Do you call yourself a different name? If so, what image are you projecting to others? Jesus called Himself different names for different purposes. Grab your magnifying glass and, with careful observation, can you discern why Jesus calls Himself different names?

1. While on earth, Jesus called Himself these names. What were the names and what do you perceive? Hint: who would recognize these names (i.e. Gentiles or Jews)?

"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" --then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." (Matt 9:6; Mark 2:9-11, NASB)

Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the chief corner stone;
This came about from the Lord,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?" (Matt 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17, NASB)

Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. (John 6:32, NASB)

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." (John 8:58, NASB)

So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7, NASB)

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. (John 10:11, NASB)

2. Most Jews thought Jesus the Messiah was a military Savior. What do you observe and conclude?

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (John 8:12, NASB)

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25, NASB)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6, NASB)

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser." (John 15:1, NASB)

3. The apostle John sees the resurrected Jesus in heaven. Observe carefully the names Jesus calls Himself. These names and titles are not mentioned while Jesus is on earth. Why? What is Jesus saying? Does this affect your view of Jesus – do you see Him as a friend?

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, (Rev 1:17, NASB)

and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (Rev 1:18, NASB)

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: (Rev 2:1, NASB)

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this: (Rev 2:12, NASB)

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: (Rev 2:18, NASB)

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: "I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." (Rev 3:1, NASB)

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: (Rev 3:7, NASB)

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: (Rev 3:14, NASB)

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." (Rev 22:16, NASB)