I was once asked by a student, “Have you ever heard of a nam named Jesus?”
Kid, if only you knew.
What comes to mind when you hear the name Jesus? What emotions flood your heart? Do you remember the first time you heard this name? Or better yet, do you remember the first time you took that name seriously? Do you remember those times you called on that name because mom was too far away and you couldn’t reach dad? Do you remember the times you called this name and something changed? What about the time you called this name and miracles happened? Sometimes we call on this name when we are in trouble. Late at night when no one is around we cry out this name because there’s something on the inside that tells us there is bell attached to this name. When we experience the goodness of God and want to express gratitude, some of us exclaim, “Thank You, Jesus!” For those of us who have had experience with this name and most importantly with the man attached to this name, this name and that man are powerful.
For countless people across the world this name is unique, it’s special, and it has power, but 2,000 years ago this name was one of the most common names in the Jewish community. Everyone knew of at least three men named Jesus. As a matter of fact, one or the reasons the name Jesus was so prevalent thousands of years ago is because “Jesus” is what we today would refer to as a nickname; the proper name is actually Joshua. So why would the unique Son of God live on Earth with such a common name? The name Joshua is Hebrew and it means, “Yahweh saves.” The name Jesus means the same thing. So whether you knew Jesus from uptown, Jesus from down the street, or Jesus next door, there was only one Jesus who could truly save people from the mess they were in. There was only one Jesus who could cure the incurables and there was only one Jesus who who could make a way out of no way.
And that was Jesus of Nazareth.
Today, just like thousands of years ago, there are many counterfeit Jesuses. Everything is advertised to save us from ourselves; supplements are meant to save us from our insecurities surrounding our weight, banks and fonqnqxial gurus are meant to save us from financial instability, entertainment saves us from having to confront what is difficult and numb ourselves to responsibility. For others, drugs, sex, alcohol, or anything else whether acceptable or not can serve as Jesus. It does not matter if someone professes Christianity or not, everybody knows a Jesus. Yet the same is true to this day—it does not matter what you rely on to save you, there is still only one Jesus who saves.
And that’s Jesus, the Son of God.
The setting is Jerusalem. It’s a cool, crisp Froday morning in early April and the sun is still wiping the crust from its eyes as it breaks over the horizon. There’s a crowd outside the Praetoeium, the palace where Pontius Pilate stared while he was in Jerusalem. The chief priests and Jewish leaders just delivered Jesus of Nazareth over to Pilate to be crucified. But Pilate has something else in mind. There was a custom that every year during Passover he would release a prisoner back to the people, mirroring how God set Israel free from Egyptian bondage. Onone side side there is Jesus of Nazareth, the man the people have began to call the Messiah. On the other side was a zealot arrested for murder during an insurrection. We know him as Barabbas, but according to Matthew 27:16 his name was Jesus as well; “At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas.”
Regardless of your situation or what life hands you, you will always end up picking Jesus. The issue is if you pick the right one.
We know how this played out—the Jewish leaders chose the murderer over the Messiah and Jesus was crucified, but the story does not end with death or the grave. But what is valuable for us to understand in order for us to live a stable and secure life is to place our hope and trust in the man named Jesus who is able to meet us where we are and save us from what is trying to take us out. I opened this conversation with you under the assumption that you have history with the Son of God, but this post is going to come across someone who does not know Him. Whenever you read this post, Jesus will remain the same. There is a reason why this name is so revered and is met with awe; the man who gave this name its true meaning is worth knowing. I don’t know where you are in your own journey of life, but Jesus is the answer you’ve been searching for. He is the healing you need. He is the friend that will never betray you, nor will He ever forsake you. This post is that “sign” or confirmation you’ve been looking for to give Jesus Christ your heart. Accepting Jesus does not chnage that life can be frightening and you still won’t know all the answers, but living life with Jesus makes even the uncertainty worth it. I pray you will get to know the man named Jesus because He makes all things new.
Until next time, continue to stay guided by grace,
Tra
Guided by Grace 