The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Here’s one conversation Mary didn’t have to have with Joseph as they awaited the birth of the baby she was carrying: “Joseph, what should we name the baby?” Unlike most people awaiting a birth, they had no question about what they would call this child.
The angels who visited Mary and then Joseph told them both that the baby’s name would be Jesus (Matthew 1:20–21; Luke 1:30–31). The angel that appeared to Joseph explained that this name indicated that the baby would “save his people from their sins.”
He would also be called “Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14), which means “God is with us,” because He would be God in human form—deity wrapped in swaddling clothes. The prophet Isaiah revealed additional titles of “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6), because He would be all of those things.
It’s always exciting to name a new baby. But no other baby had such a powerful, exciting, world-changing name as the one who was “Jesus who is called the Messiah” (Matthew 1:16). What a thrill for us to be able to “call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2)! There’s no other name that saves (Acts 4:12).
Let’s praise Jesus and contemplate everything He means to us this Christmas season!
How does reflecting on the name of Jesus encourage you? Which of His titles from Isaiah 9:6 means the most to you this season? Why?
Thank You, heavenly Father, for sending us One who is our Savior, our Counselor, our Prince of Peace, and our Messiah. I celebrate His birth because I know that His life and death and resurrection purchased eternal life for me.
INSIGHT
King Ahaz of Judah, threatened by the armies of Israel and Syria (Isaiah 7:1–7), refused to trust God and instead turned to Assyria for help (2 Kings 16:7–9). Yet God assured Ahaz of victory by giving him the ultimate proof: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel [God with us]” (Isaiah 7:14). God promised to be with His people if they’d only trust Him. Some scholars believe this sign was first fulfilled during the time of Ahaz and fully fulfilled in Jesus some seven hundred years later (Matthew 1:23). Isaiah 9:6–7 describes this child with royal titles: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Kings often took titles that described their roles. For example, we see this in the title “Defender of the Faith” which British monarchs receive as head of the Church of England. Isaiah prophesied that a descendant of David would rule the whole world “with justice and righteousness” (v. 7).