Good News of Great Joy – Study #5
Luke 2:10-11 KNEEL – The Promised Sovereign One
This week’s teaching focused on the PERSON whom God the Father sent, the “incomparable, anointed” One, and the “incarnate, sovereign” One
As you begin this study together, ask the Spirit of God to bring about a greater appreciation of the Person of the Christ, the Lord.
GETTING STARTED
What’s in a name?
Each year, 130 million babies are born. In most cases, they receive a name. Significance? In an article entitled “Names and Personal Identity” https://www.behindthename.com/articles/3 H. Edward Deluzain notes that “Despite their universality, there is a great deal of difference from one culture to another in how names are given. Regardless of when, why, or how often it happens, though, the giving and receiving of a name is an event of major importance.” Citing many examples from a variety of cultures, Deluzain argues that “The sense of personal identity and uniqueness that a name gives us is at the heart of why names interest us and why they are important to us as individuals and to our society as a whole.” In short, our name can (and perhaps should) function as a life-shaping influence.
Does your name have significance? Did your parents intend that to be so? What about how you named your child(ren)? What are some of your “family” stories about this?
IN THE WORD
It is clear from New Testament Scripture that the designations which were to be conferred upon God the Son when he was born in humanity carried tremendous significance. They both described the boy in the manger and defined what his life would be about. Take some time to explore the bold type questions together.
JESUS – How was this name given? Where did it come from? Who was to make sure it was conferred? And, what did it mean? (SEE Matthew 1:18-25, also Luke 1:28-31)
Additional Info: “Jesus” is an Anglicized form of the Greek name Yesous found in the New Testament. Yesous represents the Hebrew Bible name Yeshua, which occurs as “Jeshua” in English Bibles (Ezra 2:2; Neh 7:7). In Medieval English the “J” was pronounced as a “Y.” “Yehoshua” Yeshua, in turn, is a shortened form of the name Yehoshua (“Joshua” in English Bibles). Yehoshua is a form of the Hebrew verb yasha which means to deliver, save, or rescue. Thus, linguistically, the name “Yehoshua—Yeshua—Jesus” conveys the idea that God (YHVH) delivers or saves, eventually through his servant Messiah, who bears God’s name.
CHRIST – How was this name attached to Jesus? (SEE Luke 2:8-11) What this a name or a description of who the born child was?
“Christ” (Christos) is from the Hebrew word “mashiach”, or in Greek “messias” (we have morphed this into the English “Messiah”). It’s precise definition is “one who is anointed.” In ancient Middle Eastern practice, rulers and kings were “anointed with oil” (an honor and a refreshment) to signal to others a designation of leadership and authority. High Priests were so anointed. Israel’s kings Saul, David, Solomon all were anointed, signaling God’s choice and blessing to rule.
Such anointing was often associated with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Realizing this, how did Jesus describe what the “anointed One” was to do? See Luke 4:17-21
LORD – what does it mean that Christ Jesus is also called LORD? (SEE Luke 19;31, John 13:13)
The word is from the Greek kurios, meaning someone with authority, control, power over others. It was a title of respect and honor..
From the following passages, why is it important that we recognize Jesus as LORD?
What did Israel need to realize? Acts 2:29-36 (Peter speaking)
What did Cornelius and his household need to realize? Acts 10:34-43 (Peter speaking)
How do we come to acknowledge Jesus in this way? 1 Corinthians 12:3
What is often denied by people? (Jude 1:3-4)
What have you learned about the name of the One born and laid in a manger? Why is your discovery important to you?
MY LIFE – OUR MISSION
Savior. Anointed. Sovereign. The Lord Jesus Christ. One might suppose that such a special individual would not take a back seat to anyone. Yet here is the surprise. Finish by reading together Philippians 1:1-11. What position did this Person willingly take, at the first, in order to bring us to God? How would you describe what He did? Are you tempted to kneel in worship before Him?
His example of ___________________ (you fill in the blank) is our model. When we follow Him, we take the position of a servant of others, in order to help “connect people to life-defining relationships in Christ.” As you prepare to pray, is there someone the Spirit brings to mind whom you might humbly love and serve, in order to help them see who our Savior really is?