“Which of Jesus’ names should I take upon myself this week?” Different names emphasize different aspects of His character.
Study what Jesus Christ is by exploring what each of His names means to you personally.
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd
- Jesus is the Lamb of God
- Jesus is the High Priest of good things
- Jesus is (this seemed so clear and then evaporated as I tried to write it down)
- Jesus is faithful and true
A few years ago, I had a life-changing experience during a sacrament meeting in our home ward in Arizona. As the sacrament prayer indicated our willingness to “take upon [ourselves] the name of [Jesus Christ],” the Holy Ghost reminded me that Jesus has many names. This question then came to my heart: “Which of Jesus’s names should I take upon myself this week?”
Three names came to my mind, and I wrote them down. Each of those three names contained Christlike attributes that I wanted to develop more fully. In the week that followed, I focused on those three names and tried to embrace their corresponding attributes and characteristics. Since that time, I’ve continued to ask that question as part of my personal worship: “Which of Jesus’s names should I take upon myself this week?” Answering that question and striving to develop the related Christlike attributes has blessed my life.
One simple way we get to know someone is by learning their name. It has been said that “a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Have you ever had the experience of calling someone by the wrong name or forgetting their name? My wife, Alexis, and I have, on occasion, called one of our children “Lola.” Unfortunately, as you may have guessed, Lola is our dog! For better or worse, forgetting someone’s name communicates to that person that you probably don’t know them very well.
Every parent of more than one child has experienced this. I notice that the worst instances happen when I am frustrated with their behavior or in a hurry.
Jesus knew and called people by name. To ancient Israel, the Lord said, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” On Easter morning, Mary’s witness of the resurrected Christ was solidified when Jesus called her by name. Likewise, God called Joseph Smith by name in answer to his prayer of faith.
“Thou art mine” may be the most powerful words anyone could ever hear from Christ.
Just as Jesus knows each of us by name, one way we can come to better know Jesus is by learning His many names. Like the names of Israel and Peter, many of Jesus’s names are titles that help us understand His mission, purpose, character, and attributes. As we come to know Jesus’s many names, we will come to better understand His divine mission and His selfless character. Knowing His many names also inspires us to become more like Him—to develop Christlike attributes that bring joy and purpose to our lives.
Concerning Jesus’s many names, President Nelson said, “Study everything Jesus Christ is by prayerfully and vigorously seeking to understand what each of His various titles and names means personally for you.”
This might be a good way give me focus to my prayers—focusing on a name of Christ each day.
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
- Jesus knows His sheep, “calleth his own sheep by name,” and, as the Lamb of God, gave His life for His sheep.
- Jesus is the High Priest of Good Things to Come.
- He is the Same, Yesterday, Today, and Forever.
- Consistency is a Christlike attribute. Jesus always did His Father’s will, and His arm is constantly outstretched to save, help, and heal us.
- Jesus is the Holy One of Israel.
- Jesus’s life was a pattern of holiness. As we follow Jesus, we can become a holy one in Israel.
- He is Faithful and True.
- Don’t ever give up on Jesus—He will never give up on you!
Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus wants for us to know Him because His is the only name under heaven whereby we can be saved. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—no one can return to the Father except by Him. Jesus is the only way! For that reason, Jesus beckons, “Come unto me,” “Follow me,” “Walk with me,” and “Learn of me.”
With all my heart, I bear witness of Jesus Christ—that He lives, that He loves you, and that He knows you by name. He is the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Shield, our Refuge, and our Deliverer. He is the Light which Shineth in Darkness. He is our Savior and our Redeemer. He is the Resurrection and the Life. My earnest desire is that you will come to know Jesus by His many names and that you will become like Him as you exemplify His divine attributes in your life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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