The Names of Jesus - Elmer Towns

Secondly, there is a call to sanctification. By sanctification God sets us apart to holiness.
It involves all three aspects of Biblical separation (cf. I Thessalonians 1:9). First, we are
separated to God. Further, we are separated from sin. Finally, we are separated to service. Christ
is present with us both in our personal sanctification (John 17:16-23) and our corporate
sanctification as a body of believers (Matthew 18:20).
We are also workmen together with Christ (I Corinthians 3:9). God has a specific call to
service for every believer. Not every believer has the same calling, but each has the same
responsibility to serve in the place of his calling. Scripture describes three aspects of the call.
Concerning its source, it is a “heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1). Concerning its character, it is a
“holy calling” (II Timothy 1:9). Concerning its challenge, it is a call to excellence or a “high
calling” (Philippians 3:14).
A final aspect of the call of God is one which most believers prefer to minimize-the call
to suffering. Suffering is a very real part of the experience of the Christian life (cf. I Peter 2:19-
21). There are two extreme positions to be avoided in this area of the Christian life. First, some
run from any and all opposition and hardship and, in doing so, often hinder the testimony of
Christ and fail to learn what God is trying to teach them in their suffering. A second group seems
committed to multiplying their sorrows to the same effect of hindering the testimony of Christ
and at times even resisting the will of God when God wants to bless them. Note the five areas of
suffering in the Christian life in which Immanuel becomes particularly meaningful-infirmities,
reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses (II Corinthians 12:10).
WONDERFUL
Another of the birth names of Christ is “Wonderful.” This title was first used in an
appearance of the angel of the Lord to the mother of Samson (Judges 13:8-22) and later was one
of the five titles Isaiah ascribed to the “son,” “given” and the “child” “born” (Isaiah 9:6).
Although many contemporary writers tend to view this Isaiah list as four compound names, the
first being “Wonderful Counsellor,” the Hebrew word used by the prophet is a noun and not an
adjective. Also, the names “Wonderful” and “Counsellor” both appear independently elsewhere
in Scripture as names of Christ.
A Definition of His Wonder
This word “wonderful” is used in three different senses in the Old Testament. First, a
wonder is something marvelous or spectacular. The expression “signs and wonders” is a common
Old Testament designation of the miraculous. The New Testament reserves this designation
for miracles of the most incredible variety. They were the kinds of miracles that left the witness
with a feeling of wonder (cf. Matthew 15:31; Mark 6:51; Luke 4:22).
A second aspect of this word “wonder” is something mysterious or secret. F.C. Jennings
has commented on this name of Christ: “It both expresses and hides the incomprehensible.” In
this way the name is closely related to the “name written, that no man knew, but he himself”
(Revelation 19:12). Even when this name has been thoroughly studied, an element of mystery
will still remain about all that it represents in Jesus.