Pastor Kory's Page for December 2024
The gift is beautifully wrapped and waiting underneath the Christmas tree. But what makes this gift so exciting is not just the impressive presentation or even what it might contain, but the fact that there’s a gift tag on the box and your name is carefully written as the recipient! Someone cared enough to prepare a gift especially for you … Whether or not you’ll be giving or receiving many presents this Christmas, Christmas is all about God’s greatest gift. And best of all, this gift, God’s Son, is for you!
It’s as if Jesus’ swaddling clothes have a gift tag on them with your name on it! But the same could be said about Jesus’ entire life, from His baptism to His teaching ministry to His institution of the Lord’s Supper—it’s all for you! Above Jesus on the cross was a notice saying, “King of the Jews.” That placard could just as well have said “For You.” The same goes for Jesus’ empty tomb! Your name is written all over everything Jesus did!
Not only is it powerful to know that Jesus took on our human flesh with you and me in mind, but His names are particularly powerful. Let’s look at seven names for our Lord in the Christmas story and in Isaiah’s prophecies to better appreciate God’s great gift of His Son:
“She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”(Matt. 1:21). Every time you hear the name “Jesus,” it’s meant to be a gospel reminder of who Jesus is and why He came. “Jesus,” or Yeshua, literally means, “The Lord saves” or “The Lord is salvation.”
“‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and they shall call His name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)” (Matt. 1:23). Although our sin separates us from our sinless Creator, God Himself descends to be with us and take on our flesh. But we also have the promise of Jesus’ presence today: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Although we often call Jesus, “Christ,” this is more of a title than a name. Christ means “Messiah” or “Anointed One.” Jesus’ ancestors, the kings of Judah, were anointed with oil for their royal offices. When we hear “Christ,” it reminds us that He is the promised “king of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2; 27:37), yet a king who wore a crown of thorns and gave His life upon the cross.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given … and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6). The Holy Spirit revealed to Isaiah centuries before Christ that God’s Chosen One would be born for us. As true man, Jesus’ birth was rather ordinary. Yet as true God, divine titles like “Wonderful Counselor” can apply to Christ. He needs no one else’s counsel. As the greatest of counselors, Christ stands ready to listen and respond to your prayers.
“Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) What a wonder it is that this helpless baby boy in the manger is also our Almighty God! The God of Israel, who powerfully rescued His people in Old Testament times, has come to rescue all people from their sin.
“Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus is One God with the Father and the Holy Spirit, but Jesus Himself is like a father to all His faithful people, the children of God. Even though He is the mighty King of all creation, Jesus loves and cares for you like the best of all fathers.
“Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) Peace is a universal human longing. As we hear of everything from bullying to senseless shootings to political power plays in this world, we’re reminded again and again that we all need this Prince of Peace. Yet Jesus came to achieve a peace that is so much greater than an absence of violence or disputes. Jesus’ peace is peace with God—an eternally restored relationship with God. Jesus’ peace is the peace of knowing that your sins are forgiven and that you are dearly loved by God! Because of the peace that is ours in Jesus, and the perfect peace that awaits us, we seek to be people of peace in our daily lives.
His names say it all! And a blessed Advent and Christmas to all!
Pastor Kory Janneke