by Pastor Patrick Cho
One of the most familiar passages in Scripture comes from Isaiah 9:6 because of the Christmas season. The passage reads, “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.” This is a passage of hope reminding God’s people of the promise of a coming Savior who would rule the world. Rightly, it is inscribed on Christmas cards all over the world each year.
With the promise of a child, it has reverberations of the promise of salvation even as far back as Genesis 3:15, that the Lord would crush the head of the serpent through the seed of the woman. A child would be born. A son would be given. This Messiah, God’s anointed one who would bring salvation for His people, who would come as a child, is referred to by four distinct titles in this passage.
First, He is called “Wonderful Counselor.” John 1 refers to Jesus as the very Word of God. Throughout His ministry here on earth, He would preach with great authority such that the people were amazed at His teaching. His instruction would miraculously change hearts and transform lives. He is in this sense a wonderful counselor because He instructs His people according to the Word of truth. Even now as He sits at the right hand of God, He also intercedes for His people. He is the sympathetic High Priest that understands our hardships, trials, and pain. He has experienced the pain of life being rejected by men and suffering death on the cross. He was tempted in every way and yet without sin. Because of this, He is able to comfort us in our struggles.
The second title mentioned is “Mighty God.” Jesus took on human flesh in His incarnation but this did not mean that He was diminished at all in deity. He came with the greatness, glory, and power of God, and in no way did Christ fall short of God’s glory. In Him, we see the perfect representation of the Father. This is such an amazing truth to ponder that God took on human flesh in order to bring hope and salvation to the world.
The third title is “Everlasting Father.” This is not a confusion of the Persons of the Trinity. Kings and rulers were sometimes referred to as “fathers” of their people (cf. 2 Kings 5:13; Ps. 68:5; 103:13). But earthly kings reign for a short time and their rule comes to an end. Jesus, the King of kings, rules in heaven for all eternity, and one day will rule on His throne in the Kingdom. But as the king, this prophecy implies the care and grace with which He will reign. Jesus the King would be like a loving father condescending and caring for His subjects as His children.
The fourth title is “Prince of Peace.” Jesus has brought us peace. He is the prince of peace – the greatest bringer of peace. Peace is the Hebrew word shalom. It means more than just the absence of war and conflict. It carries the idea of completeness or wholeness. This is the great need for all men with God, but true peace can only be found in Christ. This is because of our sin which ruins our standing with God. Because He is holy and righteous, He can’t abide sin. But Jesus came to bring us into right standing with God the Father. He did this not by magically making our sin disappear, but by dealing with the consequences of our sin on the cross.
This Christmas season, we should take time to celebrate the gift of a Savior who made it possible for sinners like us have peace with God. Especially as Christians, we have the greatest reason to rejoice because God showed us grace. The prophet Isaiah tells us that God sent His Son Jesus to be our wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace.