December 23, 2014 (Tuesday)
Isaiah looked ahead to the coming of a special servant of God who would be a spiritual presence in the hearts of God’s people. “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).
He gave four descriptions of this servant:
1. Wonderful Counselor
He is the one who listens to us and helps to guide us in our decisions. He is the One who makes intercession for us at the right hand of God. He is our advocate, pleading our case for a righteousness based on his death on the Cross as our substitute.
2. Mighty God
When Jesus came, he said, “He that has seen me has seen the Father. I and the Father are One. He used “I am” in several declarations (“I am the light of the world, I am the bread of life..), an expression used by God Himself when Moses asked his identity (“I Am that I Am”).
3. Everlasting Father
This is one of a very few verses in the Old Testament that refer to God as Father, a word introduced into everyman’s vocabulary by the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus brought us something new: the knowledge of God as a loving Heavenly Father.
4. Prince of Peace
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the angels announced his birth and promised shepherd that the “Savior, who is Christ the Lord,” would bring peace and good will among men. Jesus saves us and makes peace with God, He changes us and helps us love one another, and He helps us maintain peace within by trusting Him daily.
In the second chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul proclaims that Jesus has been given “a name which is above every name,” at which every knee shall bow. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name.”
Merry Christmas!