Advent - Glory to God in the Highest - 3rd Sunday

THE MEANING OF JESUS’ NAMES: SAVIOR, CHRIST AND LORD - Luke 2:1-20

In the Bible, Jesus has many names. Today we’ll learn more about three of his names: Savior, Christ, and Lord.

The first name, Savior, means someone who rescues or saves. The angels told the shepherds,

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior . . .” (Luke 2:10b–11).

The angels also announced that Jesus was the Christ. The word, Christ, means anointed one or king of God’s choice. Through the prophets, God promised that a king would come to rescue God’s people and reign forever on David’s throne. Listen to this prophecy:

And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. 2 Samuel 7:11–14

Though Jesus was born a human king, he was different from other kings. He was also Lord. God tells us that Jesus is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16b). Jesus rules over all because Jesus created all. Colossians 1:16–20 says:

For by him, all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:16-20

Jesus is the Son of God who created the earth and all it contains. Jesus holds all things together by the power of his command. Jesus rules over all. Jesus was and is fully man, but he was and is fully God. Jesus could die in our place because he was born human, but he rose from the dead because he is God. By being both man and God, Jesus was able to bring God and man together. Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is the Christ, the promised King. And Jesus is Lord, the ruler over heaven and earth.