The Name
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. (KJV)
Have you ever considered the significance of the name of Jesus? Indeed His full title is Jesus Christ. Most people just think that Christ is Jesus surname.
The name of Jesus Christ is a declaration of who He is and what He has accomplished. Take Isaiah 9:6 for example. Five clear truths are established about our Lord
- Wonderful
- Counsellor
- The mighty God
- The everlasting Father
- The Prince of Peace
Take a while to meditate on the above five declarations about our Lord.
He is wonderful. This talks about His ability and desire to do amazing and incredible acts on our behalf.
He is our Counsellor, leading us and guiding us into depths of truth and love. He is the mighty God, the ever-present and all knowing. There is absolutely nothing impossible for Him.
He is the everlasting Father; to Him there is no end and no beginning.
He is the Prince of peace, bringing an instant halt to all the works of darkness and establishing peace within our hearts and souls.
Now, when Jesus came to earth God had to wrap all those powerful attributes and names into one powerful name. And guess what that name is - JESUS CHRIST
When you mention the name Jesus Christ you are calling upon all the names mentioned in Isaiah 9:6. The name of Jesus Christ is much higher than any other name on earth. Philippians says
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NIV)
Anything that has a name bows to the name of Jesus Christ. Do you know that sickness has a name? Its name is sickness. Heart disease has a name; its name is heart disease. You could go on and on.
When you consider the name of Jesus Christ in the light of Isaiah 9:6 you will begin to understand its significance. Jesus Christ is the short for all the power in the names mentioned in Isaiah 9:6.
No wonder why Peter talking in Acts 3 said
Acts 3:1-7 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer -- at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. (NIV)
Peter knew the power resident in the name of Jesus Christ. He called upon the power in the name of Jesus. Jesus Christ is both Lord and Christ
Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (NIV)
God made Jesus Lord. All the attributes, power and authority as expressed in Isaiah 9:6 belong to Jesus. Jesus Christ is more than a mere name. It is an expression of who Jesus is.
God also made Jesus the Christ. Christ means anointed one. Jesus is anointed by God to meet all your needs. He is equipped for that very purpose. Christ is not Jesus last name; it is His God-given title. The name speaks of His ministry. The name gives us access to the power of God.
Let me try and explain this with a simple analogy. Many medicines these days are made in the form of a capsule. These capsules contain all the ingredients essential for your physical healing.
The name of Jesus Christ can also be viewed as a spiritual capsule that contains everything you will ever need. Calling upon that name in the knowledge of all the authority and power it contains will force every other name (that means situation, condition and force) to bow. They must bow to the Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace who has been anointed by God.