First of all, let us understand the fact that Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, and that He was loved by the Father. Therefore, the name of Jesus holds special significance to God. Glory and honor have been bestowed upon Jesus because of His tremendous sacrifice on our behalf. We read in Phillippians 2:9-11..."Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." We must take this knowledge to its logical conclusion. If the name of Jesus is above every name, and all things must bow to it, then this tells us that any affliction which we face must come under subjection to the name of Jesus. Therefore, the name of Jesus is above sickness and disease. It is above depression. It is above addiction, and loneliness, and bitterness. When we cry out to Jesus, and claim our victory in His name, we find that He is the cure for any infirmity which we will ever face in our lifetime. Jesus is indeed the Great Physician.
We know also that the selfless sacrifice of Jesus continues on, as He is now our advocate, our mediator, our intercessor. John tells us in 1 John 2:1-2..."...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Timothy reveals to us in 1 Timothy 2:5-6..."For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." Furthermore, Paul tells us in Hebrews 7:25-27..."Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."
The intercessory work of Jesus is the reason why we close our prayers "in Jesus' name." It is only through Jesus that we can reach the Father, as He tells us in John 14:6..."...I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity, and this is the reason why we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Hope. He is our mediator, our advocate, and our friend. We have been bought with a tremendous price, His precious blood, and therefore we belong to Him.
Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, laid out the truth of the gospel in a most eloquent and stirring way in Acts 4:10-12..."Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." What does this tell us? Simply put, there is no other way to get to heaven, except by Jesus Christ. We must be bold in our faith, and steadfast in our assertion that He is the way, the only way, to be saved. This tells us in no uncertain terms that Allah, or Mohammed, or the Pope, or Joseph Smith, or Confucius, or Buddha, or any other name will not bring us salvation. We must be washed in the blood of Jesus. It is only our faith in the precious blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ which will result in our forgiveness, our justification, our redemption, and our salvation.
The prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus, and gave Him many names, all of which are beautiful in their own way. We read in Isaiah 9:6..."For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Let's take a brief look at each of the names which Isaiah assigns to Jesus. First of all, He is called "Wonderful". Jesus certainly is wonderful, as he is the greatest gift ever given to mankind. He is also wonderful because He is full of wonders. It is by His Hand that the universe was created, as we read in John 1:3..."All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Secondly, Isaiah calls Jesus "Counsellor". This is certainly a fitting description, as Jesus is the greatest therapist who has ever lived. He truly listens and understands our problems, and is the only One qualified to change things for us in a real and lasting way. Paul explains this in Hebrews 4:14-16..."Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Isaiah goes on to call Jesus "The mighty God, The everlasting Father". This is appropriate because Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity, and He tells us Himself in John 14:7..."If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.", and again in John 10:30..."I and my Father are one." Finally, Isaiah assigns a beautiful distinction to Jesus as he designates Him "The Prince of Peace". Such an endearing and prophetic term, as God reveals through Isaiah the birth of the Prince of Glory, and the Peace which He will bring to His people. The peace which Isaiah speaks of, and which Jesus gives, is not necessarily the peace which we would normally think of. This is why so many people question the existence of God in our society today. They can't understand how a God of Peace would allow such turmoil and chaos. However, they fail to realize that the peace which Jesus brings goes much deeper. It is a peace independent of one's surroundings, a calm in the midst of the storm, and this is a peace which the world cannot grasp, because it comes from within when one is filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the "inner peace" which so many have sought for, and yet never attained, because it is not found through earthly influences. It is only through meditating on God's word that we can receive the peace which Jesus bestows, which Paul speaks of in Phillipians 4:6-7..."Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
So, we see that Jesus is given many names. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Great Physician. He is our Advocate, our Mediator, and our Intercessor. He is Wonderful, He is the Counsellor, He is The mighty God, the everlasting Father, and He is the Prince of Peace. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Friend. May we always be a people who call on, and trust in, Jesus, the name which is above all names.
