As we celebrate Jesus and thank Him for His great love toward us, we also want to proclaim that He is the name above all names, the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT) says, 'Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on the cross.'
In what ways did Jesus humble Himself?
1. By taking the form of man, even though He is God!
2. By being born in a humble setting, i.e. in a manger!
3. By being born in an obscure and poor little town!
4. By being born as a child, instead of appearing as a man!
5. By submitting as a child in a common household!
6. By waiting many years before launching into public ministry!
7. By the people He chose as His companions and His disciples!
8. By enduring hunger, thirst, and tiredness while on earth!
9. By choosing to be humiliated, mocked, and shamed!
10. By choosing to suffer and die an agonizing death on the cross!
Why He did what He did? For you and I! I mean, He could have said "No" to all the above, but He chose to go through all this! Why? To set us free and pave the way for our eternal life!
Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) says, 'Therefore God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'
Isaiah 9:1 (NLT) says, 'Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.'
The background here is that there's a huge gloom over God's people at that time. They were surrounded by their enemies who wanted to conquer, destroy, and annihilate them. But God! The Lord had promised this would not go on forever. There would come a time God's light would shine in the midst of the darkness and despair, and God would send a Savior, the Messiah, the True Light! His name is Jesus!
Isaiah 9:2-3 (NLT) says, 'The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.'
Isaiah 9:4 (NLT) says, 'For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.'
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) says, 'For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.'
You see, He didn't come as a grown-up man, or a great warrior. I mean, He could have. After all, He is God! But instead, He came as a child! And there's nothing more vulnerable and helpless than being born as a child, or as a baby!
Isaiah 9:7 (NLT) says, 'His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!'
You see, He is Sovereign! No matter how the devil tries to stop it, and no matter how humans try to stop it, the Lord God is Sovereign! He will make this happen!
His name is called 'Wonderful'
The name 'Wonderful' is 'Pele' in Hebrew, and it means 'Miraculous, Marvelous, Extraordinary'.
Indeed, who He is and what He has done for us should fill us with wonder and amazement! Who could have thought a God who is All-Powerful would do such a humbling thing just to save us? To be born as a child!
His name is called 'Counselor'
The name 'Counselor' is 'Yoes' in Hebrew, and it means 'Plan, Guide, Purpose.'
Who else does it better than Jesus to guide our lives, to give us wise counsel, and to give us purpose in our lives? Who else has a plan to save us and rescue us from this broken world? No one else but Jesus!
His name is called 'Mighty God'
The name 'Mighty God' is 'El Gibbor' in Hebrew. 'El' is the name of God, and 'Gibbor' can mean 'Powerful, Warrior, Champion, Chief, Strong, Valiant, Excellent.'
Who says Jesus is not God? He is indeed more than a prophet and a teacher. He is the God of all creation and God of all glory! He reigns in heaven, and He is worthy to be praised and worshiped!
His name is called 'Everlasting Father'
The name 'Everlasting Father' is 'Abi Ad' in Hebrew. 'Abi' or 'Abba' means 'Father, Chief, Principal of all things', whereas 'Ad' means 'Everlasting, Perpetual, Continuous, Eternal, Never-Ending, Forever'.
He is forever, He lives forever, and He reigns forever! There is no one like Him! He is the Source and the Author of all eternity! He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and all in it!
His name is called 'Prince of Peace'
The name 'Prince of Peace' is 'Sar Shalom' in Hebrew. 'Sar' means 'Prince, Captain, Governor, Ruler', whereas 'Shalom' can mean 'Peace, Wholeness, Wellness, Prosperity, Health, Completeness'. In fact, many more! This word 'Shalom' is a broad word!
Who is this 'Sar Shalom'? He is the One who gives us peace, wholeness, wellness, prosperity, and health! He is the One who makes our lives complete! He is the One who has the peace that the world cannot give! He is the One who gives us the peace that the world cannot give!
He also makes peace between God and us. How? By reconciling us back to God! He has carried away our sins. He has carried away our curse. He has restored us to where we belong. We belong to the Lord God Almighty. We belong to our Heavenly Father. Amen!
