There's Just Something About That Name

"Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name.”

I’ve blogged before that I find the great dividing line between “christianists” and “Christians” to be people that are not afraid of the name – people of the name, if you will. Everyone that wants to be politically and fiscally conservative usually claim that they fall in the realm of “Christianity.” But, if I’m just being honest, just having those values doesn't make you Christian, and more often than not - having those values will ensure that you don't act very much like a Christian.

That line that will cause a conservative or a progressive alike, a Republican or a Democrat, to shift uncomfortably in their seats… any of them – is the name of Jesus. People tend to think that only they are privvy to having a label, to being saved. They like to think only "their" kind or their denomination, or their level of being conservative is right... but the relationship - that's the key!! Do you have the name? Are you baptised in the name? Are you walking, living, and proclaiming the name? There IS something about that name. There is something to be said for the power it wields and the peace it brings. You can serve and do great things in service, and never know the owner of that name. You can spend your entire life doing for others and miss the understanding that the name brings.

It’s the name that matters. It’s knowing the owner of the name that matters!

Philippians 2:5-11 “The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: He always had the nature of God, but he did not think that by force he should try to remain equal with God. Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.

He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness.
He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death—his death on the cross.
For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.

And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Bible ascribes many different names to Jesus, all of which provide great insight into His character and person. In biblical times, Israelites would choose a baby’s name based on the child’s characteristics or a hope or prayer of the parent. The names given to Jesus tell a great deal about His ministry on earth roughly two thousand and some twenty years ago. The scriptural names describing Him reveal who He was and is and will be for eternity. These, in their rich variety, throw light on either the person of Jesus Christ or on some aspect of his ministry.

Titles relating to Jesus Christ’s identity

The Exact Image Of God:  Heb 1:3 See also Jn 14:9; 2Co 4:4; Col 1:15
The First and Last, the Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13 “Alpha” and “Omega” are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. See also Rev 1:17; Rev 2:8; Rev 21:6
The Word of God Jn 1:1 See also Mal 3:1; Jn 1:14; 1Jn 1:1; Rev 19:13
The Last Adam 1Co 15:45 See also Ro 5:14
The Bright Morning Star Rev 22:16 See also 2Pe 1:19
The Rising Sun Mal 4:2; Lk 1:78
The Living One Rev 1:18 See also Jn 5:26; Jn 11:25
The Amen Rev 3:14 See also 2Co 1:20
The True Light Jn 1:3-9 See also Isa 9:2; Lk 2:32; Jn 3:19-21; Jn 8:12; Jn 12:46
The Righteous One Ac 3:14 See also Jer 23:6; Jer 33:15-16; Ac 7:52; Ac 22:14
The Lion of Judah Rev 5:5
The King of the Jews Mt 2:1-2; Mt 27:37

The “I am” sayings of John’s Gospel

In John, Jesus had the “I AM” sayings, or really statements about exactly what He was. Jn 8:58 See also
The Bread of Life (Jn 6:35)
The Light of the World (Jn 8:12; Jn 9:5)
The Gate (Jn 10:7-10)
The Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11-14)  
The Resurrection and the Life (Jn 11:25)
The Way (Jn 14:6)
The Truth (Jn 14:6)
The Life (Jn 14:6)
The Vine (Jn 15:1-5)

Titles relating to Jesus Christ’s ministry

The seed of Abraham Gal 3:16 See also Ge 12:7; Ge 13:15; Ge 24:7
The Root and Offspring of David Rev 22:16
The faithful witness Rev 1:5 See also Isa 55:4; Jn 18:37; Rev 3:14
Immanuel Mt 1:23 See also Isa 7:14; Isa 8:8
The capstone Mt 21:42 pp Mk 12:10 pp Lk 20:17 See also Ps 118:22; Ac 4:11; Eph 2:20-21; 1Pe 2:6-7
The rock 1Co 10:4 See also Isa 8:14; Isa 28:16; Ro 9:32-33; 1Pe 2:8
The bridegroom Jn 3:29 John the Baptist describing himself as the bridegroom’s friend, and Jesus Christ as the bridegroom. See also Mt 9:15 pp Mk 2:19-20 pp Lk 5:34-35; Mt 25:1-10; Rev 19:7; Rev 21:2
The firstborn among many brothers Ro 8:29
The first fruits 1Co 15:23
The firstborn from the dead Rev 1:5
The heir of all things Heb 1:2

Titles relating to Jesus Christ’s authority

Lord Ac 2:25 See also Mt 7:21; Lk 6:46; Jn 6:68; Ro 10:13; 1Co 3:5; Col 3:23; 1Th 4:16-17; 2Pe 1:11
The head of the church Eph 1:22-23; Eph 4:15; Eph 5:23; Col 2:19
The Chief Shepherd 1Pe 5:4 See also Mt 2:6; Mic 5:2; Jn 10:11; 1Pe 2:25; Heb 13:20
Prince Ac 5:31
Rabbi Jn 1:38,49; Jn 20:16

Titles emphasising Jesus Christ’s saving work

Jesus: the Lord saves Mt 1:21
Man of Sorrows See also Isa 53:3
The Passover Lamb 1Co 5:7
A Horn of Salvation See also Lk 1:69
The Consolation of Israel Lk 1:68; Lk 2:25,38
The Deliverer and Redeemer Ro 11:26; Isa 59:20
The author and perfecter of salvation Heb 2:10 See also Heb 5:9; Heb 12:2

Titles stressing Jesus Christ’s mediatory status

The Mediator 1Ti 2:5
The High Priest Heb 3:1 See also Heb 2:17; Heb 6:20
The Son of Man Lk 19:10 See also Mt 11:19; Lk 5:24; Jn 3:13; Jn 6:53; Ac 7:56; Rev 1:13

Jesus. There’s just something about that name.

Cheers,

#JustBeingMichael ツ