Jesus of Nazareth

So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

Acts 22:8*

Everybody has a small list of names they go by: first name, surname, middle name, nick name, pet name, maiden name, pen name as well as aliases (also known as “a.k.a”). It can and does get confusing so at some point, those in charge want to know your legal name.

Jesus of Nazareth was Christ’s legal name. It is the name that set Him apart from all the other Jesuses of His time. It was how friends and enemies knew Him; it was the name brought up at His trial and the name put on His death certificate. Legally, that’s who the Savior was.

Family names have been around for only around 600 years. They weren't necessary when people lived in small rural communities. If people needed to differentiate between two people with the same personal name, a by-name was added. This was a descriptive term or phrase that would set that person apart from others. The name would stick and people would be introduced with that moniker.

When Saul of Tarsus was struck down by a blinding light on the way to Damascus, he saw a vision of the celestial. Someone was up there talking to him, demanding answers for the persecution he was meeting out. Saul wanted to know who this messenger of God really was. “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,” was the reply. Saul then had no doubt who He was.

Jesus of Nazareth – the name on the accusation sign at the cross.

Jesus of Nazareth – the name the Sanhedrin had made illegal to mention.

Jesus of Nazareth – the name Stephen was executed for preaching.

Jesus of Nazareth – the name on the letters of authority that Saul carried to arrest Jesus-followers in Damascus.

Jesus of Nazareth – the newly found Lord and Savior of Paul of Tarsus.

*used a total of 17 times in Matthew through Acts