“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2
Who is Jesus? He is known as the Son of God, Emmanuel, and the Blessed Redeemer. He has been called the Good Shepherd, the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace, and the Bread of Life. Most of His names are easy to understand the reason behind them, but sometimes there is much more to the name than meets the eye.
Author and Finisher – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
- The Word of God begins with Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” It ends with Revelation 22:21, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” The author of the Bible is Jesus Christ, which is stated in John 1:1 and 1:14. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” This makes Jesus the writer, or author, of the Scriptures, who began the Word of God, then finished it with His work on the cross, providing salvation for all mankind. Thus, He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Alpha and Omega – “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
- Jewish writers often used the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet to denote something that was wholly complete. Here the words Alpha and the Omega respectively are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and refer to the same. These words refer to the completeness of God, who is the Alpha and Omega, and everything that is in between. Jesus is God over all.
Beginning and the End – “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:6)
- God knows no beginning or ending for He is from everlasting to everlasting. However, He is our beginning… our Creator, who made man in His own image, and thus mankind’s relationship with Him began on the 6th day of Creation. When Adam and Eve severed their connection with God through their sin, God chose to restore it. He ended that separation by providing redemption through the blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus ended the power of sin and death forever. Thus, He is the beginning and the end.
First and the Last – “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:” (Revelation 1:17)
- Jesus is the first and the last. He is the fulfillment law (the first), which was given to Moses, and He is the manifestation of the “good news,” the gospel (the last). Jesus gave us the law to make us aware of our sin, which separated us from God, and then Jesus became the Saviour who would sacrifice Himself to reconcile humanity with God. He was first the Judge, then lastly, He became the Saviour.
When Jesus calls me to heaven, I will finally see Him as He is. He will be all of these names and so much more. Perhaps for me, the most precious name by which I will call Him will be “my Saviour,” and I will spend eternity praising His name…
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there’s something about that name
(from “There’s Something About That Name” by Bill and Gloria Gaither)
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
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Praise the name of Jesus!