The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

Because Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, we can accomplish nothing apart from
Him. He is the supplier and sustainer of the very life of the believer, and the Christian life is
lived by faith in Christ (cf. Galatians 2:20). As He lives His life through us, we will bear fruit.
This fruit will consist of both converts to Christ, whom we will be instrumental in reaching; and
the character of Christ, which the Apostle Paul describes as the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23). Our primary responsibility relevant to this name of Christ is that of abiding in Him.
From time to time in our Christian lives, we encounter difficult and trying circumstances.
Many times they are of the sort which cause us to seek spiritual reasons as to the cause. Many
Christians mistakenly conclude at such times that problems in the Christian life are always
caused by sin, and even though they may be right with God, they are convinced they have committed
some sin which they must have forgotten about. What they fail to realize, however, is that
some troubles in the Christian life are the result of our faithfulness. One of the forgotten
promises of Christ is that He will reward fruitfulness with pruning that we “may bring forth more
fruit” (John 15:2). By using a different metaphor, Job expressed this same hope in the midst of
his trial: “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”
(Job 23:10).
CONCLUSION
The above titles of the Lord are significant, for they reveal who He is in relation to His
people. This emphasis is so common in Scripture as to be taken for granted too often by Christians.
In most religious systems, the deity of that religion is to be feared, served, and sacrificed
to. But the Lord delights not in keeping His distance from but in developing a greater intimacy
with His people.
Although Jesus does relate individually to His disciples, it is interesting that many of His
names should relate to the church. During the sixties, the mood of America was largely antiinstitutional,
and many Christians were infected with this spirit and rejected the church. Things
have changed to some degree since then, but many Christians are still somewhat anti-church.
Remember that Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for her and has great plans for her in the
days to come. Christians who voluntarily divorce themselves from the church and fail to belong
to, support, and pray for their local, Bible-believing church are placing themselves in a position
in which they can hardly experience the rich reality of the church names of Jesus.
For Discussion:
1. Discuss the five titles for Christ mentioned in this chapter. What unique ministry is
highlighted in each title?
2. How may we express our submission to Christ as the Head of the Body?
3. Discuss how Jesus the Shepherd is the model for pastors in caring for the flock.
4. As a Bridegroom, what does Christ do for those who are His bride?