“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting [Forever] Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah
9:6)
Is
it correct to think of Messiah (Jesus) as our “Everlasting (Forever)
Father”? I mean the whole trinity
formula (God, the Father; Jesus, the Son; The Holy Spirit, our
Counselor) seems to be thrown all off if Jesus (Messiah) is our Forever Father.
I understand Jesus being the Forever Son; my constant friend, confidant,
and intermediary to God, the Father – the One in charge. But Everlasting Father tends to blur the lines defining
the personalities and job functions. That is, on a human level it seems
confusing until I struggle to remember two things:
(1) God is an equal unit. All of His
unique personalities (Father, Son, Spirit) function together in perfect harmony. They’re all
on the same level of hierarchy and importance. So this passage is equating
Messiah (Jesus) as being God, the Father in the flesh as one of us (Immanuel).
(2) Father doesn’t necessarily refer
to a family patriarch, or founder, or higher-ranking official.
Sometimes a father is a caretaker or steward; one who sees to the needs and welfare of another. Think of a trusted
servant, or adviser to a high official. Like Joseph, who claims that God has made him “father
to Pharaoh” (Genesis 45:8).
I think this second usage fits the
context of Messiah’s purpose and mission most perfectly. Didn’t Jesus Himself
say that He came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)? Doesn’t
He refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10): a role of caretaker to
lesser individuals in need? And isn’t He described as being in charge of God’s
household, the church, His bride (Hebrews 2:14-18)? His ministry and atonement
at Calvary attest to His task of seeing to and meeting our spiritual needs
working on behalf of the entire God-head. After all, He was the fulfillment of
all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:19-20) and the perfect solution to man’s
sin problem.
Think of what a wonderful blessing this
promises then. God the Father, as Jesus the Son is continually looking after and
taking care of our every need by the power of His Holy Spirit living within us –
forever! As Everlasting Father, Jesus’ blood continues to cleanse those who walk
with Him in the light (1 John 1:7). As Everlasting Father, Jesus continues to
interpret our prayers (Romans 8:26) and work out good things for our benefit
(Romans 8:28). As Everlasting Father Jesus has our eternal home prepared
for our arrival in Heaven (John 14:1-3). As Everlasting Father we have the
power/strength to handle anything that comes our way (Philippians 4:13) and the
confidence to know that Satan can’t stand against us (James 4:7). The list of
blessings is literally endless since He is our Everlasting [Forever] Father.
Isn’t it time you returned to the
Father? He is longing for your return so He can celebrate (like in Jesus’ story
– Luke 15). Put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:26-27) and/or get back on
track with the Spirit and let Him guide you into all holiness. He promises to
be the perfect guardian and caretaker of your soul. And you’re promised an
eternity of blessings to experience alongside Him by doing so.
Doug
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