We all bear names and titles based on relationships and roles in life. My birth name is Steven. I am a son, brother, nephew, cousin, husband, father, uncle, pastor, and president and chairman of the board (wow, that just sounds too important). I have been called coach, Mr., Sir, Hey You, Buddy, friend, and some other nick names I won’t mention. As the second oldest of eleven children, my youngest brother (16 year difference between us) finally stopped calling me “sir.” I realized that I was an older guy who visited his home (as I was on my own by the time he was growing up). We use names and titles to express relationships and roles.
Think about the names and titles applied to Jesus:
Advocate (1 John 2:1) Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) Amen (Rev. 3:14) Apostle (Heb. 3:1) Atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2) Author of Life (Acts 3:15) Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10) Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13) Bread of God (John 6:33) Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48) Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15) Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7) Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20) Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) Christ (1 John 2:22) Deliverer (Rom. 11:26) Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20) Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6) Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11) Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5) Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 3:14) First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13) Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5) Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15) Gate (John 10:9) God (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5) Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) Great God (Titus 2:13) Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14) Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23) Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2) High Priest (Heb. 2:17; 3:1) Holy and True (Rev. 3:7) Holy One (Acts 3:14) Hope (1 Tim. 1:1) Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27) Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69) I Am (John 8:58) Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4) Immanuel (Mt. 1:23) Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) King of Israel (John 1:49) King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11) King of kings (Rev. 19:16) King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3) Lamb (Rev. 13:8) Lamb of God (John 1:29) Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19) Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45) Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4) Light of the World (John 8:12) Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5) Living One (Rev. 1:18) Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4) Lord (2 Pet. 2:20) Lord of All (Acts 10:36) Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8) Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48) Mediator of a New Covenant (Heb. 9:15) Mighty God (Isa. 9:6) Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16) Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9) Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13) Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2) Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3) Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30) Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7) Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6) Prince of peace (Isa. 9:6) Prophet (Acts 3:22) Rabbi (Mt. 26:25) Resurrection and Life (John 11:25) Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5) Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1) Rock (1 Cor. 10:4) Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16) Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14) Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5) Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20) Son of David (Luke 18:39) Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14) Son of Man (Mt. 8:20) Son of the Most High God (Luke 1:32) Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9) The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11) True Bread (John 6:32) True Light (John 1:9) True Vine (John 15:1) Truth (John 1:14; 14:6) Way (John 14:6) Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24) Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) Word (John 1:1) Word of God (Rev. 19:13)
Why do we need so many titles to explain Jesus? The New Testament uses more than 100 titles for Him. Perhaps we need them because in Jesus are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Or, because in Jesus resides “all the fullness of Deity in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9; cf. Ephesians 3:18-19).
A challenge:
Choose one name each day and the Scripture with it. Mediate and pray about the meaning of the name/title as a means to worship Christ and to get to know Him better. Think about the relationship and roles implied in each title. This might require some additional study. For example, the first name is “Advocate.” What does this mean? Use different translations and a good Bible dictionary to discover the range of meaning and application. Try to find other Scriptures that use the name or relate to the meaning of it. Finally, make thoughtful applications and share them with others!
“We have come to worship him”
(Matthew 2:2)
Suggested Plan:
Name/title Meaning Other Scriptures Relationship/Roles Applications
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