Names of Jesus
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11
Why are there so many different names of Jesus? The names serve as a description of who Jesus is and how He works in the lives of individuals. Some scholars have located over 700 titles and different names for Jesus in the Bible. Let's study a few of them here.
Alpha and Omega - These two characters were the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This descriptive title expresses the eternal nature of God - the beginning and the end. Revelation 1:8; 22:13
Savior - Jesus is the person who rescues mankind from an eternity in hell.
Redeemer - "One who frees or delivers another from difficulty, danger, or bondage, usually by the payment of a ransom price." In the New Testament, Jesus is viewed as the ultimate Redeemer who gave His life as a ransom.
Mark 10:45, Titus 2:14
Light of the World - Jesus is the Person who brings true knowledge of God. Those who reject this light bring judgment upon themselves. John 8:12; 3:19-21
Lamb of God - This title refers to the Old Testament sacrificial system where God accepted the blood of animals as atonement for sin. (John 1:29, 36) Jesus' blood made atonement for sin!
Ruler of Creation - Christ existed before the creation of the world and He is sovereign over it. Revelation 3:14
Mediator - Because Jesus is fully God, He can represent God to man. Because He is fully man, Jesus can represent man to God. Reconciliation is possible. 1 Timothy 2:5
Bread of Life - Jesus is the one and only supplier of true spiritual nourishment. (John 6:35) Way, Truth, and Life - Jesus is the only way to heaven, the only source of truth, and the foundation of all life. John 14:6
God - Jesus is called God in several passages in the Bible. Along with His sinless life, miracles, and resurrection from the dead, His claims to be God stand firm. John 20:28
Lord - In the New Testament, this term is used as a salutation to honor a man of distinction. The disciples used this term to salute Jesus as their teacher and master. Matthew 22:43-44
Word - This title was used by the apostle John to describe the mission of Jesus. The title states Jesus' Godhead and eternal and absolute deity. John 1:1, 14
Messiah - The long awaited "Anointed One" who would deliver Israel. Jesus came to deliver mankind from sin and death. John 4:25-26
"In the Garden"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
Few of us have experienced such rending agony as to sit in a garden and pray so fervently as to sweat blood. In the Garden offers a spectacular glimpse of Jesus soon before His arrest and crucifixion. Few can even imagine the suffering that He went through but what is more amazing is that He knew what to expect up front and willingly suffered it for every person that was and would ever be. In the Garden stands as a profoundly poignant reminder that we have a God who sent His Son to earth for us and will send His angels to uphold our arms as we pray. Luke 22:39-46
The reason Jesus asked for the cup to be passed from Him while He was in the garden was because this was when He began to take on the sins of mankind. He was in great agony at this time because Satan and all his forces were trying to kill Jesus in the garden. Jesus knew if He died there then God's Redemption Plan would not be fulfilled. So, the angel strengthened Him and helped Him through this life and death struggle.
"In the Wilderness"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
We all experience adversity throughout our lives making us feel as though we are in a figurative wilderness. The Bible says that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was both fully God and fully man and that we have a God who was in all ways tempted as we are. In striking contrast to the complexity of some of Ron DiCianni’s previous works, this soulful and simple painting spectacularly captures the image of Christ in the wilderness. Tempted by the Devil, weary and worn, Jesus resisted and persevered. In the Wilderness presents a timeless statement that though we may be tempted and weary in this life, we have a divine model of how to persevere during times of struggle.
Hebrews 4:15
"Out of the Tomb"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
1 Cor. 15:14 NIV
The words and acts of Christ, and therefore, Christianity, live or die by one single historical event. It is not Jesus’ coming, nor His miracles or teachings that prove He is who He said He is. It was the day Jesus stepped out of the tomb by His own power that He proved conclusively who He is – our Lord and Savior.
When the devil thought he had defeated Jesus and had locked him away in a tomb, he rejoiced for three days. That was his last happy moment, because what he could never have imagined was that the tomb would soon be empty and Christ would walk out under the power of the Holy Spirit. That changed everything for every human who ever was or will be. Christ has conquered death, the grave and sin. His death and resurrection paved the way for us to be reconciled with God! Out of the Tomb provides a stunning reminder of the victory we have through Christ!
"He Is Risen"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6
There was a moment that changed the future of mankind forever…however the people closest to the action were asleep. As the Son of God rose from the dead, the guards which stood watch over Jesus’ tomb slept! Beyond its application to the story of Easter…how many times have we seen God try to reach into a life only to find someone asleep and unresponsive? Originally titled Resurrection Morning, He Is Risen is a timeless work of art that tells the story of Christ’s resurrection and reminds us that the power of the cross is truly found in Jesus’ victory over the tomb.
"Safely Home"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
“Your reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9
This last century has produced more martyrs for the sake of faith in Christ than in all the previous centuries combined – over 119 million. This century the death toll continues to rise.
Safely Home is a depiction of the victorious side of martyrdom. The long awaited embrace from our Master and Savior is more than enough reward for the saint who followed in His footsteps. In the painting, Christ steps off His throne to greet the new arrival with the same love that He once demonstrated on a cross outside of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. As promised, He has gone ahead to prepare a place for this martyr. Safely Home shows that death is just the beginning of life…not the end.
"The Leper"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
A simple story told over only a few verses packs an enormous message for anyone who ever came to the Savior needing His touch. Ron DiCianni gives viewers a glimpse into those verses and how the life of one of society’s cast outs was changed forever. In The Leper, notice the position the leper took when he confronted Christ. He fell on his face. He had no options left in his life, no bargaining power – he assumed the only position left. His need made him realize the Savior was his only hope. Also, see the Savior doing what every hopeless case longs for. He did the unthinkable in that day and age…He touched the leper. That would have been a giant mistake for any human not just because of the law, but for the simple reason that this dreaded disease was highly contagious. No problem though for the one who holds in His hands the “sun of righteousness...with healing in its wings.” (Malachi 4:2) Lastly, note the hand that Jesus is holding. New, healthy skin is starting to spread over his body. The leper reached out to the One who heals, and he was a leper no more.
"The Servant"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, the servant of all.’ ” Mark 9:35
Greatness. The very word has a ring to it. There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t want to achieve greatness in some form or another. Where many people get it wrong is over the way to achieve greatness. The Servant vividly depicts the Biblical path to greatness as Christ washes the feet of a modern day businessman who is trying to achieve greatness through the means of Today's world. Look at Christ’s definition – He said a person who chooses to serve is great.
"The Touch"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
As a beautiful illustration of the accessibility of God, The Touch displays a woman reaching out to touch Christ’s garment. Like the woman of old who touched Jesus’ garment and was healed, man today has the same access to God – to His healing, His blessings, His forgiveness, and His love. All we have to do is summed up in the title of this painting… reach out and Touch.
Luke 8:43-48
"The Storm"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
Even for a miracle, this one was a blockbuster. Man stepping out in defiance of the strongest of elements to walk through the most violent of storms. This truly awesome display of Christ’s power as told in Mark 6:45-51 shows that though the tempest may rage on earth, all of nature is subject to the will of God. The Storm serves as encouragement to those weathering the storms of life. It is a simple reminder that God is in control. Just as walking on water seemed impossible to Peter, by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we too can do the impossible.
"Welcome Home"
Artist: Ron DiCianni
Probably no topic is more avoided today than death. It looms as the final enemy. But on the cross, Christ defeated death and Satan. Because of His victory, death for the Christian becomes merely a doorway into eternal life. Welcome Home shows believers a glimpse of the real life God intended us to have with Him from the beginning – one of mansions, streets of gold, the Tree of Life, and best of all the presence of Jesus!
WORTHY! WORTHY! WORTHY! WORTHY IS THE LAMB OF GOD!!
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