The Name of Jesus

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 to honor God, Jesus bore His name as the Savior-God that the New Testament says He was. It’s important for us to see that the Scriptures honor the name Jesus for several reasons:

• It is the name by which we must be saved. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

• It is the name that establishes the tone for everything a Christian does. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17).

• It is the name at which every knee will bow in a future day. “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11).

From the time of Jesus’ birth until now, many have missed or dismissed the significance of His name. In His childhood days, His neighbors knew Him as the son of Joseph the carpenter. In our generation, many know Jesus only as an expression of anger or profanity. Few understand the many additional names and titles given to Him in the Bible. By discovering His names, we can be led deeper into an understanding of who He is and why He deserves our trust.

What Do You Call Him?

Jesus asked His disciples a critical question: “Whom say ye that I am?” (Mark 8:29). This is the eternal question because it is only by acknowledging Jesus Christ and responding to His gift of forgiveness by faith that a person can live forever in Heaven.

This is the claim of the Bible, and the heartbeat of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ is God and He came into the world to rescue lost humanity. What is your response to that claim and to the evidence that He is the only deliverer for sin-burdened people who are the object of God’s love? Will you receive His gift of forgiveness?

If you already know Him, will you live under His perfect will and wisdom so that He may guide you into a life that pleases Him? May it be so, for He brings peace wherever He reigns!

—Condensed from The Amazing Names of the Messiah by Bill Crowder. Copyright © 2011 by RBC Ministries.