Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
“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 … Everlasting Father …” (Isaiah 9:6).
Through these Advent midweeks, we have been going over the four titles of Jesus from Isaiah 9:6.
We have learned that Jesus is the “Wonderful Counselor,” as He gave God’s counsel about our sin and His death on the cross for our salvation, which is foolishness to those who refuse to believe Him and His counsel. But for us who have been saved, the Holy Spirit has given us faith to rejoice in Jesus’ counsel as the power of God for our salvation.
We also learned that Jesus is “Mighty God.” Jesus is no mere human being. If He was just a mere human, then He could not have been our Savior and then we are still under the curse of our sins. Thanks be to God that Jesus is “Mighty God” who took upon Himself our human flesh to suffer and die on the cross in our place of punishment and then three days later conquered the power of death for us by His bodily resurrection.
Tonight, we will focus on the third title given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6: “Everlasting Father.” You may have no issue with understanding “Wonderful Counselor” and “Mighty God”, but this third title can be a challenge. Afterall, Jesus is the Son of God, not God the Father. So, let’s focus on the word “Father.”
Scripture teaches us that there is only one God who exists in three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the divine mystery known as the Holy Trinity.
Even though Jesus is One with the Father, He is not the Father Himself. Jesus and the Father are two distinct Persons who are unified as One God with the Holy Spirit.
So, what does Isaiah mean when he says that Jesus will be called “Everlasting Father”?
Well, by that word “Father” Isaiah means that Jesus has made us His people and rules over us like a loving father.
Think of it this way. Sometimes people refer to George Washington as the “father” of our nation. They don’t mean that Washington is the literal father, but that he helped found the United States and he ruled over us as our first president. In a similar way, the word “father” describes the fact that Jesus rules over us and all creation with authority and power, above every name that is named. The government – both spiritual and temporal – is upon His shoulder.
In Colossians 1, God’s Word says, “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-16).
So, the One conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary is the Creator of all things and He rules over all things!
Now, this is very good news for us who believe in Jesus as our Savior from sin, death, and eternal damnation! You see, the title “Father” reminds us that Jesus made us to be new creations by saving us from our sins and reconciling us back to God. Also, this title “Father” teaches us that Jesus rules over all things – even when it appears that evil people have all the power in this fallen world.
It may appear that Jesus has no power or control at all when we pay attention to the news on tv, radio, internet or podcasts. It appears more like evil people keep getting away with evil: injustice, chaos, misery, and death.
But during such times, we must always remember that Jesus is in control even when circumstances seem to call that into question. You see, Jesus has always been in control – even when He was an infant in the womb of the virgin Mary.
So, just like children don’t always understand what their father does, we don’t always understand why Jesus rules in the way He does.
Nevertheless, Jesus promises to work in all things – even in trials and suffering – to bring about good for His people and glory for His Kingdom.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, nothing happens apart from Jesus’ will, and He will save all who repent of their sin and cling to Him. Jesus is your Savior-King, and He rules you as a loving father.
But what about that first word of tonight’s title – “Everlasting”? What does “Everlasting” mean? Well, “Everlasting” reminds us that Jesus is not just one more earthly ruler whose reign begins at some point in history and then ends at some point in history.
In Micah 5, God’s Word says: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me the One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
So, what does this mean? The Prophet Micah is saying that the future Savior who will be born in Bethlehem already exists! This Promised Savior exists before He is born! How can this be? Micah answers that too! Jesus is the eternal Son of God from ancient days!
Jesus is not like the rulers of earthly governments whose reigns have a beginning and then come to an end. Jesus is the eternal Creator! He is the Everlasting Father! His rule never ends!
Isaiah writes: “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forever more” (Isaiah 9:7).
What Isaiah is saying is that there was never a time when Jesus was not in control. So, even when Jesus was lying in a manger; even when Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was still the “Everlasting Father.”
Jesus – eternal God – became man and was born to save us from our sins. Through faith in Him, we are cleansed from our guilt, and we are at peace with God.
Even though sin and evil abound all around us, Jesus is still the Everlasting Father! Jesus still rules His Kingdom! And one day, He will return in visible power and glory! Everyone will see that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father” – even those heathens who thought they were in control. On that day, we, who are in Christ, will rejoice that we get to live forever as citizens of Jesus’ Kingdom where there will be no more sin, and what it begets: pain and death.
Until that day of Christ’s coming, we live by faith – faith in God’s Word. Today, Jesus’ present reign as “Everlasting Father” is hidden from those who refuse to trust God’s Word. But for you and me who trust God’s Word, we can be sure that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father”!
On the Epiphany of Our Lord, the Magi traveled from the East to worship the “Everlasting Father” who was being held by the virgin Mary. How could this toddler be the “Everlasting Father” – the eternal Creator and Ruler of all things? For as the angel said to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Like the Magi, we believe what we cannot see or understand.
You see, each time you receive the Lord’s Supper at the Divine Service, the Everlasting Father gives you His own body and blood to assure you that your sins are forgiven, and you are given strength for your weak faith. We don’t understand how, but He does it!
Tonight, God’s Word has assured you that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father” and that you are a citizen in His eternal Kingdom of mercy, love, and life. You can leave this place – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – and now serve the Lord with your lives knowing that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father” and that you are secure in His hands. Amen!
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +
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