The Reign of Jesus
“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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
What is the meaning of Isaiah 9:6?
Jesus is the eternal Son of God, who took on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus was born into our world as a child, and he rules God’s kingdom as our Savior and Lord.
The four titles given to Jesus in this verse - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace - speak to the various roles Jesus plays in God’s Kingdom. He is a wonderful counselor, who offers wisdom and guidance to those who seek him. He is mighty God, who has defeated our enemies of sin and death. He is the everlasting Father, who is the creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all things. And he is the Prince of Peace, who reconciles the world to God. In Christ alone do we find our true and abiding peace.
Wonderful Counselor
As believers, we are blessed to have Jesus as our wonderful counselor, who offers us wisdom and guidance on how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Through his words and actions, Jesus counsels us on three primary imperatives that are essential for following him and experiencing the fullness of his salvation.
The first imperative is to repent. Jesus frequently calls on his followers to repent, or turn away from sin and turn towards God. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This passage reminds us that the kingdom of God is near, and that we must turn away from our sin and embrace God's love and grace. By repenting and turning towards God, we can experience the fullness of his forgiveness and salvation.
The second imperative is to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This passage reminds us that our primary focus should be on seeking God and living in obedience to his will. When we prioritize God and his kingdom above our own desires and pursuits, he will provide for all of our needs.
The third imperative is to love God and love others. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." This passage teaches us that loving God and loving others is at the heart of Jesus' message. It reminds us that our relationship with God is the most important thing, and that loving others is a natural expression of that relationship.
As we seek to follow Jesus and to live in obedience to his will, we can find hope and guidance in these three imperatives. May we repent, seek first the kingdom of God, and love God and others with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, as we follow Jesus, our wonderful counselor.
Mighty God, Everlasting Father
What does it mean for Jesus to be called mighty God, everlasting Father?
Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. He is the creator of the universe and everything in it, and there is nothing that is beyond his control or understanding. He is the sovereign Lord over all, and everything exists for his glory and purpose (Colossians 1:15-20).
The power of Jesus is not an abstract concept. It is something that has tangible effects on our lives. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus has defeated the enemies of sin (1 Peter 2:24) and death (1 Timothy 2:10) that once held us captive. Because of his sacrifice, we can now have forgiveness for our sins and the hope of eternal life with God.
Prince of Peace
Through Jesus, God reconciled all things to himself, “whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20).
Through his death on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sin and reconciled us to God. He tore down the barrier of separation that sin had created between us, and made it possible for us to have a relationship with him.
But the peace that Jesus brings is not a temporary peace; it is an eternal peace. In John 14:27, Jesus says: "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." The peace that Jesus gives is not a fleeting emotion, but a deep and abiding peace in which we find our eternal well-being.
So let us give thanks to Jesus, our Prince of Peace, for reconciling us to God and bringing us the gift of eternal peace. Let us trust in him and follow him, knowing that he is always with us and will never leave us or forsake us.
Prayer of the Day
Dear God,
We praise and thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus.
We thank you for the wisdom and guidance that Jesus provides us as our Counselor. We trust in his perfect understanding and desire to lead us in the way we should go.
We praise you for the power and might of Jesus, our Mighty God and Everlasting Father. We trust in his sovereignty over all things and the fact that nothing is too difficult for him.
We praise you for the peace that Jesus brings as our Prince of Peace. We trust in his ability to reconcile us to you and to bring us the gift of eternal peace.
We pray that we would draw closer to Jesus and trust in him more fully each day. May we follow him and seek to honor him in all that we do.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
