“He became sin who knew no sin; that we might become His righteousness; He humbled Himself and carried the cross; Love so amazing, Love so Amazing.” “Jesus Messiah” is one of my favorite songs sung at church. It is obvious that these words refer to Jesus, taken from 2 Cor. 5:21. The chorus gives us names of Jesus that reveal just how amazing His love is. “Jesus Messiah; the name above all names; Blessed Redeemer; Emmanuel; the rescue for sinners; the Ransom from Heaven; Jesus Messiah; Lord of all.” Let’s look at each name.
• Jesus — The angel Gabriel said to Mary, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…” (Luke 1:31-32 NIV1984). Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham. His name in Hebrew (Yeshua) means “The Lord saves.” This was His purpose in coming to earth — to save us from our sins.
• Messiah — The Hebrew meaning is “Anointed One.” One of the two disciples, Andrew, followed Jesus after hearing John the Baptist call Him the Lamb of God. In his excitement, he immediately found his brother, Simon, and said, “…We have found the Messiah…” (John 1:41). He then introduced him to Jesus. Throughout the New Testament, there is proof that Jesus was the “chosen (anointed) one.” As witnesses to the crucifixion and resurrection, Peter later said, “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42).
• The Name Above All Names — JesushumbledHimself by setting aside all divine privilegesand submitting Himself to death on a cross. “Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). This powerful and significant name commands our worship and our realization that He has authority over everything. Paul stated that Jesus’ humility is an example for us. There is no room for pride and self-acclamation in a Christian’s life.
Blessed Redeemer — “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24). This song says it clearly: “He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay; I needed someone to wash my sins away…; Jesus paid a debt he did not owe.” “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).
• Emmanuel— “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel — which means ‘God with us’” (Matt. 1:23). God is active in our lives to strengthen, encourage, and comfort us. He has promised never to leave us.
• A Rescue for Sinners — Jesus “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Galatians 1:4-5).
• A Ransom from Heaven— “Even the Son of Man did not cometo be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
• Lord of All — Peter said, “Youknow the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).Christ is either Lord of all or is not Lord at all.
“Jesus Messiah — love so amazing!”
