Unwrapping the Names of Jesus

Jesus was called by many names throughout his lifetime.  These names explain his identity, character and purpose.  It would take more than a short blog to mention them all but let us look at some of the names we hear at Advent and unwrap their meanings.

 

In some cultures a baby would be named after the father or another relative to honor them. Sometimes the names given were to reflect current events. An angel specifically told Joseph to name the child Jesus. The name JESUS was a common name and comes from the Hebrew Yeshua, which means Yahweh saves or the Lord is salvation. In English it is similar to Joshua.  This was the human name he was called by all of his friends and family.

 

 

 

One of the scriptures we read every Christmas comes the book of Isaiah. Jesus came to fulfill this prophecy so why wasn’t he called “Manny”? Because Immanuel  means “God with us” and descibes his identity and purpose. The Lord Himself stepped out of eternity and glory to make Hs home with mankind and chose to be limited like us. Jesus is the Living Word of God who came to earth to experience everything just like we do.

Jesus had family and friends he celebrated holidays with. Jesus had to take long road trips, learn a trade and he experienced misunderstanding and loss. He had brothers and sisters (we never think about the family dynamics!)    God is with us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus had promised his disciples to send a Comfortor, The Holy Spirit, when he was physically gone.

 

 

John 1:14   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

We can understand the excitement of the shepherds when we unwrap the message they received from the angels.  (Besides being scared out of their wits)  Bethlehem was the city where King David was born. God had made a covenant or promise to David that one day one of his ancestor’s would sit on his throne forever. ( 2 Samuel 7)  Other scriptures tell specifically where the Messiah would be born. The word Christ means annointed one and LORD is another name used for God.  This new baby was royalty. (King Herod undertood the message when the wise men came inquiring.)

Over the centuries Israel was ruled by many kings good and evil.  They had broken God’s laws and followed other gods. They needed a savior.

Many years later the crowds would shout this in praise while proclaiming Jesus’ royalty just before they turned and crucified Him. Hosanna means “save or rescue us”.

 

Mark 11:9–10  And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

 

Let’s unwrap the meaning of another prophecy from the book of Isaiah often read at Christmas. This fortold the very nature of  the Messiah that would come. He would come as a physical child.  The very Son of God who is the Mighty God would rule the nations.  Diety incarnate.  He would be a wonderful counselor who brought peace from God and with God. He is Our Eternal Father.

Over the course of centuries many babies have been born and become a king.  Only once in history did a KING become baby.

We cannot be good enough or work hard enough to earn our peace with God.  He hates sin because it broke mankinds’ relationship with Him.  Sin cannot abide with Him in His glory so God Himself made a way.

He came to save us, live with and in us and give us peace.

 

 

John 14:6    Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Luke 24:46–47   “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,  and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

 

 

Christmas is not about presents, eating lots of food or decorations.  It is not about anything we hold in our hands. It is the gift that is in our hearts. Will you unwrap God’s gift this Christmas?