What Is in a Name? The Matchless Name of Jesus

In an age where names are chosen because they’re trendy on TikTok or look cute on a Starbucks cup, the Bible takes names deadly seriously. A biblical name is never just a label; it is a revelation of character, a declaration of mission, and a promise of power.

Seven centuries before Bethlehem, Isaiah stood in the gathering gloom of Assyrian invasion and proclaimed a word of undimmed hope:

“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.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Every single title is a thunderclap against the darkness.

1. Wonderful  

   This is the same word used when the Bible says the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah and “did wondrously” (Judges 13:19). It means that which causes awe-struck silence. The Baby in the manger is the One before whom seraphim cover their faces and cry “Holy!”

2. Counsellor  

   While the world drowns in podcasts, self-help gurus, and conflicting voices, Jesus carries in His heart the eternal blueprint of the Father. Every question you will ever have, every crossroads you will ever face, finds its perfect answer in Him.

3. The mighty God  

   Let modern liberalism choke on this: the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes is the Almighty. The hands that cannot yet grasp Mary’s finger flung galaxies into space. The voice that can only cry is the same voice that one day will shout, “It is finished!” and shake the earth.

4. The everlasting Father (literally “Father of Eternity”)  

   He is before time, outside time, and beyond time. Your past is forgiven in Him, your present is governed by Him, your future is hidden safely in Him.

5. The Prince of Peace  

   Not a temporary truce with sin, but total victory. Where this Prince plants His flag, the war is over. Guilt is gone. Shame is banished. Death is defeated.

Then Matthew, writing to prove beyond doubt that Jesus is the promised Messiah, adds two more names:

- JESUS — “for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).  

  Every other founder of religion says, “Here is my teaching; try hard and maybe God will accept you.”  

  Jesus alone says, “I am the Savior. I will do it Myself.”  

  No prophet, no priest, no sacrament, no amount of law-keeping can save you from your sins. Only Jesus.

- EMMANUEL — “God with us” (Matt. 1:23).  

  The infinite God did not remain aloof on a throne of detached glory. He stepped into the mess, breathed our infected air, walked our cursed earth, bore our hell on a cross — all because He refused to be God without us.

There is no other name like this Name.

- Islam gives you a prophet.  

- Hinduism gives you millions of gods.  

- Secularism gives you yourself.  

- Only Christianity gives you the mighty God who became a Man so that men might become sons of God.

That is why Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, thundered before the Sanhedrin:  

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

That is why Paul wrote that one day every knee will bow “at the name of Jesus” (Phil. 2:10).

That is why demons still tremble and flee when that Name is spoken in faith.

So what is in a name?

Everything.

Your forgiveness is in that Name.  

Your healing is in that Name.  

Your authority over Satan is in that Name.  

Your eternity is secured by that Name.

Speak it in prayer.  

Sing it in worship.  

Plead it over your children.  

Whisper it on your deathbed.

Because there is still wonder-working, demon-chasing, sin-forgiving, life-giving power in the matchless Name of Jesus.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.

DMMC 

12-9-25