The Name of ‘Jesus’
Overview:
We all recognise our names, and those that we closely associate with, be they peers, family members, colleagues, or fellow congregation members. Names place us within a particular lineage, they give us a history - a relevant past, which often is reflected in how we think, and behave. Names have specific meaning, and parents give their children names that either directly reflect the names meaning (for instance: Raymond means protector and wise council), or they reflect meaning because of family history, or because a parent liked that name from a book/movie character or sportsperson. Jesus’ name is no different. It has history, it has direct meaning within its Hebrew origins, as well as its Greek transliterated version – and it was given to him by his earthly parents on instruction from the heavenly places. It also spoke of his ministry and purpose, echoing his divine nature and authority.
So, what is his name? And which one do we, as Christians, use?
Hebrew:
His Hebrew name is Yeshua (Yeh-SHOO-ah), which is a shortened form of Yehoshua (Ye-Ho-shoo-ah) – in English this name is commonly known as – Joshua. The specific meaning of this name is – “The Lord is Salvation”. Around those he grew up with he may have even been known as Yeshua Ben (or Bar) Yosef – Yeshua the son of Yosef(Joseph).
Greek:
His name in the Greek language is – Iesous – which is not a direct translation, but rather a transliteration. It is from the Greek that we get the name ‘Jesus’ from.
Matthew 1:1-25 – explores the human genealogy of Jesus, and gives us a glimpse of his ministry in that Gentiles, sinners and Hebrews are all included in it. It includes the instruction by the angels to call Him, Jesus, and Matthew notes that it is the lineage of Jesus Christ. His name ‘Immanuel’ – ‘God with Us’ – also illustrates the physical presence of God in this world in the person of Jesus.
Titles:
However, we know from the scriptures that the designation ‘Jesus Christ’ is also often used, particularly in Paul’s writings. We still use that phrase to this day. The term ‘Christ’ stems from the Greek word ‘christos’ – meaning the ‘Annointed One’. So, in the Greek language his name also includes a role, a point of authority. This is also seen in his Jewish designation as ‘the Messiah’ – ‘Ha’Masciach’ in Hebrew – this means ‘the one anointed with oil’. In ancient Hebrew culture and religious observance, kings and important officials, priests and the like were anointed with oil, as it represented being called out of the population to be a special leader of the people. Typically, the titles that were used for Jesus, were placed on Him by others. The most common of those was ‘Rabbi’, denoting a teacher of God’s word within local synagogues. Many people in the Jewish population of Judea, including members of the Pharisees and Sadducees, saw Jesus as a real teacher of God’s word and law.
Additionally, Jesus was also known as ‘Jesus from Nazareth’ or ‘Jesus from Galilee’. This was a common method of designating people at the time of Jesus’ ministry.
Mark 1:24 – this event early in Jesus’ ministry, where he was casting out a demon. Even the demon recognised not only Jesus’ divine authority, but also where he had come from – namely from Nazareth.
In the scriptures we hear of Mary Magdalene – Magdalene was not her family name, rather it denoted that she came from the town of, or region around Magdala. The same for Judas Iscariot – Iscariot is not his family name – it denotes that he was from the town of, or region around Kerioth.
There were times when he referred to himself with specific titles, or designations – one of these is when he referred to himself as the ‘Son of Man’, which is noted many times in the book of Matthew.
A person’s name, and/or title provides us with information about that person. It tells us their role in society, it informs us of where they may have lived or been born (which in turn informs us of cultural connotations), it informs us of familial lineages, and it highlights people’s perceptions of them. It was no different with Jesus.
As we have seen, there is nothing coincidental, or random about the names and designations of Jesus. All point towards his divine mission – to be the salvation of the world, and to each of us individually. His name provides a connection to the acts and consistency of God’s mercy and grace throughout human history, and in particular through the history of the Hebrew people. It fulfils Old Testament prophesies. It provides insight into the power and authority he carries from his Heavenly Father, which enabled Him to do wondrous miracles, and to fulfil his divine mission. Furthermore, it provides us with the name by which we can worship the sovereignty of our Lord.
We still need to abide by the 3rd Commandment of Exodus 20:7 – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” – this is not limited to using God’s name as a curse word. The Hebrew phrase for ‘in vain is “lashav” – it refers to using God’s name in the following ways:
A) a way that is an ‘ineffective offering’.
B) to use God’s name for ‘no good purpose’.
C) to use it in a way that empties it of all worth, in effect to make it ‘worthless’.
When we use the name of Jesus, we should do so with the reverence, and passion it deserves – why? Because it is the name of our saviour, it is one of the names of the Godhead, and because we should “Love your God with all your heart, mind and soul”…
Philippians 2:9-11 - Therefore God also has 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.
This scripture in Philippians clearly links the name of our Heavenly Father, with that of Jesus, and that the Father has given all authority to His name – whereby all people’s and spiritual beings will bow down and worship it one day.
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