Who Do You Say I Am

Master - Lord - Son of David - Son of God - the Christ

Rabbi - Teacher - Messiah

King of the Jews

All titles of our Lord; all used by His disciples and others, whether in acknowledgement of who He was or in derision of who He claimed to be.  But there was one who simply called Him "Jesus" without any other title attached; one who probably never witnessed any miracles of His, never heard any teachings of His, never saw His compassion on those who suffered:

"Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
(Luke 23)

There is something about that most intimate moment when the thief on the cross realizes who Jesus is and what He offers that no one else can:  Jesus saves.  And in those last few moments on the cross, when the thief came just as he was - with nothing to offer but everything to gain - he was the first to call Him by the name of a friend.  No titles, simply 'Jesus'. 

"Just as I am, thou wilt receive

with welcome pardon, cleanse, relieve

because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come."

(Wm. Bradbury)