Guide 14

The All Sufficient Christ

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

The name Jesus means "Savior" (see Matthew 1:21, margin). This was the name given to Christ by the angel before He was born. The disciples addressed Jesus simply as "Master." This term of respect is the same as "Rabbi" or "Teacher." They also called him "Lord." By the unbeliever who doubted His claims, He was referred to as "Jesus, the son of Joseph." Those who were convinced of His divine nature alluded to him as "Christ" or "Messiah." In this lesson, we will consider the many names and offices of Christ.

There are many names in the Old and New Testament that refer to Christ, suggesting the all-sufficiency of the Lord Jesus (see Isaiah 9:6) as well as His character and work as humanity's Savior. Jesus speaks to men and women of all races and temperaments by His many-sided appeals.

A careful thinker has put it this way:

To the artist, He is the One altogether lovely.
To the architect, He is the Chief Corner Stone.
To the astronomer, He is the Sun of Righteousness.
To the baker, He is the Living Bread.
To the banker, He is the Hidden Treasure.
To the biologist, He is the Life.
To the builder, He is the Sure Foundation.
To the Carpenter, He is the Door.
To the doctor, He is the Great Physician.
To the educator, He is the Great Teacher.
To the engineer, He is the New and Living Way.
To the farmer, He is the Sower and the Lord of the Harvest.
To the florist, He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
To the geologist, He is the Rock of Ages.
To the horticulturist, He is the True Vine.

To the judge, He is the Righteous Judge, the Judge of all men.
To the juror, He is the Faithful and True Witness.
To the jeweler, He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the lawyer, He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the newspaper man, He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
To the oculist, He is the Light of the Eyes.
To the philanthropist, He is the Unspeakable Gift.
To the philosopher, He is the Wisdom of God.
To the preacher, He is the Word of God.
To the sculptor, He is the Living Stone.
To the servant, He is the Good Master.
To the statesman, He is the Desire of All Nations.
To the student, He is the Incarnate Truth.
To the theologian, He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
To the toiler, He is the Giver of Rest.
To the sinner, He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
To the Christian, He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer, and Lord.
—Selected.

In this lesson, we will observe how completely adequate is Jesus' power and authority. His right to the position of Elder Brother, Savior, and Lord of mankind is absolutely unchallenged, as we will discover.