Tag Archives: Jesus
“Christ”
My name is Jerry. But some people feel uncomfortable using that name so they call me ‘Pastor.’ I have gotten used to that designation and answer to it when addressed in that way. It has become almost like a second name for me. In reality, though, it isn’t a name at all but a title. Common use turns it into a name. That is true of other titles like ‘Doctor,’ ‘Coach’ and ‘Teacher.’ It also applies to the title ‘Christ,’ for ‘Christ’ is the label which describes The God-man who was prophesied to come to earth to reconcile man and God by His death and resurrection. The fact that this title was applied to Jesus of Nazareth shows that Jesus the man was also the Christ/Messiah. Others recognized this about Him (Luke 9:18-27; John 1:40-42; 4:25-26). What was so special about being the Christ? We must understand more … Continue reading
Posted in Names of Jesus
Tagged Christ, Jesus
“Jesus”
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 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 … Continue reading
Posted in Names of Jesus
Tagged Jesus
Joseph: A Real Man
Men are in trouble today! Most of us don’t grow up knowing what it really means to be a man. Many in the world consider toughness, macho behavior and self-sufficient independence to be marks of a ‘real man.’ . As true manhood fades, the family, church and nation are undermined. Women have to take up the slack, but aren’t able to replace what men are supposed to be and do. Unfortunately it’s not much different for Christian men, either. Just because our sins are forgiven and we are going to heaven when we die doesn’t mean we automatically mature as men! There are very few good role models for men or boys today. There are some in the Bible, though. Joseph in the New Testament is one such man, a real man. Matthew tells the story of Joseph because it is the legal legacy of Jesus. Joseph was a carpenter, … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas, Jesus' Life, Mens Issues
Tagged Christmas, Jesus, Jesus' birth, men
Mary: God’s Slave
Nazareth was a small village that was home to more Gentiles than Jews, including a Roman garrison. There were many pagan temples and the Jews for the most part weren’t particularly godly. It was a despised city in a despised area with a well deserved bad reputation. So why did God choose that as the place to be born into the world? Why did Mary and Joseph have to grow up there? Perhaps to show that Jesus knows what we go through because He and His parents went through the hard parts of life as well. Despite the circumstances, Mary and Joseph kept their lives pure and their eyes on God. Still, she was very surprised that morning when Gabriel appeared and spoke to her (Luke 1:26-38). It was the dream of young girls to be privileged to be the mother of the Messiah, and with a name like Mary … Continue reading
Posted in Character, Christmas, Jesus' Life, Spiritual Life
Tagged Christmas, Discipleship, Jesus, Jesus' birth, submission
