I recently went into the hospital for an outpatient surgery procedure. I found it interesting how much effort went into insuring they had the right person. Initially I was asked for my picture ID along with answering personal questions like date of birth, address, etc. I was then led into the pre-op area where, while checking my stylish wristband, they again questioned me regarding my identity.
Once in the surgery room with all the staff and doctor in place they again asked me my name, DOB, and why I was there. Then they took a vote! Really. One nurse said, “Do we all agree that this is the person he says he is?” The last thing I remember was their unanimous confirmation. Understandably, it was important that they had the right person not just the right name.
Although they confirmed my name, they still knew nothing about me as a person. My name is simply a label that differentiates me from the other 7 billion people on planet earth. It functions like a relational social security number. Your name is also very important, but it doesn’t tell me anything about you. (I would know more about you if you told me your nickname!)
In contrast, names were more than just a label in the biblical culture. Names carried meaning that often described the person. Sometimes they were prophetic regarding a future role or at other times, they might simply describe a person’s character. For example, in the New Testament the disciple we know as Peter (rock) was originally called Cephas (stone). Jesus gave him a new name that described Peter’s future role as a spiritual leader.
The second person of the Trinity has many names and each one forms a significant portrait of who he is. The over-arching name is the Son of God which emphasizes his divinity and his eternal relationship within the Trinity. We could say the name Son of God is like the clothes line on which all the other names hang. Each of those names is critically important for our faith because it reveals something about the Son of God. Each one gives a clearer understanding of who he is making it possible to know him and grow in our discipleship on the resurrection side of the cross.
For example, on the resurrection side of the cross the Son of God is referred to as the Lord Jesus Christ which contributes three portraits describing who he is. The name Lord implies his authority. The name Jesus or Jesus of Nazareth is the portrait of the incarnated Son of God living among men. The focus is on his humanity. Those names are generally understood.
The name Christ, however, is often misunderstood as it is used as though it was his last name rather than a unique portrait of who the Son of God is. The name Christ is the Greek equivalent to the Jewish word Messiah and puts the focus on his being the anointed One.
Currently the name Christ is probably the most common description given to the Son of God with Jesus being a close second. However, each of those names gives us only a single portrait of the real person behind the name. In order to avoid misunderstanding and subsequent error, we must keep the composite of all the portraits in mind.
Jesus said, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full” (John 16:24). Jesus wasn’t referring to his name as a label but to his total person. He wanted them to pray on the basis of his character, authority, and power, keeping in mind all that entails.
The names for the Son of God are portraits of who he is – not labels. They are a critical way for us to know Christ. They deepen our understanding and help develop our faith and trust in him. We will discuss more names of the Son of God in future blogs as we continue to develop a multi-dimensional, composite portrait. For the purpose of this blog, however, I will use the name Christ as the general name for the Son of God on this side of the resurrection.
Question for reflection:
What portraits are formed in your mind when you think about the names of Christ given in Isaiah 9:6? In what way do those portraits affect your journey of knowing Christ?
“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”