And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21 LSB
In the Bible, names had meanings. Several years ago, our church did a Bible study presented by Tony Evans on The Power of God’s Names. We studied 11 names of God. Elohim refers to The Creator God. Jehovah refers to the relational God. Adonai refers to The God who rules. Jehovah Nissi refers to The Lord my banner. Jehovah Tsaba refers to The Lord our warrior. Jehovah Rohi refers to The Lord my shepherd. Jehovah Jireh refers to the Lord our provider. El Elyon refers to the Most High God. El Shaddai refers to the Lord God Almighty. Jesus refers to the God who saves. Immanuel refers to God with us. Our one true God has many names referring to His many characteristics.
In Isaiah 7:14 Yahweh told King Ahaz, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” The name Immanuel means God with us.
In Isaiah 9:6 God gave Isaiah the prophecy of Jesus’ birth and said that He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These terms elaborate further on the name Immanuel. This child would be born through the lineage of King David with rights to the throne of David. The government will rest on His shoulders. This is a fulfillment of Psalm 2:9 which says, “You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like a potter’s vessel.” The Son will rule the nations of the world.
Wonderful, counselor was used in contrast to King Ahaz, this King will rule with supernatural wisdom.
The name or term Mighty God tells us that as a powerful warrior, the Messiah will accomplish the military exploits mentioned in Isaiah 9:3-5 which consists of multiplying the nation, making great their gladness, rejoicing when they divide the spoil, shattering the burden of their yoke and the staff on their shoulders.
The name of Everlasting Father indicates that the Messiah will be an eternal Father to His people. As a King, He will compassionately care for them and discipline them.
The name Prince of Peace indicates that the government of Immanuel will procure and perpetuate peace among the nations of the world.
In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John had healed a sick man and were arrested. They were released the next day and elders, scribes and priests questioned them asking, “By what power, or in what name have you done this?” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them by saying, “if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man, as to how this man has been saved from his sickness, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-by this name this man stands here in good health. He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:9-12).
We must never underestimate the power in Jesus’ name. Jesus said in John 14:13, “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” It’s important to understand here that whenever we are in a committed relationship with Jesus and have surrendered to Him, we pray according to His will and wanting His will to be done. His will is going to be done to glorify God. As Christians, we should be all about glorifying God. This is what He means by saying whatever we pray in His name, He will do. It doesn’t mean we can pray for our team to win or for us to win the lottery and God will make it happen. It means if we pray for His will for something that will bring Him glory, you can be assured it’s a done deal.
The sweetest name I’ve ever heard is Jesus. When you don’t know what to say or what to pray, just say Jesus. There is more power than human minds can comprehend in that name. Call out to Him. Only He can save you.
Have a great day!