The Name of Jesus

Image for Philippians 2:9-11

What Does the Name “Jesus” Mean?

We tend to use Jesus Christ as if that were his first and last name, but Christ is a title, the Anointed One or Messiah. We need a clearer picture of what the name “Jesus” means.

In Hebrew and Aramaic, his name is Yeshua.

The Aramaic Word Picture for Yeshua

The Aramaic word picture for the name Jesus is:

The power of change, completely experienced.

The whole idea of the name Yeshua or Jesus is that of a deliverer or savior.

Jesus has sheltered us, given us victory, and preserved us. He’s the one who causes the power of change to be experienced in our lives.

Book cover for Jesus Christ: The Name That Changes Everything

That kind of change is continuing; it’s going on every day.

The first time in the Bible that the name from which we get Yeshua is used is in Exodus. Moses was wandering in the desert and came upon a well where women were wanting to water the sheep but were being prevented from doing so.

Exodus 2:17 KJV:
And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped [related to the word Yeshua] them, and watered their flock.

The daughters needed someone else to come and help them. That’s the idea behind the word “savior.” They couldn’t save themselves. And neither could we!

Every time you read the word “Jesus,” think deliverer, helper, the one who brings me victory. Think, “He’s my Savior.”

Philippians 2:8–11 APNT:
8 And he humbled himself and became obedient until death, even the death of the cross.
9 Because of this, God also elevated him highly and gave him a name that is greater than all names,
10 that at the name of Jesus [Yeshua, deliverer, helper, savior] every knee should bow that is in heaven and on earth and that is under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus [Yeshua, deliverer, helper, savior] Christ is the lord, to the glory of God his Father.

When we use his name, we are calling on him to come into a situation and effectively change it.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV:
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19–23 APNT:
19 We have, therefore, my brothers, boldness in the entering of the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus [Yeshua, deliverer, helper, savior]
20 and a way of life that is now made new for us by the veil that is his flesh.
21 And we have a high priest over the house of God.
22 Therefore, we should come near with a steadfast heart and with the confidence of faith, our hearts being sprinkled and pure from an evil conscience and our body washed with pure water.
23 And we should persist in the confession of our hope and we should not waver, for he is faithful who promised us.

When we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, we shouldn’t just take it for granted; we should be aware of what that name means.

Remember lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful?

Acts 3:6 KJV:
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus [Yeshua, deliverer, helper, savior] Christ [the Anointed One] of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 3:16 APNT:
And by the faith of his name he has strengthened and healed this [man], whom you see and know, and faith that is in him has given him this wholeness before all of you.

Acts 3:16 KJV:
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Hebrews 12:2 APNT:
And we should look at Jesus, who was the initiator and finisher of our faith, who for the joy there was for him endured the cross and discounted the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We don’t have to manufacture the faith; he’s the initiator and finisher of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2a KJV:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith….

Hebrews 12:2a ESV:
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…

You don’t have to know everything about a situation; you have to know the Savior.

The audio contains a sharing about using the name of Jesus. Multiple healing and deliverance incidents during a mission trip to Romania.

Scripture References

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See Also:

The Name of Jesus Christ

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