The Precious Name of Jesus

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. – Revelation 1:8

A quick search of the Internet yields some interesting (if not incomplete) information about the names of God. One site promised to provide 10 powerful and important names for God. There were 10 names to be sure. But they were all Old Testament names: Yahweh Jireh: The Lord Will Provide; Yahweh Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, and the like. Good names. Interesting insights and implications.

I was surprised that the site listed no New Testament names for God. This is quite significant in that the New Testament provides some specific names of God by which he has expressly revealed himself. I had expected to see at least Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The name of Jesus, moreover, is the singularly most important name by which God has revealed himself. It is at the name of Jesus that every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:10-11). There is salvation found in no other name than Jesus (Acts 4:12). God’s final word to the world was spoken through his Son (Hebrews 1:1-3). The Word made flesh, full of grace and truth is the eternal reality of this mystery we know of as the Triune God.

The book of Revelation is the “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). And Jesus Christ now exalted, and having sat down at the right hand of God proclaims himself to be the Alpha (beginning) and Omega (ending) of all things. He is the One who was, who is, and who is to come–eternally present, and above all.

I hesitate to say too much about this, but for a period of time my left hip was racked with the pain of osteoarthritis. I would awaken in the middle of the night in excruciating pain. I would pray, asking God to relieve the pain. I never treated it as a magic formula or a neat little trick; but when I called on God “in the name of Jesus Christ,” I would experience relief within 10 minutes. It certainly left an impression on me.

If we call on God in the name of Jesus, we find a tower of strength, security, and safety. We need not learn any special names (however edifying that might be). The only name that really matters is Jesus.