And His Name Shall Be Called

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)

A governor is known by His people’s characterization of him:“a name.” This name is not a formal name, but and nickname of sorts.

And every man is looking for a man, a man he can believe in, a man he can trust. He wants a leader that is consistent and a guide that is sure. He wants an idealist that is a realist; he wants a realist that is an idealist. He wants a man that can and will provide, protect, and preserve. He wants a man that he can name: miracle worker, teacher, comforter, divine and eternal.

And what man has not failed the test? What man’s strength has not waned? What man's threads have not worn thin and revealed the vileness of his nakedness and imperfection? What man’s vices have not competed with his virtues?

There have been other leaders: the Pharaohs have come and gone. The Caesars have come and gone. Alexander the Great, Xerxes, Napoleon, Winston Churchill, all have been leaders which stood head and shoulders above other men. Yet their powers, philosophies and plans have fallen short.

But here is a man that does not will to power; He is power. He does not seek to be virtuous; He is virtue. He does not desire to be King; He is King. He can’t be exalted; He is exaltation. And since He cannot go up, He comes down: down the mountain of His divinity, down into the valley of humanity, down through forty-two generations, down into a lowly manger, born as a child, given as a Son.

And what is His political strategy? Winsomely, He awes us; with clarity, He instructs us; with tenderness, He comforts us; with power, He subjects us; with efficacy, He immortalizes us. He’s a governor, perfectly divine enough to become perfectly human. He‘s a man that is lofty enough to condemn, but lowly enough to console.

So what does His people say of Him? They have been awed by Him standing on the deck of a boat and taming the storm; so they say He’s wonderful. They have been instructed by Him going up into a high mountain and revealing the path of blessedness; so they say He’s a counselor. They have been comforted by Him telling of their place in His Father’s house; so they say He’s the prince of peace. They have become worshippers by Him showing His nail-scarred hands and pierced side; so they say He’s the mighty God. They have been assured immortality by His resurrection from the grave; so they say He’s the everlasting father.