What's in a Name, Jesus in the Book of John

For months I was compelled to read the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Over and over I was drawn to Jesus as the Word. Why are you drawing me here Lord? What treasure lays hidden here that you want to reveal to me? As I read the familiar words, my curiosity expanded into the entire book of John. A pattern began to emerge and I was fascinated to understand its purpose. Every two or three chapters John identified Jesus with a symbolic name. Although there are a few more, it became apparent to me that I was to study seven of them. An unmistakable thread is woven through the entire text. John’s goal was to point the reader to Jesus deity.

John poetically described Jesus with symbolic names significant to common people. As a teacher, I love to ask the why. Why did John choose these names? Why were they significant to the early Christians? Just as important, why are they important to us? In this study I posed these questions to the Holy Spirit, and now I share with you what I discovered. The beauty presented in the Gospel of John can be implemented in our lives today. Our God is so good. He designed His word to feed us yesterday, today, and tomorrow.