DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT'S IN A NAME?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHAT'S IN A NAME?

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)

There is great significance in this verse. This is the first time in the Sacred Scriptures that the three names and titles of the Savior are used together.

The earthly name, Jesus, was given to Him by the angel when it was announced that Mary would bear a child and would call His name, Jesus – Savior, for "He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31).

The Title of Christ or Messiah was acknowledged by Peter when he said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).

The designation, Lord, was claimed by Jesus when He quoted Psalm 110:1 – "The LORD said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." This was a clear connection of Jesus with the Old Testament name for God -- Yahweh Adonai or Lord.

This combination of names and titles was the favorite way that the Apostles referred to Jesus – "The Lord Jesus Christ" or "Jesus Christ our Lord." They used this way or similar ways of referring to Jesus some 188 times in the New Testament. And it still is true today. Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is Jesus – the Savior. He came to this earth to die for our sins, and took our punishment for sins so that we might live forever with Him.

He is Lord. A common greeting of early Christians was, "Jesus is Lord." Salvation comes to us as we confess that Jesus is Lord. He is Lord of all and someday, every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

And He is our Messiah, our Redeemer, our Deliverer.

What a beautiful name it is. What a wonderful name it is. What a powerful name it is – the name of Jesus. He is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is MY Lord.

Love, Dad