What’s in a Name?

We have reviewed Old Testament passages about Jesus appearing to Adam and Eve, Cain, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and the parents of Samson. All of these examples prove that Jesus was revealed to humanity long before he was incarnate. 

Although he was not yet known by the name Jesus, our Lord was known by many other names:

• the LORD / Yahweh

• the LORD God

• Yahweh God

• the Angel / Messenger of the LORD / Yahweh

• God

• the man

• Commander of the Army of the LORD / Yahweh

• I Am

• the Lord

The Old Testament passages we have studied reveal that Jesus was Lord all throughout Old Testament times—don’t they? In fact, they demonstrate that Jesus was more than Lord. Someone with as many titles as he had was much more than Lord.

But not even titles suffice to prove the greatness of the Word who was with the One God and who was God—the one who is the image of the invisible God.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all Creation (Colossians 1:15).

… in him [Christ] all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9; NASB).

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9).

Beyond a Name

Consider this: Jesus was so magnificent that he was beyond names. Remember what he said to Manoah, Samson’s father:

Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding (Judges 13:18).

That is, our Lord was (and still is) beyond human comprehension. Jesus’ glory is so great that no one name could ever sum up what he is. That’s why he challenged Jacob with the same question he gave to Manoah:

Why do you ask my name? (Genesis 32:29)

Do you get the point? Jesus could easily say the same thing to you and me today: “Do you really think that you can fathom my identity?” A name is an identity. A name is someone's fame, their reputation.

Jesus’ identity is so vast, deep, and wide that no person should presume to understand it.

Name Above All Names

Ask yourself: Do you fathom how great the name of Jesus is? We’re dealing with the only name given unto men by which we can be saved, the name above all names.

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9).

... there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Reading about Jesus in the Bible is just scratching the surface. The information we obtain in the Scriptures is a mere drop in the bucket. When you see him, when you behold his glory, and when you see him exercise his kingship over mankind--then you'll understand how wonderful Jesus is.

Jesus’ name will be greater still. His name is great now, but it will be greater. During the Millennial Kingdom, Jesus will have even more names:

… he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end… The zeal of the LORD Almighty [that’s the One God] will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Who can understand someone as great as Jesus? God. The God whose zeal will accomplish this. The God who exalted Jesus to the highest place and who gave him the name above all names--he knows everything about Jesus.

Yes, only the God who made Jesus so great comprehends Jesus’ greatness! It is God who has accomplished great things through Jesus, and it's God who will continue to fulfill his will through Jesus.

Because of that, only God really knows Jesus. Now you know what Jesus meant when he declared:

… no one knows the Son except the Father (Matthew 11:27).