On Sunday we heard about Jesus, who is Christ the King.
The hymn says, “In the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him, King of glory now.”
Jesus is the name he was given when he was born. He was known then as Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Mary.
But as he grew up and travelled about the countryside; teaching and healing; as he explained more about God’s Kingdom and the message he was bringing to everyone, his name grew too. He gathered many ‘names’; some he spoke of himself and others were given to him by those around him.
Later, after his death and resurrection when his disciples really began to understand what they had heard and seen, what they had born witness to and, through the centuries since, as the New Testament was written, hymns composed and sung, his teaching and life taught through preaching, there are now many more names given to him.
Each of them give us more and more understanding of his life, his work and a deeper appreciation of how this affects us.
Here are some of his names.
What do they mean to you in your life and situation?
Do you know any more that have a deep meaning for you?
The Word of God
I am the Bread of Life
I am the True Vine
I am the Good Shepherd
The Lamb of God
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life
Prince of Peace
The Christ
Saviour
Messiah
And at this time of year as winter sets in and we approach the Church season of Advent, of waiting for Christ to be born, these two have a special resonance:-
A Light in the Darkness
Emmanuel (God with us)
