Understanding the Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

 

Summary

In our exploration of Christology, we delve into the profound significance of the names and titles of Jesus Christ. Understanding these titles is crucial as they reveal the multifaceted nature of our Lord and Savior. We began by examining the name "Jesus," which is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." This name underscores the primary role of Jesus as our Savior, who delivers us from sin, death, and the wrath of God.

Next, we explored the title "Christ," which means "anointed one." This title signifies Jesus as the Messiah, set apart as prophet, priest, and king. As the anointed one, Jesus reveals God, redeems His people, and reigns over them. He is the living Word, the ultimate sacrifice, and our advocate before God. The Jews of the first century struggled with the concept of a Messiah who was also a servant, yet this is central to Jesus' mission.

The title "Lord" is another significant designation, emphasizing Jesus' divine sovereignty. It is used over 500 times in the New Testament, often in reference to His majesty and authority. Jesus is the Lord of all creation, and His name is exalted above every other name.

"Son of Man" is a title Jesus frequently used for Himself, highlighting His divine rule and authority. This title, rooted in Daniel 7, portrays Jesus as the enthroned king and judge of the universe. It emphasizes His role as the ultimate authority to whom all must give account.

Finally, "Son of God" affirms Jesus' eternal equality, glory, and love with the Father. This title reflects the Trinitarian relationship and the divine nature of Jesus. He is the only begotten Son, existing from eternity, and through Him, we understand the nature of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The name "Jesus" signifies "Yahweh is salvation," highlighting His role as our Savior who delivers us from sin, death, and God's wrath. This foundational understanding of Jesus' name reminds us of the depth of His saving work and the assurance of our salvation. [02:29]

- The title "Christ" means "anointed one," emphasizing Jesus' roles as prophet, priest, and king. As the anointed one, He reveals God, redeems His people, and reigns over them, serving both God and humanity. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus as the ultimate servant-leader. [06:05]

- "Lord" is a title that underscores Jesus' divine sovereignty and majesty. It is used extensively in the New Testament, affirming His authority over all creation. Recognizing Jesus as Lord calls us to submit to His rule and acknowledge His preeminence in our lives. [10:36]

- "Son of Man" is a title that emphasizes Jesus' divine rule and authority, rooted in Daniel 7. It portrays Him as the enthroned king and judge of the universe. This title assures us of Jesus' ultimate authority and the certainty of His judgment. [15:11]

- "Son of God" affirms Jesus' eternal equality, glory, and love with the Father. It reflects the Trinitarian relationship and the divine nature of Jesus. Through this title, we understand the nature of God and the depth of His love for us. [22:11]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:29] - Jesus: Yahweh is Salvation
[06:05] - Christ: The Anointed One
[10:36] - Lord: Divine Sovereignty
[15:11] - Son of Man: Divine Authority
[18:31] - Son of God: Eternal Equality
[22:11] - Jesus as the Revealer of God
[25:47] - Jesus Directly Called God
[28:29] - The Logos: Word Made Flesh
[31:05] - Understanding the Trinity
[33:43] - Meditating on Christ's Titles
[38:05] - Christ: Friend of Sinners
[42:17] - The Divine "I Am"
[46:23] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 1:21 - "And she will bring forth a son, and you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
2. Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore, God has also highly exalted him, and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
3. Daniel 7:13-14 - "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him."

Observation Questions:
1. What does the name "Jesus" mean, and why is it significant in the context of salvation? [02:29]
2. How is the title "Christ" different from a name, and what roles does it signify for Jesus? [06:05]
3. In what ways is the title "Lord" used in the New Testament to emphasize Jesus' authority? [10:36]
4. How does the title "Son of Man" reflect Jesus' divine authority and role as judge? [15:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding the meaning of Jesus' name enhance our appreciation of His role as Savior? [02:29]
2. What implications does Jesus' title as "Christ" have for our understanding of His mission and ministry? [06:05]
3. In what ways does recognizing Jesus as "Lord" challenge our daily lives and decisions? [10:36]
4. How does the title "Son of God" affirm Jesus' relationship with the Father and His divine nature? [22:11]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the meaning of the name "Jesus" as "Yahweh is salvation." How does this understanding impact your personal view of salvation and your relationship with God? [02:29]
2. Considering Jesus as the "Christ," the anointed one, how can you emulate His servant-leadership in your community or workplace? [06:05]
3. What areas of your life might you need to submit more fully to Jesus' lordship, recognizing His authority over all creation? [10:36]
4. How does the assurance of Jesus' ultimate authority as the "Son of Man" influence your perspective on justice and accountability in the world? [15:11]
5. In what ways can you deepen your understanding of the Trinitarian relationship by reflecting on Jesus as the "Son of God"? [22:11]
6. How can you incorporate the titles and roles of Jesus into your daily prayer life to enhance your spiritual growth and connection with Him?
7. Identify one title of Jesus that resonates with you personally. How can you use this title to inspire and guide your actions and decisions this week?

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus: Yahweh is Salvation
Understanding Jesus as the embodiment of salvation is foundational to the Christian faith. The name "Jesus" is derived from the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua," which means "Yahweh is salvation." This name encapsulates His primary role as our Savior, delivering us from sin, death, and the wrath of God. By recognizing Jesus as the one who saves, we are reminded of the depth of His saving work and the assurance of our salvation. This understanding calls us to trust in His power to redeem and transform our lives. [02:29]

Isaiah 12:2 (ESV): "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."

Reflection: Consider a specific area in your life where you need Jesus' saving power. How can you invite Him to bring salvation and transformation to that area today?


Day 2: Christ: The Anointed One
The title "Christ" signifies Jesus as the "anointed one," emphasizing His roles as prophet, priest, and king. As the anointed one, Jesus reveals God, redeems His people, and reigns over them, serving both God and humanity. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus as the ultimate servant-leader, who embodies the perfect balance of authority and humility. By embracing Jesus as the Christ, we are called to follow His example of servant leadership in our own lives. [06:05]

1 Samuel 2:35 (ESV): "And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever."

Reflection: Reflect on how you can embody servant leadership in your daily interactions. What is one specific way you can serve others with humility and love today?


Day 3: Lord: Divine Sovereignty
The title "Lord" underscores Jesus' divine sovereignty and majesty. Used extensively in the New Testament, it affirms His authority over all creation. Recognizing Jesus as Lord calls us to submit to His rule and acknowledge His preeminence in our lives. This submission is not just a one-time decision but a daily choice to align our lives with His will and purpose. By acknowledging Jesus as Lord, we are invited to experience the fullness of life under His loving and wise authority. [10:36]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you struggle to submit to Jesus' authority. What steps can you take today to surrender this area to His lordship?


Day 4: Son of Man: Divine Authority
"Son of Man" is a title that emphasizes Jesus' divine rule and authority, rooted in Daniel 7. It portrays Him as the enthroned king and judge of the universe. This title assures us of Jesus' ultimate authority and the certainty of His judgment. By understanding Jesus as the Son of Man, we are reminded of His role as the righteous judge to whom all must give account. This awareness calls us to live with integrity and accountability, knowing that our lives are ultimately in His hands. [15:11]

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV): "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."

Reflection: How does the knowledge of Jesus as the ultimate judge influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to live more in line with His righteous standards?


Day 5: Son of God: Eternal Equality
The title "Son of God" affirms Jesus' eternal equality, glory, and love with the Father. It reflects the Trinitarian relationship and the divine nature of Jesus. Through this title, we understand the nature of God and the depth of His love for us. By recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, we are invited into a deeper relationship with the Triune God, experiencing His love, grace, and truth in our lives. This understanding calls us to live in the light of His love and to share it with others. [22:11]

John 1:14 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Reflect on how you can deepen your relationship with the Triune God. What is one practical step you can take today to experience and share His love more fully?

Quotes


Jesus means Yahweh is salvation. That's the third blank, salvation. Either Yahweh saves or Yahweh is salvation. Let me reread that. Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua. Jesus means Yahweh is salvation. The name Jesus is a very common name among Judaism in the first century. It was just as common as, say, Mike or Bill or David or something like that today. John. Very common name. But it was a name, again, that highlighted that Yahweh was the Savior. Salvation would come from none other than from the hand of Yahweh. [00:00:53] (44 seconds)


And you will call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. We often talk about the name of Jesus. And when we talk about the name of Jesus, first and foremost in our thoughts should be that Jesus is Savior. Because that's what his name means. The application for number one is very simply, what does Jesus save his people from? That's the first blank. Save his people from. If he's our Savior, what does he save us from? From sin, right? What else? [00:01:12] (37 seconds)


Christ is a title that refers to Jesus as the Messiah. That's the second blank, Messiah. We often think of Christ as the second name of Jesus, or his last name, Jesus Christ. But it's not really a name. It's a title, Jesus the Christ, you could even say. Christ means anointed one. That's the third blank, anointed one. In Old Testament times, God would anoint his chosen servants, whether they be a king, or a prophet, or a priest, to mark them with favor, to mark them with purpose, that this person is set apart in the service of God. [00:02:56] (44 seconds)


He's the one that intercedes for us on our behalf. He is our advocate. That's what he means by him being our priest. Not only does he make sacrifice, but he makes prayers for the people of God. And in all these things, Christ is a servant. He's a servant to God and a servant to man. The Jews of the first century had a hard time understanding this. They viewed the Messiah as being a king, which that's part of it, right? That's part of being the anointed one. [00:05:08] (29 seconds)


Lord is the second most common title of Jesus. So the first blank is Lord. Lord is used in the New Testament, the Greek word kurios, almost as much as Messiah is used. It's used over 500 times in the New Testament, but it's not always directly speaking of Jesus. It is in a roundabout way. In other words, a lot of times in the New Testament, it quotes from the Old Testament. It quotes the name of Yahweh, which Yahweh is usually referred or translated as Lord in the Old Testament. [00:08:27] (38 seconds)


So Lord is the second most common title of Jesus, although it can be used as an address of respect or in reference to a master of slaves. It is mostly used of Jesus as an imperial term, emphasizing the divine sovereignty over all men and all things. Can you think of maybe a Christian hymn or a Christian chorus that has Lord in it? He is Lord. He is Lord. He is Lord. He is risen from the dead. And he is Lord. Amen. Yeah. [00:10:36] (33 seconds)


And so that particular term, son of man, when you see Christ use it, remember what it's talking about. It's talking about the one who rules over every square inch of this universe, the one who is the judge of all men, the living and the dead, the one whom we must all stand before one day and all men must give account. He's the one who dashes those against him with his rod. He's the one who laughs at those who would try to dispose him as king and try to throw off his reign. [00:17:16] (39 seconds)


The Son of God refers to Jesus as the only begotten Son, the second person of the triune God. This title emphasizes his eternal equality, glory, and love with the Father. Christ has always existed. Before he became incarnate, Jesus was the second person of the Trinity, existing from before the world was created. All things were created by him and for him, and in him all things exist, right? But before creation, he had the triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. [00:19:16] (39 seconds)


He shows us his nature. It shows us his nature. It shows us everything, right? Can we see God? No. Apart from Christ, we would know nothing about God. Christ is the one revealer of God in both nature, what we call general revelation, and in special revelation. Right? Christ is the one who's the divine logos, the divine reason that explains God to humanity, right? And when you look at his life, you look at his love, you look at his faithfulness, you look at his mercy, you look at his holiness, are that not reflections of God the Father? [00:22:10] (41 seconds)


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Transcript
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