He will be called...the Everlasting Father
The last few days I have written much about how the titles given to the Messiah speak of His deity. The next name is no different: Everlasting Father.
As a Father, this Son who is to be given to the people will guard His people and supply all of their needs. He will be the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the Living Water, etc., etc. to His people. He will lead His children, He will train them, discipline them, and make them into His image with hearts that desire to follow Him. He will guide them with tenderness, love, comfort, grace, and mercy.
As the Father of Eternity, this One is beyond the boundaries of time. He will never cease to exist, but rather wherever one goes in eternity--whether past, present, or future--He is there! He inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15). What a thought (try to wrap your brain around this one)--a Child will be born, but He already has been...is...and will be a Father, and oh by the way, His existence doesn't begin with His birth because He always exists!
In this one verse we have a very clear statement regarding the incarnation and the theology of Christmas. That statement is this: The eternal God will take on the form of a servant, being born into His own creation as a promised Child.
What a promise! Israel was nearing a time of discipline for their sin. They would be under the rule of the Assyrians. Following that, they would fall under the rule of Rome and the Caesars. What hope is there? Years and years of difficulties, frustrations, stress, death, faithlessness, disobedience...what hope is there?
The hope is this: They have a loving Father--One who is not bound by time. All things are in His control, and they can trust in Him to care for them no matter the situation. He will provide for their needs, He will continue to love them, and His grace would still be evident. And at the right time that same God of Eternity would come...
As a Child...
To die...
For me.
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6It is quite likely that a better translation for this Hebrew word is "Father of eternity." But either translation gives us the same basic thought: this Child is a Father, and this Child is eternal.
As a Father, this Son who is to be given to the people will guard His people and supply all of their needs. He will be the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the Living Water, etc., etc. to His people. He will lead His children, He will train them, discipline them, and make them into His image with hearts that desire to follow Him. He will guide them with tenderness, love, comfort, grace, and mercy.
As the Father of Eternity, this One is beyond the boundaries of time. He will never cease to exist, but rather wherever one goes in eternity--whether past, present, or future--He is there! He inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15). What a thought (try to wrap your brain around this one)--a Child will be born, but He already has been...is...and will be a Father, and oh by the way, His existence doesn't begin with His birth because He always exists!
In this one verse we have a very clear statement regarding the incarnation and the theology of Christmas. That statement is this: The eternal God will take on the form of a servant, being born into His own creation as a promised Child.
What a promise! Israel was nearing a time of discipline for their sin. They would be under the rule of the Assyrians. Following that, they would fall under the rule of Rome and the Caesars. What hope is there? Years and years of difficulties, frustrations, stress, death, faithlessness, disobedience...what hope is there?
The hope is this: They have a loving Father--One who is not bound by time. All things are in His control, and they can trust in Him to care for them no matter the situation. He will provide for their needs, He will continue to love them, and His grace would still be evident. And at the right time that same God of Eternity would come...
As a Child...
To die...
For me.
"You, O Lord, are our Father;
Our Redeemer from Everlasting
Is Your name."
Isaiah 63:16
Our Redeemer from Everlasting
Is Your name."
Isaiah 63:16
posted by Pastor Jason | 9:38 AM
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