For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
In 1946, the film “It’s a Wonderful Life” was released only to crash at the box office. The film was not an immediate hit. In fact, it was not until it was released to be seen on network television that it became much more accepted and loved by so many. I know in my home, it doesn’t seem like Christmas until we’ve seen “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
What’s so wonderful? Life. The film’s main character, George Bailey, finds himself in a horrible situation and fails to see a way out. He walks to the town bridge that overlooks a raging river on a snowy night with the intention of jumping off and ending his life. I would tell you a more, but I don’t want to ruin the movie for you.
The Christmas season should bring excitement and joy to our lives. While so many things often cause us to lose focus, I want to help you today. Isaiah gives us some information that should help us as we begin thinking more about Jesus and who He is.
And His Name Shall Be Called
His name is Jesus, but people will call Jesus wonderful. Did you catch that? That is so important. Isaiah 9:6 gives us amazing information about how people will look at Jesus. His name is not wonderful, but his name will be called wonderful. There is a distinction.
For many in our world today, Jesus is not wonderful but an offense. He is not politically correct and is not inclusive of all choices people make. People often claim that Jesus is unloving because He fails to agree with sinful choices. However, that is not unloving at all. Jesus is only helping us from hurting ourselves because of our poor choices.
The problem is so many think their opinions are better than Jesus’ thoughts and commands. They have replaced Jesus with their own finite and fallible minds.
Before considering what you call His name, consider how you view Jesus. If your view is unfocused on His goodness, perfection, and love, your perspective will always be less than it should be. Honestly, if you place your wants and needs above Jesus’ commands and provision for your life, then your perspective is just as skewed as George Bailey’s perspective.
His name will be called Wonderful!
Throughout history, people have looked at the life of Jesus and considered it to be many things. But those who truly understand the salvation Jesus brought to the world see Jesus’ name as wonderful.
However, people who have never experienced salvation and who live lives in direct defiance of anything spiritual feel completely different. They do not look at Jesus as wonderful. They approach the name of Jesus as an offender.
Wonderful is Encouraging?
There are several things beyond salvation that should encourage us as we worship Jesus this season. First, Jesus provides us with great hope. We should have an unwavering hope in Jesus and the fact that what He says is right, holy, and perfect. We can count on what He says to be true and helpful in every situation we may find ourselves in.
Wonderful is Healing
Second, Jesus provides us with great healing. Some of you are in a difficult situation this year. You may have been given tremendously difficult news of an illness that knocked you down. You feel crushed. However, there is healing in the wonderful name of Jesus. This means one of two things. Jesus, who gives us every breath we breathe, will either heal you here on earth or will heal you through that amazing transition from earth to heaven. I know what you’re saying. You want to be healed here on earth. You want to live. I’ve always told people that if you live long enough, you will eventually die. That is true. But when a person who follows Christ dies, they transition to the very presence of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Wonderful is Everlasting
Third, Jesus provides us with everlasting heaven. That’s right. That change of address from earth to heaven is forever. It never ends. It is a truth that should cause us to experience great hope. Think about it this way. None of us are guaranteed today. It could be that we experience an accident or illness, or even our physical bodies just give out. Yep. All of that is possible. And it is not uncommon because our bodies are constantly breaking down. That is why we have such great hope in a Wonderful Jesus. Simply put, what is 90 years of life compared to an eternity in Heaven with the Creator of the universe?
Wonderful is the Real Hope
Back to George Bailey. So he survived and began to understand the real meaning of wonderful and the special blessings life provides. In the end, George figures out that life is indeed wonderful. It is so much better than he once thought. Why? Because his initial perspective was completely focused on the wrong things.
What things are you focused on this year? Are you focused on family, friends, food, and fun? These are not all bad. However, focusing on important things should not supersede focusing on the most important thing. What is the most important thing? Jesus. He is the most important thing about Christmas. And His name will be called Wonderful!
I thought I would share the lyrics of a Christmas song hardly ever sung. It was written by Lanny Wolfe. I hope you enjoy it. The link to the song is:
An angel from long ago
Bent down to earth below
And to Mary whispered low
Call His Name Jesus
Fear not the words I say
For God has promised you today
That you shall bring forth a Son
Call His Name Jesus
Cherish that beautiful name
Cherish that wonderful name
Cherish that matchless name
That name is Jesus
Cherish that beautiful name
Cherish that wonderful name
Cherish that matchless name
That name is Jesus
No other name can save or heal
No other name can cleanse and feel
That emptiness within your heart
No other name but Jesus
When all have come and gone
That name will still live on
So magnify it loud and strong
The precious name of Jesus
Cherish that beautiful name
Cherish that wonderful name
Cherish that matchless name
That name is Jesus
Cherish that beautiful name
Cherish that wonderful name
Cherish that matchless name
That name is Jesus
His Name is wonderful
His Name is wonderful
His Name is wonderful
Jesus, My Lord
Cherish that beautiful name
Cherish that wonderful name
Cherish that matchless name
That name is Jesus, Jesus
That name is Jesus
May you truly experience the Wonderful name of Jesus this year!
Tommy