Everlasting Father
Isaiah 9:1-7
The Everlasting Father: Finding Hope in the Impossible
As we journey through the Advent season, our hearts turn to the miraculous story of Christmas - a tale that speaks of hope in the face of impossibility. In a world where everything seems fleeting and temporary, we find ourselves longing for something eternal, something that truly lasts. This longing leads us to explore one of the most profound titles given to Jesus Christ: the Everlasting Father.
The prophet Isaiah, writing some 700 years before the birth of Jesus, penned these powerful words:
"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 Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
This prophecy speaks of a child, a son who would embody qualities far beyond human capacity. Among these awe-inspiring titles is "Everlasting Father" - a name that carries deep significance and offers profound comfort to those who understand its meaning.
But what does it mean for Jesus to be the Everlasting Father? At first glance, this title might seem confusing. After all, isn't Jesus the Son in the Holy Trinity? The key to understanding this lies in recognizing that this title speaks not of Jesus' relationship within the Trinity, but of His relationship with us - His people.
The Hebrew term used here, "Aviad," combines two powerful concepts: "Avi" meaning father, and "Ad" meaning forever or eternity. It paints a picture of a father whose love, care, and support for His children never ends. This is not a father who abandons, forsakes, or grows weary. This is a father whose commitment is eternal, whose love is unending, and whose presence is constant.
In a world where everything wears out, breaks down, or comes to an end, the concept of something truly everlasting is revolutionary. Cars rust, shoes wear out, relationships falter, and even our own bodies are subject to the ravages of time. The Psalmist reminds us that even the earth and heavens will wear out like a garment (Psalm 102:25-26). In the face of this universal impermanence, we cry out for something - or someone - that will truly last.
The poet W.H. Auden captured this sentiment perfectly when he wrote, "Nothing that is possible can save us. We who must die demand a miracle." How true this rings in our hearts! We recognize that our own efforts, no matter how noble or determined, fall short. We need something beyond the realm of human possibility. We need a miracle.
This is where the beauty of the Christmas story shines brightest. The creator of the universe, the eternal God, chose to enter into His creation. The infinite became finite. The all-powerful became vulnerable. The all-knowing subjected Himself to the constraints of time and space. Why? Because He loves us with an everlasting love, and only He could address the impossibility of our condition.
Jesus, as the Everlasting Father, demonstrates a compassion that goes beyond our understanding. When He looked upon the crowds, harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd, He didn't respond with contempt or disgust. Instead, His heart was filled with compassion (Matthew 9:36). This is the heart of a true father - one who sees our brokenness and responds with love, empathy, and a desire to help.
The apostle John, reflecting on his personal encounters with Jesus, wrote:
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us." (1 John 1:1-2)
John emphasizes the eternal nature of Christ, calling Him the "Word of life" - the very source and embodiment of life itself. This Everlasting Father is not a distant, unknowable deity, but one who has made Himself accessible, approachable, and knowable.
As we navigate the challenges of life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by problems that seem insurmountable. We may face situations where nothing short of a miracle will suffice. It's in these moments that we're invited to turn to our Everlasting Father. He is the one who, as Romans 4:17 reminds us, "calls into existence the things that do not exist." Where sin has corroded, where life has been eaten away, He can speak new life into being.
This Christmas season, as we reflect on the miracle of the incarnation, let's allow ourselves to be filled anew with awe and wonder. The God who created the universe, who sustains all things by His powerful word, chose to enter our world as a vulnerable baby. He did this to make a way for us to know Him, to experience His fatherly love, and to offer us the gift of eternal life.
In a world that can often feel dark and hopeless, the message of Christmas shines as a beacon of hope. Isaiah prophesied, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" (Isaiah 9:2). This light is Jesus, our Everlasting Father, who offers us a love that never fails, a presence that never leaves, and a hope that never disappoints.
As we celebrate this season, let's take time to reflect on how we view God. Do we see Him as our Everlasting Father? Are we trusting in His fatherly care, even in situations that seem impossible? Let's allow the truth of His everlasting nature to sink deep into our hearts, bringing comfort, peace, and renewed hope.
And as we experience the joy of knowing our Everlasting Father, let's not keep this good news to ourselves. The Christmas season provides unique opportunities to share the hope we have. Whether it's inviting someone to a Christmas service, sharing our faith story, or simply demonstrating Christ's love through acts of kindness, we can be channels of God's everlasting love to those around us.
In this season of Advent, as we await the celebration of Christ's birth, may we find renewed strength and joy in the knowledge that we have an Everlasting Father. A Father who loves us unconditionally, who is with us always, and who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. In Him, we find the miracle we so desperately need - the impossible answer to the impossible problems of this life.