The Everlasting Father-King
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. – Isaiah 9:6
The Messiah’s third title, Everlasting Father, declares His pre-existence and reveals that he would be the benevolent protector of God’s people. In other words, He will forever rule in love over His redeemed people because He is the eternal King over all.
The translation of this title as Everlasting Father, even though the Messiah would be God’s Son, also calls attention to his eternal relationship within the Trinity. Luke 1:32 informs us that Gabriel revealed this to Mary, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.” But this Son of the Most High would also be from eternity, as Micah 5:2 predicted: But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.
From this title, Everlasting Father, and the fuller revelation of Christ in the New Testament, we may draw three simple truths which every true Christian must embrace. To emphasize these truths, I will direct you to look at the Gospel of John, since he is the only one of the four Gospel writers who introduces Jesus in relationship to the eternal Son of God.
EMBRACE JESUS AS ETERNAL GOD.
- Read John 1:1-18
Later in John’s Gospel, while embroiled in conflict with the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus revealed that He existed before Abraham.
- Read John 8
EMBRACE JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD WHO IS ONE WITH THE FATHER.
- Read John 10:22-31
Though distinct in personhood, Jesus is one in essence with the Father. When Jesus prayed His high priestly prayer in John 17, He revealed that He was with the Father before the world was made. “And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was” (John 17:5). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is worthy of all glory because He is eternal God and is one with the Father.
EMBRACE JESUS AS THE ONE AND ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN YOU AND THE FATHER.
- Read John 14:1-11
Meditate on the importance of the apostle’s declaration of faith in 1 Timothy 2:5.
So what?
It is fitting that the Messiah would be called the Everlasting Father, since He has always existed from eternity, He is the only way to return to the Father, and He is the benevolent King of those who belong to Him. Your response to these truths about Jesus Christ determines your eternal destiny.
- Read John 3:16-18
- Read John 3:28-36
Do you know the Jesus of Christmas? Have you embraced Him by faith?
[Adapted from last Sunday’s sermon at Cornerstone Community Church in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.]
