Names and Titles of Christ

When Jesus declared 'Before Abraham was, I AM,' He claimed the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. The Jews understood this claim to deity—they took up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus uses 'I AM' statements that echo Yahweh's self-revelation: I am the bread of life, the light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, the true vine. Each 'I AM' reveals Christ's sufficiency for every human need.

The title 'Lord' (Kurios) is used throughout the New Testament for Jesus. In the Septuagint, Kurios translates Yahweh—applying this title to Jesus affirms His deity. Thomas confessed the risen Christ as 'My Lord and my God.' Paul declares that every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. To call Jesus 'Lord' is to acknowledge His absolute authority, His deity, and His right to rule every area of life. Jesus asked, 'Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?'

Jesus is the Son of God in a unique sense—the only begotten of the Father. While believers become children of God by adoption, Jesus is Son by nature, eternally begotten. He is in the bosom of the Father, the exact representation of His being. The Father declared at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration, 'This is my beloved Son.' Jesus' Sonship means He shares the Father's divine nature. To deny the Son is to deny the Father; to honor the Son is to honor the Father.

Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean 'Anointed One.' In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed for service. Jesus is the ultimate Anointed One—anointed by the Spirit without measure to fulfill all three offices. Peter's confession—'Thou art the Christ'—acknowledged Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah promised throughout Scripture. The title 'Jesus Christ' combines His personal name (Savior) with His office (Anointed King). He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus' favorite self-designation was 'Son of Man'—used over eighty times in the Gospels. The title emphasizes His true humanity while echoing Daniel's vision of one 'like the Son of Man' who receives everlasting dominion. The Son of Man has authority to forgive sins, is Lord of the Sabbath, came to seek and save the lost, and will come again in glory. This title captures both Christ's humble identification with humanity and His exalted position as the heavenly ruler.

Jesus is the Son of David—the rightful heir to David's throne, fulfilling God's promise of an eternal kingdom. Matthew opens his Gospel establishing Jesus as 'the son of David.' The crowds hailed Him as Son of David when He entered Jerusalem. The blind called out for mercy from the Son of David. Yet Jesus posed the puzzle: if David calls Him Lord, how is He merely his Son? The answer: Jesus is both David's descendant according to the flesh and David's Lord by His divine nature.

John the Baptist introduced Jesus as 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.' This title evokes the Passover lamb, the daily sacrifices, and Isaiah's suffering Servant led as a lamb to slaughter. Christ is our Passover, sacrificed for us. In Revelation, the Lamb who was slain is worthy to open the seals, and the redeemed praise Him who washed them in His blood. The Lamb on the throne receives the worship of all creation.

The name 'Jesus' means 'Yahweh saves' or 'Yahweh is salvation.' He was given this name because He would save His people from their sins. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. He is the Savior of the world, not just of Israel. He came to seek and save the lost. God sent not His Son to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. He is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God through Him.

There is one God and one Mediator between God and men—the man Christ Jesus. A mediator stands between two parties to reconcile them. Jesus bridges the infinite gap between holy God and sinful humanity. He is qualified to mediate because He is both God and man—able to represent both parties. He is the mediator of the new covenant, securing eternal redemption. Through Him we have access to the Father. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Jesus declared Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. The shepherd imagery runs throughout Scripture—the LORD is my shepherd. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, the Great Shepherd of the sheep brought back from death by the blood of the everlasting covenant. He knows His sheep and is known by them. He calls them by name and leads them out. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. He gives them eternal life, and they shall never perish.

The Pharisees used 'friend of sinners' as a slur against Jesus, but it became a title of glory. He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, scandalizing the religious elite. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, welcoming those whom others rejected. He called His disciples friends, not servants. Greater love has no man than this—that a man lay down his life for his friends. He befriended us while we were yet sinners.