We have been given a special gift at Christmas. This gift we all know of and have heard about. Jesus came to the earth as a baby, grew in favor and wisdom, died on the cross for you and me, and rose again and sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Jesus came to be a light in the darkness. The prophet saw in vision the darkness and gloom of the nation, and saw also the son that would be born to remove that darkness, and to enlighten the world.
Jesus is a gift from God. He was given to the world to save her from sin and eternal damnation and darkness. He was sent as a rich gift from God.
Act 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Eph 1:22-23
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Of all the gifts you will receive this Christmas, the gift of Jesus Christ and His salvation he brought, is by far the most precious.
I want to look at a passage of scripture in the Old Testament to really see what we received in this precious gift from God.
Jesus: The purest gift ever given
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…” Jesus was given. Given to us as the purest gift we could ever receive.
There is power in a name. In the Bible, names, and their meanings were extremely important. Today, names have lost their meaning and people really don’t think about giving their child a name that reflects that child’s character or prophetically what they will accomplish.
Jesus’ name is the most powerful name on earth or in heaven. Let’s look at this passage in Isaiah and find out more about Jesus and His name, and what an awesome gift we really have.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
“The government will be upon His shoulder…”This implies that the government, or authority will rest on Him. He shall rule. The government shall be vested in Him. He shall be a king. He will reign over all. His authority trumps all other authority.
When you think of the Child being “given” to us, and that His authority trumps all other, it gives you a sense of security, hope, and expectation because Jesus fights our battles and intercedes for us. The One who has all authority knows you inside and out. Not to condemn you, but to lift you up and win battles for you.
Romans 8:34 (NLT)
“Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”
“And His name will be called…”
1. “Wonderful…”His name, His attributes, who He is, and what He does, will be called “Wonderful.” It is separated from the ordinary. It is to excite amazement, wonder, and admiration, whether it be miraculous or not. wonderful in the dictionary means: “(adjective) inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvelous.”
I love that definition! Jesus is extremely good! Not just kind of good, or occasionally good, but extremely good all the time! Jesus is wonderful. Some synonyms are (From http://thesaurus.com): “Admirable, amazing, astonishing, astounding, awe-inspiring, awesome, brilliant, cool, divine, dynamite, enjoyable, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, groovy, incredible, magnificent, marvelous, miraculous, outstanding, peachy, phenomenal, pleasant, pleasing, prime, remarkable, sensational, stupendous, super, surprising, terrific, too much, tremendous, and wondrous.” Jesus is all that and more!
Some manuscripts combine the word “wonderful” with the word, “counselor.” All those synonyms we can place infront of the word Counselor to describe who Jesus is.
2. “Counselor…” expresses a distinct attribute, or quality. The name “counselor” here, is one of honorable rank; one who is suited to stand near princes and kings as their adviser. It is expressive of great wisdom, and of qualifications to guide and direct the human race. The Septuagint translates this phrase, ‘The angel of the mighty counsel.’ The Chaldee, ‘The God of wonderful counsel’ (Albert Barns notes on the Bible).
Jesus gives the best advise. He can bring about healing far better then any counselor on this earth. He can help us deal with any issue in our life and bring wholeness and completion. Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor!
3. “Mighty God…” Or God the mighty One. He is God the Son. Christ is God. Jesus is not a god who has no strength, no, He is a god who has all the power and might to deliver and rescue us from anything in this life. He is all powerful. There is no weakness in Him. There is nothing that is impossible with Him. He doesn’t know or ever experience defeat. He is the only true God, all other “gods” are not real and have no power. He and the Father are one. Mighty God refers to and implies both the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
4. “Everlasting Father…” How can Jesus be the Father and the Son? We have to remember that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are separate and yet all One God.
There is but one Father in the Godhead, and that is the first Person; Christ and the Father are one, and the Father is in him, and he is in the Father, and he that has seen the one has seen the other.
John 14:9 (NIV)
“Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”
Taking the word “Everlasting” and applying it to the word “Father” makes this name for Jesus even more powerful. Jesus is the Everlasting Father: He lasts for all time. He will never stop being who He is. He is all encompassing and all consuming. Jesus doesn’t know or experience the word; “Quit!” He never fails. From generation to generation God is always there and is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Jesus supplies us with everlasting provisions, He clothes us with everlasting raiment, He gives us an everlasting portion, promotes us to everlasting honor, saves us with an everlasting salvation, and giving an everlasting love towards us always.
5. “Prince of peace…” Jesus is the Prince among princes. He is supreme. Being a “prince” only happens with royalty. You can be the Prince of Whales, or one of the Princes of a country. Having the word “prince” in front of a name gives authority, special treatment, and honor.
Jesus, being the Prince of Peace means that He has all authority, honor, and power of peace. Jesus is the author of peace. Christ is a Prince.
Eze_34:24 (NKJV)
“And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.”
He is so by birth, being the King’s Son, the Son of God, and by office, power, and authority. He is called the “Prince of peace”, because he is the author of peace; just as he is said to be the “Prince of life.”
Act 3:15 (NKJV)
“And killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”
Jesus is the one who brings peace between God and man. He is our mediator.
1 Tim. 2:5 (NLT)
“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity–the man Christ Jesus.”
Jesus is our Peacemaker. He is our moderator in quarrels. If we look to Jesus when we are experiencing a hurt in a relationship, He will bring reconciliation if we swallow our pride. He is our vindicator and will bring justice.
He is the Prince of Peace in every situation. He has authority over all chaos. That is why He could calm the sea by just saying; “Peace be still.”
Mark 4:37 – 41 (NKJV)
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” and the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
This Christmas realize what you are really receiving in the gift of Jesus Christ coming as a baby. He is more then you think. As you unwrap this gift you will see more and more of all He has for you.
Luke 1:30 – 33 (CEV)
“Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
Isa 7:14-16 (KJV)
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good…”
Immanuel, God with us. We are never alone. Having God with us is better then having the best, strongest, loyalist person on earth with you. Jesus never fails. Receive the gift of Jesus today. You will be forever changed by unwrapping this precious gift.
Blessings,
Pastor Kris Belfils
Pastor Kris Belfils 