When studying God’s Word, it is interesting to note the different roles, names, and titles Scripture applies to Jesus. Each of these teaches significant truths about who Jesus is.
First and foremost, Scripture proves that Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:30-31).
This infers that Jesus is deity. The Word (God the Son) has existed from eternity, and took part in creating the world (John 1:1-3). He selflessly humbled Himself by descending to earth (Phil. 2:5-8). When “The Word became flesh” (John 1:14), He walked the earth as fully God and fully man. This is alluded to in the name Immanuel, “which is, being interpreted, ‘God with us’” (Matt. 1:23).
By coming to earth and living perfectly as a man, the Son of God became our Savior. Though man can identify many problems faced, the greatest problem we all face is sin. Sin earns us eternal death in hell (Rom. 6:23). Our Savior made it possible to be saved from sin (Matt. 1:21) and its consequences (Rom. 5:9). Saving us from sin is connected to Jesus’ role as our Redeemer. After sinning even one time, a person becomes enslaved to sin. The debt that is owed to be released from that bondage is too high for any of us to pay. Our Redeemer paid the debt we cannot pay through His death on the cross, thus allowing us to be released from bondage (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
When our Redeemer’s blood was shed, it was “precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:19). This ties in with Jesus’ role as the Lamb of God. By living perfectly as a man, Jesus was “qualified” to be offered as God’s sacrifice for sin.
The significance of Jesus being “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) is better understood when considering the animal sacrifices that were a part of the law of Moses. A title of Jesus that is likewise better understood in light of things written in the Old Testament is that of Messiah, or Christ (cf. John 1:41).
This term, meaning “Anointed,” alludes to Christ’s rule, and also to His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Luke 24:44).
A specific prophecy that was fulfilled in Christ applies to His role as a prophet Himself. Jesus is the prophet like Moses who is deliverer and lawgiver for spiritual Israel, just as Moses was for physical Israel (Deut. 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-23).
As our lawgiver, Jesus must be listened to and heeded (Matt. 17:5). The Father “gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22-23). As the head of the church, Jesus has the authority to establish doctrine for the church.
Jesus’ authority is further shown by His role as our good shepherd. (John 10:11). Sheep need leadership, and Jesus provides this to us through His Word and His example. He has sacrificed for the well-being of His sheep by willfully laying down His life for us.
Jesus’ help provided to the faithful is further emphasized in His role as our great high priest (Heb. 4:14). Because Jesus is fully deity, yet also became fully man, He is perfectly suited to be intercessor (Heb. 7:25) and mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) for the faithful, both of which tie in with who He is as the great high priest.
Jesus is the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). He is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (Rev. 5:5). He is Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 17:14). He is the bread of life (John 6:35), the light of the world (John 8:12), the door to the sheepfold (John 10:9), the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and the true vine (John 15:1).
Much more could be said of Jesus, but these examples illustrate His greatness and how we should respond to Him.
On Judgment Day, His role as judge of all will be seen by all (2 Cor. 5:10). Those who faithfully obey Him will be prepared for that Day, and thus receive the salvation that the Son of God has made possible through the wonderful things He has done (Heb. 5:9).
– Michael Hickox