Who Is This Jesus? Lesson 3

Names and titles associated with Jesus

Each name and title tell us something of the divinity or humanity of Jesus. Some of these names and titles are used as figures of speech; metaphors, symbols and similes.

• Lion of the tribe of Judah
  The "Lion" symbolizes strength, majesty, and kingship. This title is rooted in Genesis, where Jacob blesses his son Judah, prophesying that the scepter, rulership and kingship will not depart from him. This establishes a messianic expectation that the Messiah would come from Judah's lineage. The tribe of Judah gave Israel kings. Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah.
• Revelation 5:5
  Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
• Genesis 49:9-10
  You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
• Hebrews 7:14
  For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Lamb of God

• This title, "Lamb of God," is rich with Old Testament symbolism and sacrificial imagery. It alludes to the Passover lamb and the daily sacrifices in the temple. The lamb represents innocence, sacrifice, and atonement, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. When John the Baptist saw him, he said, “The lamb of God.
• John 1:29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
• Revelation 5:6
  Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Emmanuel

• The name "Immanuel" means "God is with us," signifying the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. This name reflects the profound truth that God has come to dwell among His people.
• Matthew 1:23
  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
• John 1:14
  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
  

The Word

• The term "Word" (Logos in Greek) is rich in meaning. In Jewish thought, the Word of God is associated with creation, revelation and salvation. The Word is not merely a spoken word but a person, as later verses reveal, who is active in the world. This declaration affirms the full divinity of the Word. It is a clear statement of the Word's divine nature, asserting that the Word is not a lesser deity or a created being but fully God. Jesus is the word and he is God.
• John 1:1
  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• Hebrews 1:3
  The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
• John 1:14
  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Colossians 2:9
  For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

King

• Jesus confirmed that he was born to be king. His response to Pilate is both an affirmation and a subtle redirection. He acknowledges Pilate's words but implies that His kingship is not of this world. This statement aligns with the spiritual nature of His kingdom, which is not based on earthly power or political structures. It also fulfills prophecies, which speaks of a humble king. He entered in the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Jesus is now king. His kingdom is spiritual not physical
• John 18:36-37
  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this because I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Jesus was a humble king

• The week of his death, he entered in Jerusalem with great humility. The king was riding on a donkey, a lowly animal. He did not come riding in a chariot or on a horse.
• Zechariah 9:9
  Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
• Matthew 21:9
  The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
• John 12:13
  They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

High Priest

• The High Priest was the chief, the highest ranked and the leader of the priests. Aaron was the first High Priest in Israel. The High Priest came from the tribe of Levi. That system of priesthood that served God was called the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah. He was not qualified to be a priest. God had to change the law and the Levitical Priesthood to allow Jesus to be a High Priest. Jesus is a High Priest in a different Priesthood. Jesus is now serving as a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 5:7-10
  During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
• Hebrews 7:11-14
  If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
• Hebrews 3:1
  Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus

Christ

• The term "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." This title signifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Savior and King. In Jewish expectation, the Messiah was anticipated to be a political and spiritual leader who would deliver Israel. Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Christ indicates a profound understanding that Jesus is the promised deliverer and savior. He came not to physically deliver the nation of Israe from the Romans, but people from sin. Most people do not know or understand that Christ is not the surname or second name for Jesus. We say Jesus Christ. Christ means Messiah.
• Matthew 16:16
• Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
• Acts 17:2-3
• Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
• John 4:25-26
• The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you I am he.”

Son of Living God

• This phrase "Son of God" implies a unique and intimate relationship with God the Father, affirming Jesus' divinity. The use of "living God" contrasts the God of Israel with the lifeless idols of surrounding nations. This declaration connects to other scriptural affirmations of Jesus' divine sonship. This is central to Christian doctrine regarding the Trinity and the nature of Christ.
• Matthew 16:16
  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Son of Mary and Joseph

• Mary and Joseph recognized Jesus as their son. In the same context Jesus called God his father. Why were the parents confused?
• Luke 2:48-50
  When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
• Matthew 13:53-56
  When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Jesus

• The name "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Yeshua" or "Joshua," meaning "The Lord is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." Thus, the word means saviour. This name was divinely appointed, where the angel Gabriel instructs Mary to name her child Jesus. The name signifies His mission to bring salvation to humanity, aligning with the Old Testament theme of God as the deliverer of His people. Jesus means saviour.
• 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.”
• Luke 1:30-31
  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

Messiah

• The term "Messiah" is derived from the Hebrew word "Mashiach," meaning "anointed one." This reflects the woman's understanding of Jewish and Samaritan expectations of a coming deliverer. Despite the religious differences, both groups anticipated a figure who would bring salvation and restoration.
• John 4:25-26
  The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you I am he.”

Son of David

• "Hosanna" is a Hebrew expression meaning "save now" or "save, we pray." It is both a plea for salvation and an exclamation of praise. The title "Son of David" acknowledges Jesus as the promised Messiah, a descendant of King David, fulfilling the covenant God made with David. Thus, Jesus is a king from the family of David. Jesus was not the biological son of David. He came from the family tree of David.
• Matthew 21:9
  The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”
• 2 Samuel 7:12-16
  When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”
• Matthew 1:1
  This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham
• Luke 1:30-32
  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David
• Acts 2:29-35
  “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “’The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

Son of Man

• The term "Son of Man" is a messianic title, emphasizing Jesus' authority and divine nature. The Son of Man is more than he was born of man, Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem, but he was God among men. He was the Immanuel. Refers to Jesus taking fleshly qualities and living as God among men on earth. This title is used both in the Old and New Testament.
• Matthew 24:30
  “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
• Daniel 7:13-14
  “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
• Matthew 8:20
  Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
• Mark 2:10
  But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So, he said to the man
• Mark 8:31
  He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
• Philippians 2:5-7
  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.