Isaiah 9:6 — “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Price of Peace.” (NASB)
The prophet Isaiah refers to the coming Messiah (whom we know to be Jesus Christ) as Eternal Father. What does the Bible reveal about Jesus being eternal? Why is He referred to as the Father? Let’s look at these two aspects separately and see what more we can find to love and worship about our Savior this Christmas season!
Eternal
I am so grateful to attend NCC and to be blessed with amazing pastoral teaching. Pastor Mark always finds a way to challenge me, and I thank God for him! But I also appreciate any opportunity I have to receive the Word of the Lord from Dick Foth, so imagine my delight when he spoke on December 4 about Jesus being eternal! What perfect timing!
The Hebrew word for eternal used in Isaiah 9:6 is ad, and this is the only time in the Old Testament this particular word is used. It means “continually, all, perpetual, forever.” I don’t know about you, but for a finite human like me, this concept of “eternal” is difficult to grasp. How do I understand Jesus Christ as my Eternal Father when I am limited by my finite earthly perceptions of time and space?
By way of a refresher, let’s look back at the passage Dick Foth spoke on last week. This passage underscores that Jesus, the Word (John 1:1, 14), is eternal.
1 John 1:1-4 — “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life — and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us — what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.”
Did you catch that? John is saying that Jesus is eternal life. He was with God from the beginning, and He will be forever. Paul indicates that Jesus is “blessed forever” (2 Cor. 11:31) and the writer of Revelation, also presumed to be John, reveals that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15b). If there is one thing Scripture reinforces over and over, it is that Christ’s kingdom is eternal!
Jesus Christ will reign forever. But does this prove that He is eternal? What attributes of His character are everlasting? Isaiah prophesied that Jesus’ salvation would be forever and His righteousness would not wane (Isa. 51:6, 8). The author of Hebrews refers to Jesus as our eternal “high priest” (Heb. 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21; quoting Psalm 110:4). As you recall, the responsibility of the high priest was to enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle each year on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the people of Israel collectively. Jesus is our High Priest forever — it is His eternal responsibility to reconcile us to God so that we may be “at one” with Him.
Jesus, being God Himself Incarnate, has no beginning and His dominion will know no end. Take encouragement from this promise — “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Even though we no longer see Him in the flesh, He has given us the Holy Spirit, our Helper, who will be with us forever (John 14:16). And some day, we will see our Jesus face to face (Rev. 22:4), and we will have eternity to gaze upon Him. Hallelujah!
Father
Isaiah certainly believed that Jesus is eternal, but he also prophesied that His name would be Father. We have already examined Scriptural evidence that shows Jesus’ unity with God the Father (John 1:1-14; John 10:30). But how is Jesus our Father?
For those of you who may not have had a positive father image in your earthly lives, it may be difficult to embrace Jesus as your Father. But He is definitely worthy of that name. Like a good parent, Jesus is loving, paternal, concerned, tender, faithful and wise. He is a guardian, a protector, a provider. He loves you and values you so much that He gave up His own life to give you life eternal.
Romans 8:15-17 — “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if we indeed suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”
How are we adopted into God’s eternal family? The blood of Jesus Christ secured our place as heirs of the Father. When you believe in Jesus, you have an Eternal Father. Do you feel orphaned? Do you feel like no one cares? Do your insecurities weigh you down and rob you of joy? Take heart! You have One who always loves. Jesus Christ is always concerned and committed to what is best for you.
Jesus Christ is our Eternal Father, and like a caring and loving parent, He has our best interests at heart. He has even provdied for our own eternal life! (John 3:16). John encourages us that even though the world and its lusts are passing away, “the one who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). Eternity is ours for the taking, courtesy of our Eternal Father! May your joy be complete as you celebrate your Eternal Father, Jesus Christ, this holiday season!
1 Peters 5:10-11 — “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARAH!
Heather Z
December 14th, 2005