The Christmas Names of Jesus - Part 1

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). For the next four days we will look at the prophetic names of Jesus given by Isaiah. Each of these reveals a special part of the Gospel. The first of these is Wonderful Counselor. Some have thought to separate these two words. And, while it is true that Jesus is both wonderful and a counselor, the sense is that he is a “wonder of a counselor.” In Isaiah’s day the people lived in a pervading darkness. There were wizards, witches, sorcerers, and those who sought to consult with the dead for their wisdom and understanding of life. They lived in a world that gave no comfort or reason for their pain and suffering. They had no hope and no future. God, knowing this, prepared for the day when he would send his Son who would be a counselor beyond imagination in his goodness and compassion. There are three things that strike me clearly in this truth. 1. First, Jesus listens with compassion. Jesus understands the hurts, the needs, and the rebellion of men. The Lord understands our tears. Take your best friend, the person who listens when no one else will, the person who understands your deepest need, the person who will not jump on you when you make a mistake but will help you get back up; Jesus is like that, only extraordinarily better. 2. Second, Jesus interprets things in a new light. The old wisdom introduced at the fall when Adam and Eve first sinned skewed everything in favor of deception and darkness. It is altogether too easy to believe that is the truth. Jesus changes that. He brings light into the darkness and reveals the truth. 3. Third, Jesus confronts with the truth. There are many who would twist the truth for their own purposes. They respond with a “spin” to turn opinion to their purpose and desire. However, Jesus never distorts the truth. He confronts us with truth because he is the truth. There are those times when the truth is difficult for us to hear, but it always brings us to freedom. What I hope you see is that when Christ came into the world as a baby in Bethlehem, it was not some historical event that is irrelevant to you and me. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem the Wonderful Counselor was born. He is one we have been looking for all our lives. He is the one who understands when no one else does. He is the one who stands by us when everyone else turns away. He is the one who really can help us confront the past and begin again. He is the one who can help us find the God we knew was present but couldn’t reach. Maybe it is time to stop hiding from the things that haunt your life. Why not take your hurts, fears, and failures and bring them to Jesus?