Letter To Our Children

Hello friends!

Timothy, Luke, and Indiana are three of the four names on the list of names my wife and I created when the time would come to name our first child. We chose, as you probably know, Jared.

Parents choose many creative and imaginative ways to pick names for their children. Some parents name their children after a relative or a friend. Others find inspiration in a famous person. Others look to the scriptures for a name that means something deeply to them or a personal hope they have for their children.

Bible names given in Bible times have their background in an important tradition that the name chosen gave information, describing in some way who people are or will become. This is the reason for the many names of Jesus we read of in the New Testament. His names tell us that He is to be worshipped, praised, and honored as the splendor His name deserves.

In last week’s letter, we learned the meaning of Jesus, Lord, and Christ. Let’s keep learning.

Son of God 

The opening verse of Mark's gospel describes Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Satan, demons, John the Baptist, Christ's disciples, angels, and a Roman centurion all referred to Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus even gave this title to Himself. If you think about it, all of heaven and earth, the seen and the unseen world, knew or would eventually know Jesus as the Son of God.

Jesus is human, and He obeyed His Father perfectly, but He is also divine. He is coequal to God and the Holy Spirit and coeternal in glory, authority, and power. Jesus said anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9)). Jesus never had a beginning date. He is eternal. This is recorded in God's word and shown to be true in His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4; Acts 13:33-37).

The Son of God, Jesus, has all power. He saves, forgives, heals, restores, and keeps forever His own.

Shepherd

This name tells us of Jesus’ compassion and protection. As Shepherd, Jesus goes after lost sheep (people) and knows perfectly His own. The relationship between Christ and His sheep is so strong, that He willingly lays down His life and dies to pay the debt for the wrong things His sheep have done (John 10:11)

As simple as this name is, there are many-sided truths.

I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and He will tend them; He will tend them and be their shepherd. Ezekiel 34:23

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the Sheep. John 10:11

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:31-32

In these three verses, we find Jesus as the Pastor of all Pastors leading and teaching His people, the suffering servant who gives His life for His people, and the King of all Kings who will judge all people perfectly on the last day.

Conclusion

What more could we say? He is the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), Almighty, Alpha and Omega (Rev.1:8), Arm of the Lord (Isaiah 51:9) Pioneer of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), Ruler of God’s creation (Rev.3:14), beloved Son (Matthew 12:18), Branch (Isaiah 4:2), Bread of Life (John 6:32), Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22), Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), Deliverer (Romans 11:26), the Door (John 10:7), Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6), I am (John 8:58), King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15), Life (John 14:6), Light of the world (John 8:12), the Lord our righteousness (Jerimiah 23:6), Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), Prince of peace, (Isaiah 9:6) Overseer of our souls (1 Peter 2:25), Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2), True vine (John 15:1),  and Friend (John 15:15)

Everything God’s word tells us about His Son, Jesus, in these names, leaves us no doubt that He is powerful, perfect, and praiseworthy, and His people, you, I, and others, are completely precious to Him.

God bless you and please think about His name(s).

Your friend,

Pastor Joe