Wonderful
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
The former CEO of my employer and I have a running joke about the song “Mary, Did You Know?” This is one of my favorite songs during the Christmas season. She isn’t as fond of the song. She authentically likes Christmas music but she finds the song a bit silly. We were talking about the song one day and she said, “of course Mary knew!”, and since then we joke about the song around the holidays.
Ok, let me get back on topic with this devotional. As I am writing today’s devotional I’m reminded of that conversation with the CEO. I wonder if Isaiah knew when he was given the prophetic explanation of Jesus how quoted and impactful the words, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” would ultimately be? These words were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and still quoted thousands of years after His death. Even these words, as powerful and descriptive as they are, still can’t quite reach the level of honor that fully explains Jesus.Wonderful Counselor: A counselor is a person that helps us work through emotions and challenges to restore our mental health and wellness. However, the prophecy of Jesus given by Isaiah goes much further and calls him “Wonderful Counselor,” meaning Jesus is exalted far above a university trained wellness expert. We put our trust in Jesus as our counselor because we know He experienced being both human and divine. He knews the joys of being a man, as well as the hurts, and everything in between. He lives with us, in us, and through us. No other counselor has those credentials.
Mighty God: The gods worshiped by many ancient peoples were represented by objects made with human hands. Jesus was never the creation of mankind. Scripture presents Him as the eternal Son of God, through whom all things were made. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and entered human history in humility. The title Mighty God reminds us that His power and His humility belong together.
Everlasting Father: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
Prince of Peace: The peace that Jesus brings is within us, that comes from the hope and faith we have in Him. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)