Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
Isaiah 9:6
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.
At Christmas time one of my favorite aspects of the biblical prophecies is all the names of Christ. Isaiah 9 is one of those prophecies that lists some of those incredible names. Wonderful Counselor literally means He has extraordinary counsel. He is the omniscient, or all knowing one who has counsel beyond all earthly wisdom. He is Mighty God. His power is unmatched and unrivaled. He is Everlasting Father. Now, how can the Son also be the Father? Well, that’s what makes Him awesome; He is beyond comprehension. Jesus is ontologically the same as the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, three in one. Hear Oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. We worship one God who eternally exists in three equal Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with Jesus being of the same identity as the Father. Lastly, here Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace. When asked what we need in the world today many influential people will answer, “we need peace.” Well, there is no peace apart from the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ! Only He can give peace to your heart this Christmas season, and every season for that matter. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” This Christmas, may we find our safety in the name of Jesus!
A few years ago the infamous leader of Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez, created a new cabinet position in His socialist government called “the minister of supreme happiness.” His job was to spread good will relations around the country. Hey, guess what? Jesus is the minister of supreme holiness! This Christmas no matter what the world does just call on the name of Jesus. Worship Him as your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and your Prince of Peace!