Wonderful
The 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: Other gods from the days when Jesus physically walked on the Earth were created by the hands of craftsmen. Jesus was never the creation of mankind. Jesus is the perfect creation of God, the God that created our universe! He was conceived through the power and might of the Holy Spirit. That more than qualifies Him for the name Mighty God. Even with that title, Jesus was known for teaching humility.
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)