in the Bible. Along with His sinless life, miracles, and resurrection from the dead, His claims to be God stand firm John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Lord – In the New Testament, this term is used as a salutation to honor a man of distinction. The disciples used this term to salute Jesus as their teacher and master Matthew 22:43-44 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] ” ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’?
Word – This title was used by the apostle John to describe the mission of Jesus. The title states Jesus’ Godhead and eternal and absolute deity (John 1:1, 14).
Messiah – The long awaited “anointed one” who would deliver Israel. Jesus came to deliver mankind from sin and death (John 4:25-26). Woman at the well
Alpha and Omega – These two characters were the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This descriptive title expresses the eternal nature of God – the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8; 22:13).
Redeemer – “One who frees or delivers another from difficulty, danger, or bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price.” In the New Testament, Jesus is viewed as the ultimate Redeemer who gave His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45, Titus 2:14). Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Light of the World – Jesus is the Person who brings true knowledge of God. Those who reject this light bring judgment upon themselves (John 8:12; 3:19-21).
Lamb of God – This title refers to the Old Testament sacrificial system where God accepted the blood of animals as atonement for sin (John 1:29, 36). Jesus’ blood made atonement for sin!
Ruler of Creation – Christ existed before the creation of the world and He is sovereign over it (Revelation 3:14). Ruler of God’s Creation.
Mediator – Because Jesus is fully God, He can represent God to man. Because He is fully man, Jesus can represent man to God. Reconciliation is possible. 1 Timothy 2:5.
Bread of Life – Jesus is the one and only supplier of true spiritual nourishment (John 6:35). Way, Truth, and Life – Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only source of truth, and the foundation of all life (John 14:6)
Savior – Jesus is the person who rescues mankind from an eternity in hell.
Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says– he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Phil 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,