The Christmas Names of Jesus - Part 3

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV). Next Isaiah declares Jesus is the Everlasting Father. In the Hebrew the phrase is literally “the Father of Eternity.” This speaks of the purpose of his coming. He is before, above, and beyond time. He is the possessor of eternity. He is eternally like a father to his people. This is not a statement about the Trinity but about the character of our Lord. All that a good father is, Jesus is to his people. Because he is like a father, he cares for his people. Because he owns eternity, he can give us eternal life. That’s important for those who live on this sin-cursed planet. No one lives forever. Sooner or later we will all find our own place in the graveyard. We are not immortal but transitory. We’re here today, gone tomorrow. A dead Christ will do us no good. Dying men need an undying Christ. Charles Swindoll relates a story that draws us an appropriate picture of what Christ has done: “Eight-year-old Monica broke her leg as she fell into a pit. An older woman, Mama Njeri, happened along and climbed into the pit to help get Monica out. In the process, a dangerous black Mamba snake bit both Mama Njeri and Monica. Monica was taken to Kejave Medical Center and admitted. Mama Njeri went home, but never awoke from her sleep. The next day a perceptive missionary nurse explained Mama Njeri’s death to Monica, telling her that the snake had bitten both of them, but all of the snake’s poison was expended on Mama Njeri; none was given to Monica. The nurse then explained that Jesus had taken the poison of Monica’s sin so that she could have new life. It was easy for Monica.” She then understood the work of Christ on her behalf very clearly. Jesus makes the spiritual life possible. He is a father forever! That’s important to me. He taught me many things. He taught me the importance of family. He taught me what it meant to sacrifice for your children. He taught me some of the most endearing and important lessons in life. However, he was not a father forever. He is gone now. He was a very good man, but he could not be a father forever. I am a father to Kyle, David, and Aaron, but I am not a father forever. I will someday pass away. All human fathers must go. But Jesus is a father forever! He’s just what we need.