Muslims Ask

The Name of Jesus
(by Dale Fagerland)

What does your name mean? Some parents in the West give their newborn baby a name just because the name sounds cute!  But one of the things many of us in the West appreciate about other cultures is the serious meaning of the name given to a new baby. 

If you visit Burkina Faso, West Africa, for example, you might meet

• Wendekouni (Gift from God)
• Getawende (Look to God)
• Peguedewende (Praise God)
• Abdullaye, or Abdullah (Servant of God)
• Salam (Peace)
• Rahman (Compassionate)

Perhaps your name has great significance.  Now, are you living up to the name your parents gave you?!

Have you ever wondered what the name Jesus or Isa means?  You see, this was not a name that his earthly parents chose for him.  It is recorded in the Holy Scriptures that God sent the angel Gabriel to tell the virgin Mary to name her miracle child, “Jesus” or (Isa).  This is recorded in the Injil Luke chapter 2, beginning with verse 26.  The name Jesus, or (Isa), means the One Who Saves, or the One Who Delivers.

I’m sure you are familiar with the expression “Jesus Christ” or “Isa al-Masih.”  This means “Jesus the Messiah,” or “Jesus the Anointed One.”  Jesus was anointed, or chosen by God for a unique purpose—to save people from their sins.

Everything about Isa al-Masih was unique:

• He was not born into royalty.  In fact his parents were poor and humble.
• He was born in a barn—a stable where animals eat and sleep.
• Jesus did not grow up in big city.
• He never went to university.
• He never married.
• He never owned a home or a farm.
• He never had a bank account or a lot of money.
• He never traveled more than 350 kilometers from His place of birth. 
• Jesus died a criminal’s death on a cross—even though He was innocent.

Perhaps you are still asking, “How can Jesus help me?”

• Are you hungry?  Jesus is the Bread of Life.
• Are you thirsty?  Jesus is Living Water.
• Are you lost?  Jesus will rescue you, for he is the Way, or the Path.
• Are you sick?  Jesus is the Healer, the Great Physician.
• Have you been lied to?  Jesus is Truth.
• Are you afraid?  Jesus will calm your fears, for he is the Prince of Peace.
• Are you spiritually dead?  Jesus is alive!  He is the Resurrection and the Life!
• Are you spiritually tired?  Jesus will give you rest for your soul.
• Are you lonely?  Jesus is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.
• Are you in desperate need?  Jesus will be your Provider.
• Are you living in sin?  Jesus will forgive you.
• Are you burdened?  Is the load of life heavy?  Jesus will lift your burdens.
• Do you need a guide?  Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He will lead.  He will feed.  He will guide.  He will watch over you.
• Do you need a sacrifice?  Jesus is the Lamb of God.  He is your sacrifice.
• Do you need a mediator?  Jesus intercedes for us before God.

I invite you to come to Jesus today.  Believe in His name: Jesus—Savior, Deliverer.  Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”  (Injil Matt. 11:28-29).