Ragamuffin: Jesus

… the best ‘name above all names’

“A knowledge of the real Jesus is essential. The reality of an individual who has set the western calendar, permeated human thought and history for over 2,000 years, and influenced the culture of the dominant nations for a millennium demands to be taken seriously.”
 Joel Edwards, An Agenda for Change

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esus – I have always liked that name… that aspect of the man who died on the cross. He has many names and titles.

Savior: Yes, this is so true. He is my Savior. He has saved me from my own self many times. Savior is a vital aspect of Jesus but I still like “Jesus” the best.

King: It is right to say He was, or is, the King. King of kings. This means something practical to me – He rules and reigns in my everyday life. He certainly deserves the title “King” but I still like “Jesus” the best.

Christ: He wears this as a prophetic title. He is the Messiah. The one who fulfills over 300 Old Testament prophecies. He is definitely worthy of that title as well. But I still like “Jesus” the best of all.

Some called Him an “illegitimate child”. This was a scandal in His day. It would be a topic for gossip for years to come.

Others said “friend of sinners” with a scowl on their faces. Although this was meant in a derisive manner it comes pretty close to being my favorite all-time titles of Jesus. Maybe it would be #2 on my list.

“Jesus” is still #1 for me. Why? Well, it is His actual name not only a title. “Joshua” meaning “God is my salvation” The name Joshua is the Hebrew form of the Greek name Jesus, and most probably the name by which Jesus was known by His contemporaries. I can hear his mother calling “Josh – get in here for dinner!”. Or “Josh, close the door! Were you born in a barn!” Okay, maybe she didn’t say that!

“Jesus” says to me that God cared enough to come and live in my skin, to live “in my neighborhood” as one version puts it. He is the man who knows what it is like to be human. That is why “Jesus” is my best title, best name and . . . my best friend!

Ragamuffin appears every Monday on theRubicon. Find past Ragamuffin posts and a bio of Capt. Jay Davis here.

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