The Many Names of God –

Names of Jesus – Part 9

Revelation 19:11-13, Faithful and True
Revelation 22:16, Bright and Morning Star
Isaiah 42:1-7, 49:1-6, 52:13-15, 53:1-12, The servant Messiah

More Names of God

Copyright information, disclaimers, and sponsors
Return to homepage

Revelation 19:11-13, Faithful and True (3/19/2009)

I was joking around with a friend about his funeral. He said if there was one word he wanted said at his funeral, it was "faithful." I could say that. I have known him for a long time, and he has been a faithful church member, a faithful Bible student, and a faithful friend. "Faithfulness" is a characteristic that is highly valued not only in the church, but in nearly every society and culture we have ever heard of.

Jesus is faithful and true. "Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our burdens bear? Precious Savior, still our refuge! Take it to the Lord in prayer."

The white horse doesn't happen to be a symbol of faithfulness, however. For those of you who (like me) have never owned a horse, congratulations! Horses are extremely high maintenance, even more so than indoor cats. They need special diets, regular exercise, and hours of care every day. Only kings and military leaders (and the very wealthy) could afford to ride horses. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, he rode a young donkey. He didn't want to be seen as a military Messiah, but rather as a humble, servant Messiah. After the resurrection, the risen Christ rides out on a horse – King and Conqueror.

Revelation 22:16, Bright and Morning Star (3/20/2009)

Last fall I planted some crocus bulbs near the front door, and now they are in full bloom. The weekend before last I was at Ghost Ranch with friends, and as we came out of the dining hall we saw the glorious evening star. Some things are just so bright and beautiful that we use them as images of the brightest and most beautiful person we know, Jesus Christ. Do you remember this children's song?

And just in case you are a practical person who isn't interested in flowers, stars, or children's songs, this title also hearkens back to the Messianic title, "Star out of Jacob" (Numbers 24:17).

Isaiah 42:1-7, 49:1-6, 52:13-15, 53:1-12, The servant Messiah (3/21/2008)

I would like to say that I especially planned today's scripture to be appropriate for Good Friday; however, that would not be true. It is a coincidence. Or is it?

The second important motif in Messianic prophecy is that of the suffering Servant. The idea of the Servant seems to flicker between a single person and the nation of Israel, although today, and in these particular scriptures, the Servant is clearly to be understood as a unique person. The Servant will bring about justice and will ensure that distant lands are filled with the light of God. After suffering and a sacrificial death, the Servant will have a life of joy, knowing that he has brought about the forgiveness of the many people for whom he has prayed.

Jesus made explicit claim to be the Servant not only in the manner of His suffering and death, which we remember today, but also earlier in his ministry. He gave only His fulfillment of the Servant prophecies (see below) in answer to the questions John sent from his prison cell (Matthew 11, Luke 7). In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus read from Isaiah 61: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free, and to announce the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:16-22). No wonder that the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed upon him! Note that Mark says bluntly that His listeners were amazed and offended (Mark 6), while Luke, as is his custom, puts the best possible face on Jesus' reception.

More Names of God
Names of God - Introduction
Sacred Names - Part 1
Sacred Names - Part 2
Other Names - Part 1
Other Names - Part 2
Other Names - Part 3
Names of Jesus - Part 1
Names of Jesus - Part 2
Names of Jesus - Part 3
Names of Jesus - Part 4
Names of Jesus - Part 5
Names of Jesus - Part 6
Names of Jesus - Part 7
Names of Jesus - Part 8
Names of Jesus - Part 9
Names of the Spirit

Copyright 2009, 2011 by Regina L. Hunter. All rights reserved. This page has been prepared for the web site by RPB.

Opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the author, Regina Hunter, and may or may not be shared by the sponsors or the Bible-study participants. Thanks to the Holy Spirit for any useful ideas presented here, and thanks to all the readers for their support and enthusiasm. All errors are, of course, the sole responsibility of the author.

Our Sponsors:

St. John's United Methodist Church, "Transforming Lives Through Christ."
2626 Arizona NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

St. John's Music Ministries now has a YouTube channel, bringing you free concerts and choral music. Check it out!

Traditional worship services are held Sundays at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Casual worship services are held Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Jazz Vespers are held monthly on the second Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. St. John's feels especially called to the worship of God and to the service of our neighbors through our music program.

Storm Dragon Software^TM

Ducks in a Row, Inc.

This website is supported in part by the generosity of Mrs. J. Jordan.