TEXT: Isaiah 9:6-7 (Read vv. 1-7)
READING: Luke 2:1-20
SUBJ: The names of Jesus as they appear in this text in addition to those with which we are quite familiar.
AIM: That we might consider the scope of His rule and reign and the ways He is presented to us in accordance with this text.
INTR: We rejoice at the reading of the account of the birth of our Lord Jesus in Luke 2. But we would pursue the roles that are indicated in these names that were prophesied of Him and note that these things have all been realized of Him in both our experience and in fact of Scripture.
1. We are certainly aware of the prophesied names: Immanuel (God with us, Isaiah 7:14) and Jesus (Savior, Luke 1:31).
2. Here we are told that His name shall identify the nature of His reign and so, we would pursue some thoughts regarding these things.
3. We would then look at each of these and seek to meditate upon them with the aim of being subject to Him in every respect.
THESIS: At every thought of the Gospel, we must be connected both to the eternal promise of God and the accomplishment of it in everything we see and know of Christ our Lord. In remembering His birth, we remember that He is our salvation.
I. Born and Given
1. The fact that He came by way of human birth although of divine conception points to being born to us.
2. He was indeed the Seed of the woman and His descent of Mary through David is duly noted.
3. The Son given may be taken in two regards:
1) We see first: 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. (John 3:16).
2) We read that in keeping with the account in Luke, He often referred to Himself as the Son of Man.
4. This child, born to the virgin, this Son, who is given will bear the government of this present world and beyond.
II. The names here given
1. Wonderful or Wonderful Counsellor.
1) We would note here that many hold that this should be connected to the word “Counsellor.” This being the case He would be called “Wonderful Counsellor.”
2) In either case we can certainly relate to the word Wonderful.
3) The thought of His majesty certainly is suggested to us in Isaiah 6. And we are made to marvel as we consider His being and existence.
4) But then we marvel as well as we consider the wisdom that is His and the counsel that He gave – “repent and believe the Gospel.” For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16). And see also: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30).
5) The world marveled at His wisdom, and He turned it all upside down.
2. The Mighty God.
1) We ordinarily think of The Mighty God as being a more general reference to God and to the ability of God in general. The little baby is the mighty God – we see His works from creation to revelation and beyond.
2) But we are reminded of such authority as He exercised over the elements and even the claim that He made to Pilate as to power and authority.
3) In all the ways we are made to see the Might of God, Jesus is given the Son in that He and the Father are one.
3. The Everlasting Father
1) We are reminded that Jesus taught is to pray, “Our Father…” in identifying with us. And He directed Mary to tell His brethren that He would ascend to “My Father, and Your Father...”
2) But then we see the reference to Jesus as Father in, And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:13). And we are reminded that He spoke of “All the Father hath given me…”
3) But what is so precious to us here is that we may come to Jesus as His children in that He is here called the “Everlasting Father.”
4. The Prince of Peace.
1) He is properly called a Prince because of whose Son He is.
2) And we are reminded of the prophecy: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5).
3) By right of descendance and by the claims of redemption He is the administrator of peace. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20). The fruit of the Spirit is, Love, Joy, Peace!
4) The One designated to bring and administer Peace with God and the peace of God – “My peace I leave with you.”
III. No end to His Reign upon the throne of David
1. His government can only increase.
2. We further read: Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psalms 89:14).
3. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts.
