Matthew 1:21 – “And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name JESUS (Saviour): for He shall save His People from their sins”.
A while back Fox News Anchor, Brit Hume, stirred up a hornet’s nest by suggesting that a particular world athlete who was caught up in a very public domestic issue, find forgiveness and restoration by “embracing Christianity.” Almost immediately the uproar started with articles being written, commentators weighing in on his comments. I was actually watching that Sunday morning when Mr. Hume made that statement, and I even commented on it during my sermon that morning.
It was interesting to note the hatred and opposition that came his way, especially considering that he didn’t even say the Name, “Jesus Christ,” but, just “Christianity.” In the days following he did use the Name “Jesus,” and came under even more fire. I saw him being interviewed a couple of days later, and I heard him lament that he didn’t understand why people get so upset when you say the Name “Jesus,” or “Christian,” or “Christianity.”
The fact is that right now in America, the Name “Jesus” is a hated and despised name. One can publicly use the name “Allah,” “Buddha,” “Confucius,” or any other name of a false deity, and the media won’t say one thing. But, if you say, “Jesus,” they fall on the floor kicking and screaming acting like a spoiled three year old brat. “Allah,” “Buddha,” etc., doesn’t stir up hatred, but the Name “Jesus” does, and why? I will answer that in a moment, but first let me lay down some groundwork.
What’s In A Name?
In Western culture names are just labels to identify one person from another. We pick a name for our children because it’s popular, or it’s different, etc. However, in the Bible names have great importance or significance.
In the Bible we find at times a person’s name was given to reference a great truth, or circumstance, or even at times a name had a prophetic meaning. In the Bible a person’s name can actually portray to us Bible Doctrine. Look at “Jacob.” In the life of Jacob we are actually given the Doctrine of Sanctification. Jacob means “surplanter” or “deceiver,” but in the end God changed his name to “Israel,” meaning “a prince of God.” One name describes his beginning, the other his end. All of it paints a picture of progressive Sanctification.
Moses means “drawn out.” He was drawn out of the waters of the Nile. He was drawn out of Egypt, he was drawn out from the backside of the desert. This portrays to us that the Work of the Holy Spirit is to draw people “out of something” in order to bring us “into something.”
When Solomon was born, the Prophet Nathan went to David and told him that God would call the infant “Jedidiah,” which means, “beloved of the Lord.” In this, Grace is portrayed to us.
Actually, in the names of the sons of Jacob, the entire plan of Salvation is given:
Reuben means “see a son” – a child is born into the world.
Simeon means “hearing” – when the child is old enough, it is to hear the Gospel.
Levi means “joined” – a child is born, it hears the Gospel and is joined to Christ.
Judah means “praise” – the child is born, it hears the Gospel, is joined to Christ, and praises the Lord.
Issachar means “reward” – the child is born, hears the Gospel, is joined to Christ, praises the Lord, and the Lord gives the reward of Eternal Life.
Zebulun means “dwelling” – the child is born, hears the Gospel, is joined to Christ, praises the Lord, the Lord gives the reward of Eternal Life, and now the child will dwell with the Lord forever and forever.
Dan means “judgment” – Jesus has taken the Judgment due us.
Naphtali means “wrestling” – Jesus has wrestled the powers of darkness on our behalf and defeated our enemy.
Gad means “troop” or “good fortune” – Jesus is the troop who has fought on our behalf and brought us good fortune.
Asher means “happy” – Jesus has made us happy.
Joseph means “added” – Jesus has added all Believers to the Kingdom.
Benjamin means “strong right hand” – Jesus is the Father’s Strong Right Hand.
So, we can see that in the Bible names mean something, they were given to be more than just a way to identify one from another.
So too does the Name “Jesus” mean something. In Scripture, God has used many Names to represent and reveal Himself to man. By the use of His many Names, we begin to see His Works, His Character, His Nature, His Greatness, and His Glory.
The Names of God used in the Bible through the pages of the Old Testament and the New Testament are many and varied.
The first Name for God found in the Bible is “Elohim” (Gen. 1:1), and portrays God’s Power and Might. In Genesis 2:4 He is revealed as Jehovah-Yahweh, a reference to God’s Divine Salvation. In Exodus 31:13, God is revealed as Jehovah-Maccaddeshem, “the Lord our Sanctifier.” Psalm 23:1 gives us Jehovah-Rohi, “the Lord my Shepherd.” Ezekiel 48:35 gives us Jehovah-Shammah, “the Lord Who is present.” Exodus 15:26 shows us Jehovah-Rapha, “the Lord our Healer.” Jeremiah 23:6 gives us Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “the Lord our Righteousness.” Genesis 22:13-14 portrays to us Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord our Provider.” In Exodus 17:15 we find Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord our Banner.” Judges 6:24 gives us Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord our Peace.” Genesis 14:17-20 shows us El-Elyon, “the Most High God”; in Genesis 16:13 is El-Roi, “the Strong One Who sees”; in Genesis 17:1 is El-Shaddai, “God Almighty”; in Isaiah 40:28-31 is El-Olam, “the Everlasting God”; and, Malachi 1:6 reveals to us Adonai, “the Lordship of God.”
Oftentimes we read in the Bible that which we interpret as a title, but is actually a Name identifying the Lord. Space doesn’t allow me to give you a complete list of His many Names, but I will give a few so you can see what I mean.
A. Advocate, Alpha, Ancient of Days, Apostle
B. Branch, Bread of Life, Bridegroom, Bright and Morning Star
C. Chief Shepherd, Christ, Comforter, Cornerstone, Counselor, Creator
D. Deliverer, Door
E. Eternal God, Everlasting Father
F. Faithfulness, Foundation, Friend
G. Gift of God, Glory of the Lord, Good Shepherd, Great High Priest
H. High Priest, Holy One, Hope, Horn of Salvation
I. I Am, Immanuel
J. Jealous, Judge
K. King Eternal, King of kings
L. Lamb of God, Last Adam, Life, Light, Lily of the Valley, Living Stone, Living Water, Lord
M. Master, Mediator, Merciful God, Messiah
N. Nazarene
O. Omega, Only Begotten Son
P. Potter, Prince of Peace, Prophet, Purifier
R. Redeemer, Refining Fire, Resurrection, Rock, Root of David, Rose of Sharon
S. Scepter, Servant, Shield, Stone, Sun of Righteousness
T. Teacher, Truth
V. Vine
W. Way, Witness, Wonderful, Word
However, out of all the Names I have listed, and the many more I could have listed, there is one that stands head and shoulders above all, and that Name is “Jesus.”
Saviour
Jesus means “Saviour.” Christ means “Anointed.” Jesus Christ means “Saviour Anointed” and Christ Jesus means “Anointed Saviour.”
The Name “Jesus” stands in contrast to any other name, for the Name “Jesus” identifies man’s problem and God’s Solution.
In the Name “Jesus” we find God identifying with man. Man had sinned and was separated from God. God could have destroyed man, but instead God chose to save man.
To save man, God would have to become man. For as it was, a man (Adam) brought about man’s Fall, and so it would have to be a man to redeem man. However, man is polluted and the bloodline corrupted, so God became man, flesh and blood, but without the fallen Adamic Nature; hence, Satan had no hold or control over Him. He would die on Calvary’s Cross as the representative man – the man “Jesus,” and would atone for all sin, past, present, and future.
The Benefits
In the Name “Jesus” we find encapsulated all of who He was, what He did, and His many Benefits. Whatever Bible Doctrine you want is found in that wonderful Name. Deliverer – Jesus, Healer – Jesus, Justification – Jesus, Sanctification – Jesus, Grace – Jesus, the Bible – Jesus (He is the Living Word), Blessing – Jesus, Satan – Jesus defeated Satan on Calvary’s Cross by paying the sin debt and breaking the grip of sin, the Church – Jesus is the Head of the Church, Holy Spirit – Jesus is the Baptizer, the Endtimes – Jesus is the Rapture, He is the Second Coming, He is the Millennial Reign. Jesus, He is everything, “You Shall Call His Name Jesus” and what a Name it is. At the Name of “Jesus,” the sinner is Saved, the sick receive healing, the hungry are fed, thirst is vanquished, and the crooked path is made straight.
At the mention of that Name “Jesus,” demons tremble, one day every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
I love that Name, I preach there is no Name under Heaven and Earth whereby man may be Saved except by the Name “Jesus.” I sing Jesus, I think Jesus, I dream Jesus; Jesus, what a lovely Name as the songwriter wrote.
The Answer to Brit Humes’ Question
As Mr. Hume asked, “Why do people get so upset with mentioning Jesus?” The answer is that every time the Name “Jesus” is used, it identifies them as a sinner and Jesus as the Saviour. Fallen man refuses to admit he is a lost sinner. Fallen man refuses to admit he needs a Saviour. In their rebellion they became haters of Jesus Christ, haters of the Cross, and haters of true Christianity.
If Mr. Hume had wished the poor soul in question would come to Allah, nobody in the Liberal Media would have said a word. But when Jesus is mentioned in a positive light, demons rise up.
The Controversy Of Church Vs. State
This controversy that has been raging since the 1950’s is nothing more than a smoke screen, for it’s not really church or religion that is opposed. What they really want is a separation from Jesus Christ and His Influence in the affairs of our country. And if they are able to completely get their way, it’s over for us as a great nation.
Stand Up for Jesus
The True Church must have a backbone of steel and refuse to let the nincompoops (fools) of Education and of the Media take away our most precious freedoms, Free Speech and the Right of Religious Assembly and Worship. Refuse to go along. Never forget we are Soldiers of the Cross and we will not be silent or timid, but vigilant and ready.

Your Evangelist, Donnie Swaggart