The four gospels have their distinct focuses. Matthew’s gospel gives many teachings of Jesus through his own words. In contrast, Mark’s gospel shows more what Jesus did through his actions. Meanwhile, Luke’s gospel seems to give us a comprehensive account of the life of Jesus. These three gospels share many same stories and teachings of Jesus. These three gospels can be called more biographical. But John’s gospel dives right into the question of who Jesus is without the infancy narrative. It is more theological and thematic.

Beginning from the first chapter, we find different titles of Jesus: The Word, the Light, the Life, the Only Begotten Son, the Lamb of God, the Messiah (or Christ), Rabbi, The Prophet, the Bread from heaven, and the Holy One of God. You may find more.

All these titles came from the encounters with Jesus. None of them came from a study of theology. They are from either the mouth of Jesus himself or first-hand witnesses and disciples of Jesus. Jesus demonstrated his titles through the miraculous signs and wonders such as turning water into wine at the Wedding at Cana and miraculously feeding the five thousand. And the witnesses and disciples discovered who Jesus was in their life situations and through his public ministry. The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well shows how her recognition and understanding develop – Jesus was just a Jew at the beginning, but, at the end of the story, she realized he is the Messiah. And this Messiah is not a distant or ignoring deity but a person who knows my life and my heart. He exactly knew how many husbands and men she had gone through!

The fact that those titles of Jesus were from firsthand human experiences and encounters suggests that we should act on these titles of Jesus. In other words, these titles are alive in our lives, and we can also discover and experience them. Then, it also means unless we exercise our faith in daily life, we will not see Jesus. When I am in the darkness of life, I must invite him as light and act on his guidance. Only then I see his light. If he is the true light, he will enlighten our minds and hearts. And he does! When I famish in my spiritual life, I should go to him as the Bread of Life. I must act on the Eucharistic faith. If he is true Bread, he will nourish us. And he does!

Probably you heard many titles of Jesus. But do you act on them? The titles of Jesus are not for calling him. Instead, they direct us on how to invite and find him in our life situations.