Artwork by Taylor White
Did you know that some scholars have located over 700 different titles and names in the Bible for God's one and only Son?
Of course these names weren’t all recorded on Jesus’ official birth certificate. His childhood friends didn’t ask if the “Prince of Peace” could come out to play. His siblings didn’t call Him “Faithful and True”. And I’m confident His coworkers never yelled, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” when trying to get His attention or saw that title written on His business card. So, what’s with all the names and titles?
As you might imagine, names were very important in ancient times, often reflecting the hopes and dreams of one’s parents. They often referred to the purpose, character, and descriptive characteristics of the person named. When it comes to the hundreds of names and titles given to God's Son, they each describe some aspect of Who He is and what He does. It’s as if one name just couldn’t capture the magnitude of His magnificent character and ways.
When I think of the names of God’s Son, I definitely have some favorites, but there are two that are most precious to me.
EMMANUEL/IMMANUEL
Maybe it’s because I’ve been listening to Christmas music for a month and keep hearing the name “Emmanuel” sung, but I can’t quit pondering the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew’s explanation regarding it in Matthew 1:23,
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”
Even now, as I type that verse, tears are falling from my eyes. I mean seriously, let that explanation sink in...God. With. Us. I cannot get over it, nor do I want to. Ever. Those words have to be the most beautiful ever spoken.
Think about it. God, the All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Great I Am left His paradise to come to Earth and have someone else change His diapers. Inconceivable!!! He, who is called Wonderful Counselor, allowed others to teach Him to walk and talk and spell His given name. He chose to leave angels who constantly worshipped at His feet to be harassed, abused, misunderstood, slandered, whipped, stripped, mocked, beaten beyond recognition and ultimately sacrificed by a sin-stained people who had no inkling of His magnificence. Why?
To be with us.
“Emmanuel” isn’t the name that people actually called God’s Son, but it describes His very nature. He physically came to earth and His presence indwells His followers now. Oh yes, O come, O come, Emmanuel and help us to relish Your presence.
JESUS
It was an angel who appeared separately to Mary and Joseph, instructing them to give their Son the name He is most often referred to in the Bible—Jesus. He is called this name in every single book of the New Testament except for the solitary chapter of 3 Peter. The angel offered a bit of explanation for this chosen name in Matthew 1:21,
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21
“Jesus” was a common name that literally means Jehovah is salvation. On the surface, these facts seem contradictory, but I can’t help but think that this name best captures the beautifully divergent part of Jesus’ nature. Yes, He was common in the fact that He was a mortal man who wore flesh and bones like so many others, but He was and is and forever will also be the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being. Mortal man AND THE supernatural God. Jesus is our one and only true salvation, whose purpose in coming to Earth was to save us from ourselves and to sacrificially offer Himself to reconcile us so we could experience true fellowship with Him.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. - 2 Corinthians 5:21
How precious is that? To borrow a line and title from one of my favorite hymns, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know. Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.”
Emmanuel and Jesus, these names are dear to me. However, I don’t think what we call God’s Son is nearly as important to Him as it is that we actually call on Him.
So let’s celebrate His constant presence and fully embrace the forgiveness that is ours to have because of Him. Calling on Jesus, that is how we can celebrate Christmas everyday.
Meet the Author!
Bible teacher, author, inspirational speaker and disciple-maker, Vickey Banks is passionate about helping women connect the dots between God’s Word and their everyday lives. She loves serving as Women’s Ministry Director at Council Road, celebrating her people, playing with her puppy and getting lost in a good story.