Have you ever wondered about names and what they mean? In some cultures a name is very significant and tells a lot about a person. That is true with names in the Bible. ‘Abram’ (‘father of high places’) had his name changed to ‘Abraham’ (‘father of many nations’) when God that promised the Jewish nation would come from him. ‘Sari’ (‘contentions’) was changed to ‘Sarah’ (‘princess, sweet gentle’) when she let God change her. Names in the Bible are important because they reveal truths about the character of the person. This is true of God as well (Exodus 3:13) and explains why He has so many and varied names (Exodus 6:2-3).
Before Jesus was born, God chose His name to be ‘Jesus’ (Luke 1:29-33; Matthew 1:20-25). ‘Jesus’ was a common name because it was the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name ‘Joshua.’ Many parents wanted their son to grow up to be a courageous leader for God like Joshua so it was a common name. Like Joshua, Jesus led those who follow Him to victory. The word ‘Jesus/Joshua’ basically means “Jehovah saves” and speaks of Him as our deliverer. That’s why God chose that name for His son.
In addition to the Joshua who led the Jews into the land there was a high priest named ‘Jeshua’ which is another form of the same name (Ezra 3:1-9). He was a high priest following the Jews’ return from captivity in Babylon. The high priest carried the guilt for the people’s sins in a symbolic way, Jesus did it in a real way as our sin-bearer (Hebrews 4:14-16; 9:6-28).
The same name appears as ‘Hosea’ in English, which also means ‘Jehovah saves.’ Hosea is a perfect picture of God’s love for us in that his wife left him for others but, despite her unfaithfulness, He paid the price to buy her back and restore her as his wife (book of Hosea). That, too, is a picture of Jesus who redeemed us, who bought us back from our sin (Galatians 3:10-14).
Jesus is the most common and familiar name used of God in human form in the Old Testament. Of the more than 300 names and titles, it is the most common, used about 550 times. It is truly a very significant name because it is a saving name (John 20:31). There is no other name we can call upon for salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We can’t call upon Mohammed or Buddha to save us. We can’t call upon our good works to earn our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is only the name ‘Jesus’ that brings salvation.
The name ‘Jesus’ is a satisfying name (John 14:1-14). How many people in the last 2,000 years have called upon that name to help them in a time of sorrow? Also it is a strengthening name (Acts 3:6, 16). Strength for healing, for daily life, for whatever we face comes through Jesus. That’s because ‘Jesus’ is above all a supreme name (Philippians 2:9-10; Acts 16:18). Satan and demons must yield and submit to the name of Jesus.
Personally, I know it is a sweet name, the sweetest name ever (John 9:11). What thoughts and emotions come to you when you think of the name ‘Jesus’? How many times have you used that name in worship or prayer? It is sweet to all God’s people, that’s why there have been thousands of songs written about that name. ‘Jesus.’ There isn’t a better word in any language than ‘Jesus.’
When I taught pastors and church leaders in India about how to have victory over Satan and demons, they were sometimes confused by it all. Spiritual warfare can seem complicated, but it all comes down to one word: “Jesus.” That’s where the power is, in the name of Jesus. It’s not in the sound of the letters but in the Person the letters stand for. When it seems all is lost and we are helpless, we need only to cry out to Jesus and He will hear us. We need only to think His name and we tap into His power and strength.
We can do nothing in our name, all power is in His name. “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). “Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus…” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
We believers have been given an amazing gift, the authority in His name to pray and to exercise His power in this world. The name of Jesus carries inherent power to cause every adverse thing to bow, and will pull you out of whatever you’ve been stuck in.
Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
‘Jesus’ means ‘deliverer, savior.’ Make a list of as many things as you can think from which Jesus has delivered you. Pray and thank Him for each one individually.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India, Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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