Three Names of Jesus: Devotionals

Since I was a kid, I have always looked forward to Christmas with excitement and anticipation. When I was a young girl in Nigeria, I looked forward to my puffy Christmas dress and spending time with my hoard of cousins in the village. As a grown-up, I still enjoy some Christmas traditions annually. Every Christmas season, I listen to Christmas songs on the radio, go out to see lights, open gifts on Christmas morning, and listen to my kids play carols on the piano. But I have learned that none of these activities focus on Jesus Christ.

A couple of years ago, Asheritah Cuicui introduced me to studying the names of Jesus through her devotional, “Unwrapping the Names of Jesus.” I have come to learn more about who Jesus Christ is and who I am in Him as I have spent time meditating on His many names/titles. Each name of Jesus Christ gives us insight into His nature and character. As we get to know Him more, we can worship Him with awe and fellowship more intimately with Him.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, I invite you to study the names of Jesus with me. I have shared three of His names in this article as short devotionals. To read an earlier article that I wrote titled “Reflecting on the Meaning of Immanuel: God with Us,” click HERE.

I pray that God will give you wisdom and revelation so that you may know Christ and live fully for Him.

Merry Christmas!!

Prince of Peace

The Hebrew word translated as peace is shalom, and according to Strong’s concordance means completeness, soundness, and welfare.

Jesus is our Peace with God

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 NIV

Because of our sins, we were enemies of God and separated from Him (Ephesians 2:13). But Jesus restored our relationship when He took on our sins and died the death we deserved on the cross. Jesus reconciled us to a peaceful, intimate, wholesome relationship with God (Romans 5:1,10; Colossians 1:19-20). Now we are joined to God and can fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3). Sin (and its consequences) has lost its hold on us.

Jesus is our Peace with others

Because we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in peace with others, have fellowship with one another, and live in unity (Ephesians 4:3). He empowers us to be peacemakers with our neighbors, friends, and foes (James 3:18).

Jesus is our Peace within

In Him, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). He makes us whole and complete, just like Himself (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). When trials come to test our faith, His peace comforts and strengthens us. His peace is not temporary or fleeting. It goes beyond our emotions and does not depend on our circumstances (John 16:33).

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

Thank you, Lord, for being my Peace!

Prayer

Father, we thank You for reconciling us to You through Your Son, Jesus, our Prince of Peace. As we continue to exercise faith in Your word, empower us even more, to pursue peace in all our relationships. Help us embrace Your peace daily, even through the trials of life, so that we will be continually comforted and strengthened by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Light of the World

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 NIV

Light is synonymous with eternal life, holiness, truth, goodness, freedom, and wholeness. On the other hand, darkness symbolizes spiritual deadness, sin, evil, falsehood, captivity, and fear.

Before we came to Christ by putting our faith in Him as the Lord of our lives, we were in darkness. Having received the life of Christ, we are now children of light (Ephesians 5:8-9).

The light of Jesus frees us from sin and all its consequences. As we follow Jesus by abiding in His Word and obeying Him, the light of His Word guides our path and frees us from confusion and the traps of the enemy. His light exposes our self-centeredness and ungodly motives and directs us to repentance and holiness.

When we encounter people living in darkness, Jesus’ light reflects through us to attract them into His kingdom. Our good deeds shine for all to see as we yield to the Holy Spirit and walk in love.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for Your light that has freed us from sin. May Your light shine into the hidden recesses of our hearts and expose all areas of darkness in our minds, emotions, and attitudes. Use us as vessels to shine Your light for others to come to You and receive Your eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Lion of Judah

Lion of the Tribe of Judah is one of Jesus’ Messianic titles. In my language, Igbo, we praise Him as “Agu n’eche mba.”

Judah was one of the 12 sons of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob (also called Israel). When Jacob was dying, he blessed Judah and referred to him as a lion’s cub and lion. Jacob prophesied over Judah that he would overcome his enemies and the scepter of kingship would never depart from him (Genesis 49: 8-10).

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” – Genesis 49: 8-10 NIV

The tribe of Judah went on to produce kings, including David. Jesus descended from the family line of Judah and David and is also known as the Root and Son of David.

Jesus as a Lion

When I think about a lion, multiple words and phrases flash through my mind, including:

King of the Jungle
Powerful
Stately
Authoritative
Fierce
Devours

Lions are fierce and fearful. When they roar, all enemies scatter. But on the flip side, lions are protective of their family/pride, who rely on them for safety.

Multiple Scriptures describe God as a lion who roars in power against the wicked but defends those who trust in Him. (See Joel 3:16; Jeremiah 25:30-31; Isaiah 31:4.)

Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Like a lion, He is all-powerful, yet He humbled Himself, and “like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7), He died on the cross, shed His blood, and resurrected in victory against the devil, sin, and death.

Jacob’s blessing was a Messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ as the descendant of Judah who will reign forever.

Jesus will come back to rule the world. The scepter refers to authority, which will never depart from Jesus. He will destroy Satan, judge the nations, and rule for eternity. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and every knee will bow before Him (Revelation 19:16).

Prayer

Jesus, we worship, adore, and praise You, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. We ask that You forgive us for the times we have trivialized Your power and authority and have not feared You as we should. Thank You so much for protecting and defending us from the traps of the enemy and for being so good to us.

Jesus, we will be forever grateful for Your Spirit that You have given us as a gift. Remind us when we are doubtful and fearful that You dwell in us by Your Spirit. Therefore, when we open our mouths to speak, You roar through us to bring things in conformity to Your (not our) will. AMEN!!

I am grateful to my friend, Rebecca, for her contribution to the section on Prince of Peace.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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