I’m amazed with all the names/titles of Jesus. In the first few sentences introducing Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, he was called by three names in the same sentence. Check out Luke chapter 2.
Luke 2:8-12
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
When you think of Jesus, which name comes to your mind first? Savior, Christ, Lord? Or is he just plain vanilla Jesus? Perhaps his name/title doesn’t even matter? Let’s take a look at the three names.
SAVIOR (Greek: Soter, Strong’s #4990)
When you think of the word “Saved” or “Savior”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? What are we saved from? I think the meaning of this word has been gradually lost over the years. It’s almost like today’s gospel message is that God will save you from hurts and sorrows of everyday life. Let’s looks for a few references to the word Savior:
Acts 5:30-31
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead – whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
In Acts 5, we see that our Savior, Jesus, gives repentance and forgiveness for our sins. We deserve death because of our sin and the Savior delivers us from death.
Titus 2:13-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope?the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
In Titus 2, we again see that we are saved from our wickedness. Jesus, our Savior, purifies us so that we may be blameless before God.
Titus 3:5-7
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
In Titus 3, we learn that we are saved not by our own good works, but by his mercy and grace. We don’t deserve a Savior, God loves us so much that he gave his own life to justify us [make us righteous].
CHRIST (Greek: Christos, Strong’s #5547)
We probably don’t think about this name of Jesus all that much. It’s almost like the word just slips out of our mouth without even knowing what it really means. What does it mean to be Christ? The Greek word Christos means, “Anointed”.
Acts 10:37-38
You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and this Spirit is what gave Jesus his anointing and power. He was able to do all of those miracles with his anointing.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Not only was Jesus anointed, we’re anointed too! When we became baptized into the Holy Spirit, we received this same anointing of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we became one body in Christ, with Christ being the head of the Body (Colossians 1:18 & Ephesians 5:23).
LORD (Greek: Kurios, Strong’s 2962)
This one is probably the most understood of all the names of Jesus. This word literally means Supremacy/Power. Even though Jesus gave up many of his rights as Lord while on Earth, he was still deserving of reverence because he is the supreme Master.
1 Corinthians 8:5-6
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
There is ONE LORD through whom we live, and that is Jesus.
SUMMARY
A breakdown of Jesus’ names:
Savior – His mission on Earth.
Christ – His authority on Earth came through his anointing.
Lord – He is supreme over everything.
When you think of Jesus, which name do you appreciate most? Which name do you respect the most?
