Who Are You Really Praying To? Rediscovering the Power of the Name Yeshua
If you were walking down the dusty streets of Nazareth two thousand years ago and you shouted the name "Jesus," no one would turn around. Not the disciples, not Mary, and certainly not the Messiah himself.
Why? Because that wasn't his name.
For centuries, the Western world has prayed to, sung about, and worshipped a translated figure. We have viewed the Savior through a Greek and Latin filter. But in doing so, have we lost the intimacy of knowing who He really is?
If you don't call Him by His name, can you truly say you know who you are praying to?
The Telephone Game of History
How did we get from Yeshua to Jesus? It wasn’t a conspiracy, but it was a dilution.
The Messiah was born a Hebrew, into a Hebrew family, living in a Hebrew culture. His name, given by the angel, was Yeshua (ישוע).
However, as the "Good News" spread to the Greek-speaking world, the name had to be transliterated. Since Greek lacks the "Y" and "Sh" sounds, Yeshua became Iesous. Later, when translated into Latin, it became Iesus. Finally, as English developed, the "J" sound was added, creating the name Jesus.
While the intent remained, the identity was shifted. When we stick strictly to "Jesus," we are looking at a Westernized version of a Middle Eastern King. We strip away His Jewish heritage and, in a sense, recreate Him in our own image.
Names Carry Meaning
In our modern culture, names are often just labels. But in Scripture, a name is a definition. It is a destiny.
• Jesus: Has no intrinsic meaning in English. It is simply a name.
• Yeshua: Literally means "Salvation" or "Yahweh Saves."
When Mary (Miriam) called out to her son, she wasn't just getting his attention; she was speaking his purpose into existence. Every time you say "Yeshua," you are speaking a sentence of power: God is Salvation.
When you pray to "Jesus," you are using a title. When you pray to "Yeshua," you are invoking His very mission.
The Intimacy of the Real Name
Imagine you have a best friend named Matteo. He is Italian, and his culture is deeply important to him. But because "Matteo" feels slightly foreign to your tongue, you decide to just call him "Matt."
You might love him. You might know him. But by refusing to use his real name—the name his mother whispered to him, the name he identifies with—you are keeping him at a distance. You are asking him to conform to your comfort zone rather than stepping into his reality.
Prayer is about relationship.
If you want a shallow relationship, use the translated name. But if you want to know the heart of the One you are praying to, you must acknowledge His true identity.
When you pray to Yeshua, you are:
1. Acknowledging His Lineage: You are connecting to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, not a European icon.
2. Breaking Tradition: You are stepping out of religious rote memorization and into truth.
3. Getting Personal: You are calling Him by the name His friends used.
The Challenge
It can feel strange at first. The name "Jesus" is likely woven into the tapestry of your childhood and your church life.
But I challenge you to try it.
Next time you close your eyes to pray, drop the translation. Speak to the One who walked on water. Speak to the One who healed the sick. Speak to the One who conquered the grave. Call Him by his name.
"Yeshua."
You might just find that when you start calling Him by His real name, you finally realize exactly who you have been talking to all along.
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