Names of Christ: An Advent DevotionSample

Wonderful

We're celebrating the Christmas season—the coming of Jesus as a baby in a manger. But many Christians don't realize He manifested on the earth before He was born in Bethlehem. John the Baptist was very specific that even though Jesus was coming after him, He existed before him. So, let's look at some of those appearances—theologians call them theophany, which is a really complicated name, but let's get to the Scripture.

In Genesis 32:29, Jacob is wrestling with the “Angel of Yahweh (the LORD):”

Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He Blessed him there. -Genesis 32:29 NKJV

So, the blessing of Jacob, the renaming of Jacob to Israel... Who, when God appears in human form—who is that?

We get a little more of an inkling in Judges, chapter 13. This is the appearance of an angel to the parents of Samson, a very unusual angel—the only time you see an angel ascend to heaven and he ascends on the sacrifice. But here's the clue:

And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?” -Judges 13:18 NKVJ

And that's the clue—that name, the wonderful name of Jesus. We have a hint—His name is Wonderful. It comes from Isaiah, chapter nine:

For unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

Today, let's celebrate that His name is Wonderful! It's marvelous. It's beyond all that we could ever ask or think. He is the pre-existent One. He is the One who was with the Father at the beginning.

His name is Wonderful.

Devotion by Gordon Robertson, CEO of CBN