PRECIOUS NAMES Gwenda Steward

A Chinese friend encouraged me to read John chapter one to discover many titles of our Lord. With insight, personal experience, and sensitive understanding, the gospel writer, John, packs his first chapter with titles, attributes and glorious portrayals of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John initially emphasises that the Lord Jesus Christ is the WORD, the‘LOGOS’ the character and essence of God, the one prepared as Saviour before the foundation of the world. In the Revelation, John again referred to the Lord Jesus as the Word of God.

( Rev 19:13) Although we may not accept the word of many leaders today, the eternal Word is 100% trustworthy.

John wrote of Jesus the WORD that He was also God (v1). Indeed, He was the God-Man, a title no earthly man dare claim. As well, this truth answers the door-knockers attempting to undermine faith in denying that Jesus is God. He said of Himself, ’I and My Father are one.’

In common with the biblical authors, John refers to Jesus as CREATOR, and we read that ‘All things were made by Him, and that without Him, nothing was made that was made.‘ If John had been talking with Paul, he would have added, ‘And by Him all things hold together.’ ( Colossians 1:17) The clouds form and the rain falls, the sun, moon and stars keep their orbits, the seasons regularly roll, while our bodies are preserved by our great CREATOR.

No human can claim the virtue of being the LIGHT. To a world enshrouded by darkness, oppression, disobedience and rebellion, our Lord came to dispel darkness. We visit our friends’ homes with modern, dim lighting. I ask, ‘Please turn up the light so that I can see what I am to eat. ‘ The dim light may be fine for romantic dinners, but I appreciate the bright light. The LIGHT is the Lord Jesus Christ, who shines upon our thoughts, as we read His word, our spiritual food, and we are enlightened to understand the Scriptures. The Psalm writer(119:105) said, ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.’

Later, John watched the Lord Jesus Christ die on the cross, and three days later saw Him alive again. He knew the joy of the LIGHT of the Lord Jesus, who transformed His own life. The Lord Jesus came as the LIGHT to shatter the darkness of sin in man’s heart.

Recently Jan converted to Jesus Christ. Over a cup of tea, she told me, ’Before my conversion the bible made no sense to me.’ Now I feel I have come out of a tunnel, and its like turning on the light with every verse I read. .

When the chiefs of Jerusalem questioned John the Baptist about Jesus, He quickly assured them that he was not the Christ, the expected Messiah. But how exciting and awe-inspiring, when John the Baptist greeted the crowd in the fields beyond Jerusalem.

As he saw someone walking toward him, he recognised the LORD and his exultant cry rang out, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ God confirmed this and rewarded John when he saw the Spirit , in the form of a dove, resting on the Lord Jesus. That divine act of grace encouraged and comforted John.

One of our nieces visited London for an international, medical conference from which fifty persons were selected to visit Buckingham Palace. Intensely excited, she wrote, ’I saw Her Majesty, the Queen.‘ John the Baptist with greater cause ‘saw the SON OF GOD.’

John’s graphic titles of our Lord led to deeper understanding of the nature, character, and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. At Christmas, HE is usually called ‘JESUS THE SAVIOUR,’ born of the virgin Mary; and IMMANUEL, -God is with us - - and indeed we rejoice at these further titles in and enlightening one chapter.

Next day, two of Jesus’ disciples followed the Lamb of God. These men heard HIM speak convincingly that He was a RABBI, MASTER and TEACHER. Without a second thought, Andrew rushed off to find his brother, Peter. ‘Come with me, We have found CHRIST THE MASTER,’ the promised One, chosen and appointed of God as PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING. Andrew’s quick response encouraged us, while his example challenged us to share the good news of Jesus and His love,

Connie found the Christ from a false religion , just as eagerly as Andrew and Peter. She lapped up all the available bible teaching faster than a cat laps a dish of milk; and speaks freely of Jesus’ love to her family and friends. She phoned a talk-back session, telling of her release from confessing to a man to a private confession to her Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Then as Jesus walked in Galilee, he met Philip, whom He called to follow Him. Unreservedly, Philip hurried off to find Nathaniel, ‘Come and see JESUS OF NAZARETH.’ which recognized Jesus as a local citizen, and a man like themselves. He needed a human body, in which to bear our sins on the cross. Each title confirms the message of Christmas, and the great purpose of God, to bring us to Himself.

Nathaniel must have been greatly encouraged with an unsought commendation, ‘Look here for sure, is an Israelite of honesty and integrity.’ Did this challenge other followers?

How did Jesus know the character of Nathaniel, whom He saw for the first time under the fig tree. Nathaniel recognised the supernatural character of Jesus, by acknowledging Him as TEACHER, SON OF GOD, and KING OF ISRAEL. Indeed, He is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. Three years later, even Pilate reluctantly admitted that He was the KING OF THE JEWS.

The earthly ministry of the SON OF MAN reminded His followers that the crucified and risen Christ ascended through the clouds into heaven, one day returning in the same way for all who love and trust Him.

Christmas and Easter are exceptional times when hearts are especially warmed to welcome a witness to our love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Present Him with an appropriate title when conversing. Last year at Christmas one of my friends invited ten of her near neighbours to morning coffee. Surprisingly, they all came; and over coffee and her delicious cakes, the neighbours asked questions ‘Why Jesus was born, and how He came to die and rise again?

Are you surprised that so many titles of our dear Lord appear in one chapter?

THE WORD (1).

CREATOR (V3)

LIGHT OF THE WORLD (V5)

LAMB OF GOD (V29)

SON OF GOD (V34)

RABBI; TEACHER MASTER (V38)

THE CHRIST THE MESSIAH (V41)

JESUS OF NAZARETH (V45)

SON OF GOD KING OF ISRAEL (V49)

SON OF MAN (V51)

COME, LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD.

Be sure to share these names with loved ones and close friends. Gwenda