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"...and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6b KJV).
We live in a culture that has sadly turned name-calling into an art form. Many politicians have become the leaders of this debase practice. They have, in turn, empowered others to participate in and practice this terrible act of belittling and tearing down others, bullying them with their negative words. I have read too many opinions that are filled with this name-calling. I have also witnessed this at public meetings, such as school board meetings. We degrade ourselves, others, and our Creator when we join in this practice.
Our Savior, during his earthly life, knew what it was to be bullied and to be called horrible names by some of the politicians, leaders, and other people of his day. These people spread rumors about him, even calling him an agent of the Evil One. As He hung on the cross, they threw even more insults at him.
But these people, like the name-callers of today, were wrong and were choosing themselves to do evil. Jesus, in the midst of such terrible treatment, chose to reach out in love and forgiveness. In so doing, Jesus highlighted his true nature for us. And Jesus asks us to try to reflect Jesus' true nature in the lives we live.
Though some tried, and even today continue to try, to belittle and destroy Jesus, God showed us Jesus' true nature by also calling Jesus names -- names that God hopes will inspire us. So let us do some name-calling of Jesus: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The Good Shepherd, The Light of the World, The Vine, The Bread of Life. Redeemer, Friend, Guide, Companion, Healer, Miracle Worker. The Hope of the World, The Sacrificial Lamb, The Alpha and Omega, The Word, The Rock. The Way, The Truth, The Life. The Lamb of God, Emmanuel, Savior. The Christ. The Son of God.
We have far too much darkness in our world. As followers of Jesus, the Christ, you and I need to reflect that light, love, hope, mercy, grace, and peace that is the Good Shepherd, the Savior of the World. Looking at and reflecting upon these names for Jesus should lift our hearts and turn us towards the light of God so that we might more fully reflect Jesus in our homes, our community, our world.
May we counter all the bullying and derogatory name-calling in our society by instead living out the Gift of the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Light of the World.
Let us help change this world by sharing and living out of the names that truly reflect Jesus, the Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Savior of the World.
As we continue our journey in this Year of Our Lord 2024, may the words of this hymn by Audrey Mieir encourage and guide us: "His name is Wonderful…His name is Wonderful; Jesus, my Lord. He is the Mighty King, Master of Everything; His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord. He's the Great Shepherd, the Rock of All Ages, Almighty God is He; bow down before Him, love and adore Him, His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord."
Pastor Bob Wallace, retired UM pastor