By These Names

By Dorothy Leon

Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father (D&C 18:23).

In days of old, many people acquired names that told something about them.

King Richard became Richard the Lion-Hearted to tell of his fearless bravery. The name Ivan the Terrible of Russia speaks for itself, as do the names John the Baptist, Simon the Zealot, and Saint Francis of Assisi (a place in Italy).

Jesus was known as Jesus of Nazareth to distinguish him from others who also carried the name of Jesus in those early days. The name “Jesus” is “Joshua” in Hebrew. It means “savior,” or “he who comes to help.” In Greek, the name Jesus is “Iasathai,” and it means “healer of souls of men.”

Thus, Jesus’ name means “he who will come to save and to give eternal life.” He has many other names, such as “Creator” and “Only Begotten Son,” that tell of his good deeds and what he represents. Through his deeds and his ministry, Jesus is known by more than two hundred names. The following examples discuss a few of them.

Alpha and Omega

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Rev. 22:13; see also 3 Ne. 9:18).

Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, just as A is the first letter in our alphabet. Alpha means “the first” or “the beginning.” Omega is the last letter in the Greek alphabet, as Z is in our alphabet. Omega means “the last of any series,” or “the end.” When you put the two words, Alpha and Omega, together, they mean from the beginning to the end, or from the first to the last. Jesus as “Alpha and Omega” was from the beginning, and will be at the end in all things; he is eternal.

Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:14; see also Alma 5:38).

Why is Jesus known by the name of “Good Shepherd” instead of simply “Shepherd”?

When the Savior lived upon the earth, sheepherding was a common occupation. There were three kinds of people who became shepherds. One kind of person became a shepherd because his father was one; his father taught him as he grew up.

A second kind of person became a shepherd because he loved sheep and wanted to learn how to be a shepherd. While he worked and learned, he received food and a place to sleep and was sometimes paid with a gift of a sheep or two.

The third kind of person became a shepherd solely for the money. Known as a hireling shepherd, when his day’s work was done, he went home. If during his working hours there was danger, he fled in fear of his own safety, leaving the sheep unattended and without a leader.

The first two kinds of shepherds were called good shepherds because they never left their sheep unattended, even at the risk of their own lives. They guided the sheep along rocky paths and walked in front of the sheep to make certain the paths were safe. They led them to the green pastures where they could feed. Jesus was that kind of a shepherd—a Good Shepherd—to all mankind. He gave his life for us, and if we follow him, he will lead us to eternal life.

Lamb of God

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29; see also Alma 7:14).

Baby sheep are called lambs. Lambs are known to be gentle creatures. They are pure and innocent, doing no harm to anyone.

When a person is called a lamb, it means that he is pure and innocent, gentle and kind.

In the Old Testament, a lamb was used as a sacrifice, or an offering to God, for the forgiveness of sins. Other animals were used as sacrificial animals, but a lamb was the first and most often used. (See Gen. 4:4.)

Jesus is known as the Lamb of God because he was Heavenly Father’s perfect offering for our sins (see John 1:29). He had no faults or blemishes. He had a pure heart—he was innocent, gentle, kind, and humble, and he did no harm to anyone. He was without sin.

Physician

They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick (Matt. 9:12; see also Moro. 8:8).

When the Pharisees asked Jesus’ disciples why he was eating with publicans and sinners, Jesus himself answered: “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matt. 9:12). Why do you think that Jesus would refer to himself as a physician?

Physicians are trained to find out what is wrong with an ill person. They can prescribe medicine and treatment for the person and tell him what to do to help recover from illness.

Physicians promise to aid the ill and the injured and to not turn away in disgust from those who seek help. They promise to train others in the art of healing.

Jesus healed people. He healed the lame, the blind, and the leper. He also healed people who were sick with sin. He did not turn away in disgust, but looked at the sinner as a sufferer needing the healing power of grace, love, and forgiveness. He suffered mightily for repentant sinners so that they might be forgiven if they would truly repent. The people who believed in him and repented would be able to live with him and Heavenly Father forever.

Illustrated by Mark Robison