Jesus once asked His disciples a question that still echoes into our lives today: “Whom say ye that I am?” Perhaps we’d ask it this way: “Who do you call Him?” The names we use for Jesus—Savior, Lord, Father, Shepherd, Friend—often reveal more than what we believe; they reveal the depth of our relationship with Him. This devotional explores how knowing His names can lead us into knowing His heart.
Scripture Focus: Matthew 16:15–16
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
If someone asked you to describe Jesus in one word, what would you say?
Would you call Him Savior because He rescued you? Lord because you’ve surrendered your life to Him? Father because you’ve experienced His love? Shepherd because you’ve learned to trust His leading?
Or would you simply say, “He’s God”?
The first name that comes to your heart may reveal more than what you believe—it may reveal the depth of your relationship with Him.
When Jesus asked His disciples, “Whom say ye that I am?” He wasn’t conducting a survey. He wasn’t interested in public opinion or the latest rumors circulating through Jerusalem. He wanted a personal answer from those who had walked with Him.
Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
It wasn’t someone else’s confession.
It was his own.
That same question reaches across the centuries and into our hearts today.
Perhaps we’d ask it in modern language:
“Who is He to you? Who do you call Him?”
I’ve often thought about the different names my husband answers to.
To me, he’s my husband.
To our children, he’s Dad.
To our grandchildren, he’s Pop-Pop.
To our church family, he’s Pastor.
To lifelong friends, he’s Gary.
None of those names are incorrect. Every one of them reflects a different relationship.
The same is true with God.
Scripture reveals Him as Lord, Savior, Father, Shepherd, Redeemer, King, Master, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, El Shaddai, and many other beautiful names. Each one reveals another aspect of His character.
Yet the names we naturally use in prayer often reveal how we relate to Him.
Do we approach Him only as a distant, all-powerful God?
Or have we discovered the privilege of crying, “Abba, Father,” a relationship marked by love, trust, and closeness?
The deeper our relationship grows, the more personal those names become.
There’s a significant difference between recognizing someone’s name and actually knowing them.
Many people know about Jesus.
They know the Christmas story.
They know He died on the cross.
They know He performed miracles.
But knowing facts isn’t the same as knowing the Savior.
Jesus said,
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:14)
That’s relationship.
His names become deeply meaningful when we’ve experienced them.
He isn’t merely the Savior.
He’s my Savior.
He isn’t merely the Shepherd.
He’s my Shepherd.
He isn’t merely the Comforter.
He’s the One who comforted me when no one else could.
The longer we walk with Him, the more we discover that every one of His names tells part of His story, and part of ours.
Our deepest relationships often become most obvious during life’s hardest moments.
When fear comes…
When grief overwhelms us…
When the diagnosis isn’t what we hoped…
When the future feels uncertain…
Who do you call?
Many of us instinctively reach for a family member or trusted friend.
Spiritually, our first response reveals much about where our confidence rests.
Psalm 46 reminds us,
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The God we’ve learned to trust in peaceful seasons becomes the God we instinctively call upon in difficult ones.
When we truly know who He is, we know who to call.
As this journey comes full circle, we’re reminded that God’s names are not merely titles to memorize.
They are invitations to worship.
The psalmist declared,
“Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.” (Psalm 113:2)
Why?
Because every name points us back to His unchanging character.
He is still Savior.
Still Shepherd.
Still Father.
Still Redeemer.
Still Lord.
Still faithful.
The more intimately we know Him, the more naturally praise flows from our hearts.
His name is no longer just something we speak.
It’s Someone we love.
The names we use for Jesus reveal more than His identity—they often reveal the depth of our relationship with Him. As we grow closer to Him, His names become personal because we experience His character firsthand.
Spend a few quiet moments with the Lord today and ask yourself:
“Who do I most often call Him, and why?”
Then make a list of the names of Jesus that have become meaningful in your own walk with Him. Beside each name, write one way He has revealed Himself to you through that truth.
Finish by thanking Him, not only for His many names, but for the privilege of knowing Him personally.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your many names. Thank You for being our Savior, Shepherd, Father, Redeemer, Lord, and Friend. Forgive us for the times we’ve known about You without truly pursuing a deeper relationship with You. Draw us closer each day until our lives reflect the One we call Lord. May our answer to Jesus’ question come from a heart that has walked with You, trusted You, and experienced Your faithfulness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The way you live should reflect the One you call Lord.
Anchored in Him. Shining His Light.
— Thee Anchor & Light
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