Everlasting father

"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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

The past two weeks we have spent expectantly waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, by leaning into the words of the Prophet Isaiah. We have learned how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy as Wonderful Counsellor and Mighty God and now in week 3, we are focusing on Jesus as the Everlasting Father.

The word 'Father' can evoke a wide range of emotions for us. Some of us will feel a sense of loss this Christmas season, either because we had fathers who were so wonderful but are no longer with us, or because we have unfulfilled longings for the kind of father we have never had.

We may not truly understand the goodness of an everlasting father because of our earthly experiences, and one of the greatest challenges in understanding our Everlasting Father, is the baggage we carry from our own fathers. Unfortunately, relationships are not perfect and God knew we would need an example of what it looks like to be a perfect father.

Do you know of all the names attributed to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, "Everlasting Father" intrigued me the most!

How can this baby be called "Everlasting Father?"

But, it is not the role of Jesus within the Godhead that Isaiah had in mind, but the Messiah's character.

Everything you dreamed a father could be - everything you have ever wanted from an earthly father, Jesus is and will be for us.

His compassionate care for us is depicted in the metaphor of the Good Shepherd. He is perfectly father-like in the way he shepherds and leads us. As His children, He is our protector and provider.

As the Everlasting Father, Jesus provides guidance and teachings through the words we find in the Bible. He spent His days caring for the marginalised. He exhibits love, compassion and care towards His children. His compassion is boundless.

The most powerful characteristic that makes Jesus the Everlasting Father was His sacrifice.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

Jesus, Our Everlasting Father came at Christmas into a broken and sinful world, to fill our hearts with heaven's love and teach us to love one another.

His willingness to "lay down His life for His sheep" makes Him a giver of good gifts that secure our future with Him.

Jesus, the Everlasting Father has opened up eternity, as a beautiful gift for those who trust in Him.

There will be no goodbyes from Him, nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from His love, not even death itself, indeed it will draw us nearer to Him.

How comforting it is to read "His name shall be called...Everlasting Father."

Once we become a child of Christ, we are His forever.

Isn't that amazing!

God bless