This is the third lesson on the different names of Jesus Christ. Today we will look at Him as Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son, is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
When Isaiah wrote this, it was nearly 800 years before the birth of Christ. The Israelites were on the verge of captivity by the Assyrians. This passage was to remind them there was hope in their future. God had promised He would send a Savior to redeem His people. The titles in this verse show the character the coming Messiah would have.
The word wonderful in this passage means incomprehensible. This Messiah, coming as a baby, would cause us to be full of wonder in ways that would be unlike any other. This same word for wonderful is used by Manoah in Judges 13:18 when the angel told Manoah to name his son Samson. When Manoah asks the angel what his name was, the angel of the LORD responds, “why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” the interpretation of this question is, “why do you ask my name since it is beyond your understanding?” The way we use the word wonderful is totally different from the meaning here. Jesus is totally beyond our complete understanding.
He did so much while on earth that was beyond our understanding. His virgin birth told in Matthew 1:23 is not understood by us. We cannot understand how the Holy Spirit placed Jesus in the womb of Mary. Yet, we believe. He taught us so much that was beyond our reasoning power. He taught us to love our enemies in Luke 6:35, to do good to those who hate us, and despitefully use us in Luke 6:27-28. He demonstrated how wonderful He is not only by doing these acts but by teaching us to also think and love this way.
Luke 6:27-28 “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
The next word Counsellor was used in Biblical times as a wise king. Jesus is the wisest of all. He knows all and He will give wisdom to those who are his and asks. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him about mankind, he was there at His creation and He knows each one of us.
John 2:25 “And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
The next title is one of the few times in scripture where the name of God is applied to the Messiah. In Romans 9:5, I John 5:20, John 20:28, I Timothy 3:16, and Hebrews 1:8 the name God is used in reference to Jesus. The word mighty is defined as a champion, a warrior, strong and valiant. This name reminds God’s people that their Messiah is a strong champion working on their behalf.
The Everlasting Father is used to show Jesus the Messiah is eternal. The term Father is not used as it is with God the Father that term applies to the first person in the trinity, but He is and was from everlasting to everlasting. There is no beginning to Jesus and there is no end. His existence is owed to no one. He is the Father of eternity.
The last title given to Jesus in this verse is “the Prince of Peace.” The Hebrew expression is used to denote that the long-awaited Messiah would restore and promote peace. All throughout Israel’s history, there were periods of war. They seemed to have a roller coaster spiritual ride. They, like many Christians, were either living close to God and enjoying their blessings, or they were far from Him to the point of idolatry. As many Christians do, they would get comfortable with their relationship with God and take it for granted. It would become a religion instead of a relationship. God would try to get their attention and draw them back to himself, but just like a child who continues to pursue the wrong direction in life, something would have to happen so that they would understand their need for God. Oppression, war, and strife were things they understood very well. To think of a Messiah that would be the Prince of Peace was something they longed for. He would not be a king like other kings. Earthly kings and princes want to rule with an iron fist while conquering by the shedding of blood through war.
This Messiah as proclaimed in Luke 2:14 would be the instrument of peace. He brings peace to our hearts through the forgiveness of sins. He brings peace through the knowledge that He is in full control and there is no need to worry. There is great peace in knowing that this Messiah is my Savior. A peace that only he can give to free me from the guilt of sin. Peace to know, that I have a hope of eternity with Him. Peace to know, no matter where I go, He is there, and He is working on my behalf.
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Yes, my Jesus is “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
