How important is a name? In one sense, it is very unimportant. Whether you are Bill, Joe, or Chris, does it make much difference? It is really just a label.
However, in another sense, it is the most important thing about a person. Let’s say I have a friend whose name is Tom. He is an electrician, is married, has 3 children, is 6 feet tall, enjoys running, and is 40 years old.
Now, if I were to ask you to tell me who my friend was, what would you say? You could say he is an electrician, and that would be true, but lacking – he is so much more than just that. Even if you were to mention all the descriptions given above, this would still not be all of who he is. There is only one description that can truly capture him – Tom. When we say his name, it represents a million (and more) different aspects of who he is all at once.
How deep can a physical relationship be if you don’t know the other person’s name? My name is Daniel. Now, you could call me Bill or Joe or Sam, and I could get used to you doing so. Communication could occur, recognition could happen, and a lot of knowledge about me could be gained. However, if you never used my true name, there would just be something missing.
So, does it really matter whether we use Jesus or Y’shua in referencing the Messiah? In one sense, I don’t think it matters at all. It definitely matters a lot more to him whether you follow His commandments. However, in my own personal experience, there seems to be something missing, even if it is very small, if I never use my savior’s given name.
There are many people who only use the name Jesus. There are also several people I know who only use the name Y’shua. Both names have been used to change people’s lives. I don’t think either should be discarded. In speech you have to favor one over the other, but not in writing. From now on, I will simply use both when I use the Messiah’s name in a blog post. Jesus/Y’shua is my savior!
An interesting thought on a name is that in using “Tom” you could be referencing any number of people and all that the name implies for them. And the feelings from someone you knew of that name could transfer to someone else you meet of the same name. Since Jesus was not a unique name I wonder if it less “what’s in a name” and “who” is behind the name.
I totally agree that it is not “what’s in a name” but rather “who” is behind the name. This is why I said that in one sense, I don’t think it matters at all. However, though that is true, if you knew my history, beliefs, struggles, hobbies, career, and friends you would know a lot about me. But if you never learned or used my name, I would feel like your knowledge was incomplete.
In the case of Jesus/Y’shua, though those names may be common in other languages, in English they almost exclusively apply to the Christ. In those areas where it is more common, perhaps adding the label ‘the Christ’ would be helpful.
Also, consider Acts 4:12 – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Granted, the name is simply a representation of something. However, even as a representation it has great power. Just think of how many mighty works have been done throughout church history ‘in the name of Jesus/Y’shua’ by those who believed in Him.