God, the Son – The Name of Jesus

When the prophet Isaiah wrote about the name of the Messiah, he listed several terms, which describe many of the characteristics of His nature. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Prior to His incarnation, however, He was simply known as the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14).

When He was born into this world, He was given the name, Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25). This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Joshua. Both of these names literally mean, Savior (Luke 2:11). Christ is not His last name, but rather His title (Matthew 1:16). This is the Greek form of Messiah. Both of these names literally mean, Anointed and they bear reference to His divinity and to His authority, as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Luke 1:32-33). While He lived on Earth, He frequently called Himself the Son of God. This term was an affirmation of His divinity. “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Also, He frequently called Himself the Son of Man. This term was an affirmation of His humanity. “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16).

Most of the time, the New Testament simply calls Him the Lord, which can be problematic, since God, the Father is also called “the Lord” in Scripture. It was a term of respect, which was used by His own disciples (Acts 1:6). Also, they called Him Master and Rabbi or Teacher (John 13:13; John 3:2). To His apostles, Jesus was their Lord and Master, but He was not unapproachable. They could come to Him with any question and they could count on Him to respond with wise counsel. Our relationship with Jesus ought to be the same. His word still speaks to us today (John 12:48).

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” – Philippians 2:10