In every group of people, there seems to be one that always stands out.
Usually for good reasons, but not unusual to find one branded X for other
obvious reasons. But good or bad, this one stands out. And one quality of all
is that they go by just one name, no last name needed. “Go see Big John, he’ll
tow you home,” and no problem finding Big John in the shop. How many Rusty’s
have you known who didn’t have red hair? Among bikers how many do you know
named Tiny, that are just the opposite? My first friend Tiny was in high
school, 6’5” and 280 pounds. But I also have friend named Shorty who really is,
can’t miss him in a crowd, of course he is hard to find by his height. How many
license plate frames have had something to do with the princess inside, only to
find she was the frog that got kissed. Princess Di they ain’t. I used to play
basketball with a guy named Stick, my skinny arms were bigger than his skinny
body. A friend in college was named Big Don, all 6’9’'” and 360 pounds, better
than a gun we would call him, and knowing him kept us out of trouble. But his
Hemi Cuda kept him constantly in it. Legend has it the car was built around
him...the 5 minute exit or entry exercise could confirm. Beaver Cleaver even
had friend named Whitey, before it took on racial overtones. Black Bart the
pirate, and anyone called Blackie usually meant he was a bad dude. Remember
Rerun, you had to look twice to see him all? In baseball just mention Willie,
Mick, or The Duke, and you know we mean Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Duke
Snider. Who doesn’t know who Buckwheat is, but mention Billy Thomas, most draw
a blank.
Many today are known by just their nicknames, A-Rod, Mr. October, The
Governator, The Shoe, OJ, Pistol Pete, and The Brown Bomber-all sports legends.
But also in crime, mention the Birdman of Alcatraz and you see Burt Lancaster’s
face, not the Robert Stroud who was a pervert, and nothing like the man in the
movie. Son of Sam we know, who is David Berkowitz? The Teflon Don, John
Gotti. Who else but Elvis could be called King? Ol’ Blue Eyes, Satchmo, Pearl,
and Snoop Dog. How many would know him by his real name Calvin Broadus?
Mention Oprah, Rush, and Geraldo we all know who you mean. But for most the
nickname was given in respect, with few exceptions, and how we remember or know
the person. No nickname, no fame. If you have to mention last names, it loses
the effect. Sinatra will always be Ol’ Blue Eyes, except on his arrect record,
as Francis Albert Sinatra. The law has no place for nicknames on public
records, but does have AKA, also known as. For Clarence Rutherford would you
look under Lumpy? D or R for Reagan, Dutch or Ronald? How many know someone
named Sonny, traditionally a nickname for the first born son in an Italian
family? Bubba, same in Texas. Only a Top Gear fan would know Captain Slow,
only an old movie fan would know who The Man of a 1000 Faces is, and not confuse
him with his son Lon Chaney, Jr. And maybe the most famous baby of all time,
most famous orphan, and Man of Steel Superman, we know his AKA as Clark Kent,
but his real parents called him Kal-El. Superman rescues people, who the heck
is Kal-El? So maybe there is more to a name, or nickname, or how we got them
than meets the eye. Or ear.
He is referred to as “the man from Galilee,” “the Nazarene,” “Son of God,”
Son of Man,” “Master, savior, and Lamb of God.” In fact there are almost 200
names given to Jesus Christ that he is referred to in the Bible. From “I am,”
to “the rock,” to “wonderful counselor,” just mention any of them and you know
of who we speak. We know his name, but do you know the man? Do you know him
personally enough to just call him Jesus? You see all the other names describe
him, just like nicknames do for people today. But his name is Jesus, and no
other name under heaven and earth has the power to save. And sadly no other
name is used in vain. There is power in the name of Jesus, but only when used
under the power of the holy spirit. Some religions will go as far as teacher or
rabbi, some go as far as the son of God, but yet fall short of recognizing him
as the only true son of God. The Begotten One, they refer to an historic Jesus,
not the deity of him as Christ. His mother was told to name him Jesus, yet
others knew him as Immanuel. God with us. We call him Lord or Master. But my
favorite and most personal is he calls us friend, so among his many AKA’s we
find the descriptions of him, and also form our relationship with him. But to
know him personally we must confess he is Lord, and the only true son of God.
He is all the other things he is referred to in the Bible, but knowing him
personally makes it all real. Who you call him, tells much about where you are
with him. I choose to be a friend of Jesus....
So there are names and then there are names. Some we worship because of
their athletic feats, political feats, or physical features. Only one, Jesus
Christ is all he said he is. Who came to save us from our sin. Whose name is
like no other under the earth or above. At whose name every knee will bow
eternally, saved in worship in heaven, unsaved in agony and who they rejected in
hell. No other name...and he knows you and yours personally. Can I get an
amen? Jesus knows me!
One name wonders, we all know of one, or are called by a nickname. My name
Michael means gift of God, and it takes God to differentiate between all of us
Michaels out there, and yet he does. Maybe that is why we will all have anew
name in heaven, reserved just for us. Kal-El, Clark Kent, Superman...the same
man but known by each person differently. Peter was asked by Jesus,”who do you
say I am?” He answered “the Christ,” passing the final exam for eternal life in
heaven, Jesus telling him “you have answered correctly.” So here is your final
exam, open book if needed, no trick questions and it must come from the heart.
Who do you say Jesus is? For me 200 names are not enough to describe an
infinite God, so I’ll just call him friend. My friend, my best friend. Man’s
best friend. All in 5 letters-Jesus. There are names, and then there are
names.....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
Advocate
Almighty God
Alpha and Omega
Amen, The
Ancient of Days
Anointed
Anointed One
Author
Author of Eternal Salvation
Beginning
Beginning and the Ending
Begotten
Beloved
Beloved Son
Jesus
God
Christ
Beloved Son of God
Blessed of God
Bread of Life
Bridegroom
Bright and Morning Star
Captain of Man's Salvation
Captain of Our Salvation
Carpenter
Carpenter's Son
Chief Cornerstone
Chosen
Chosen of God
Christ
Christ Child
Christ of God
Christ the Lamb
Comforter
Consolation of Israel
Cornerstone
Counselor
Creator
Creator of All Things
Deliverer
Divine Son
Door of the Sheep
Emmanuel
End of the Law
Endless
Eternal
Eternal Father
Eternal God
Eternal Head
Eternal Judge
Eternal Judge of Quick and Dead
Everlasting Father
Example
Exemplar
Faithful and True
Father
Father of Heaven and Earth
Finisher
Finisher of faith
First and the Last
Firstborn
Firstfruits
Forerunner
God
God of Abraham
God of Isaac
God of Israel
God of Jacob
God of Thy Father
God of Whole Earth
God's Anointed
God's Holy Child Jesus
Good Shepherd
Governor
Great I AM
Great God
Great Shepherd
Head of Every Man
Head of the Body
Head of the Church
Healer
Heir of All Things
Holy
Holy Child
Holy Messiah
Holy One
Holy One of Israel
Holy One of Jacob
I AM
Image of God
Immanuel
Jehovah
Jesus
Jesus Christ
Jesus of Galilee
Jesus of Nazareth
Joseph's Son
Judge
Judge of Quick and Dead
Just One
Just, The
King
King of Israel
King of Kings
King of Zion
King of the Jews
Lamb
Lamb of God
Life, the
Light of the World
Light, the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Living Bread
Living Stone
Living Water
Lord
Lord from Heaven
Lord God
Lord God Almighty
Lord God of Hosts
Lord Jehovah
Lord Jesus
Lord of All
Lord of Dead
Lord of Glory
Lord of Hosts
Lord of Living
Lord of Lords
Lord of the Sabbath
Lord Omnipotent
Lord our Righteousness
Lord's Christ
Maker
Man of Counsel
Man of Holiness
Master
Mediator
Meek and Lowly
Messenger of the Covenant
Messiah
Mighty God
Mighty One
Mighty One of Israel
Mighty One of Jacob
Minister
Most High God
Nazarene
Offspring of David
One Body
Only Begotten
Only Begotten of the Father
Only Begotten Son
Our Passover
Physician
Power of God
Prince
Prince of Life
Prince of Peace
Prophet
Prophet of Nazareth
Propitiation for Sins of Whole World
Rabbi
Redeemer
Redeemer of Israel
Redeemer of the World
Resurrection and the Life
Revealer
Righteous Judge
Righteous Man
Rock, the
Rock of Heaven
Root of Jesse
Sacrifice, the
Savior
Savior of Israel
Savior of the World
Second Comforter
Seed of Abraham
Seed of David
Seed of the Woman
Servant of Jehovah
Servant of the Lord
Shepherd
Son
Son of Abraham
Son of David
Son of God
Son of Man
Son of Mary
Son of Righteousness
Son of the Blessed
Son of the Eternal Father
Son of the Everlasting God
Son of the Highest
Son of the Living God
Son of the Most High God
Spiritual Rock
Stem of Jesse
Teacher Come from God
True Vine
Truth, the
Unchangeable One
Way, the
Well Beloved
Wisdom of God
Wonderful
Word of Life
Word, the
Worthy