God’s Christmas Card #6: Titles, Part Two

God sent you a Christmas card that reads, “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 card announced God’s Christmas gift God to the whole world – Jesus Christ. But, like any gift, you must personally accept the gift. In this case, you do that by acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of A Savior – and invite Jesus to be your personal Savior.

Everlasting
The word “everlasting” means “perpetuity, forever, ongoing future, and continuous existence.”  It is God’s system of time – time without a beginning and without any end. Someday we will be with God forever – an everlasting existence with Him and all of God’s children.

As a child it seemed like Christmas would never arrive. The days went on forever until Santa would come. It seems that it’s taking a long time for Jesus Christ to come, but one day it will happen. Then we will be with Him forevermore – from everlasting to everlasting.

Father
The Hebrew meaning of this term is “head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan.” It is a term of respect and honor. Jesus is our Founder, Leader, Lord, and Friend. As Father the Triune God provides, protects, nourishes, and corrects those under His care.

It is no different as a human father. I have two adult children who are both married and on their own. I am their father – the head of our family, the patriarch of our clan. When my children were small I actively provided, protected, nourished, and corrected them for their benefit. But as my children have become adults, my relationship has become more of a friend. In fact, it’s amazing how wise I’ve become in the past decade since they were teenagers. As we grow in our faith and knowledge of the Lord, He becomes more of a Friend to us – in addition to His others roles. And the friendship is abiding, rewarding, and ongoing.

Prince
The term “prince” means “a preeminent person in any class or group.” The role is that of the one who is in waiting. Jesus is waiting to return to earth, reign over it, and to receive His rightful praise and adoration as the King of King and Lord of Lords.

We don’t have a system of royalty in the United States. About the closest comparison is the Vice President of the United States. The primary role of this office – the only constitutional role – is to be ready to assume the highest position of leadership.

Philippians 2:6-7 clarifies that Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” But after His victory over sin and death, “… God exalted him to the highest place  and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Peace
The Hebrew for peace means “completeness, soundness, welfare, safety, tranquility, and contentment.” Peace is both internal and external. It is an inner sense of well-being and an outer reality of security. Jesus Christ represents and provides both dimensions of peace.

In 2003 my wife had a catastrophic stroke. Over the three days that her life hung in the balance I felt a sense of inner peace that was genuine, yet inexplicable. I honestly could sense His Presence and the awareness that He was holding me in the palm of His hand. Although my shock was real and intense, I had an inner sense that everything would be alright. God was there; God cared; and God would get me through it all.

As the Christmas season concludes. May you experience God’s peace in every area of your life. And may 2012 be a year that draws you ever closer to the Lord with each passing day.

© 2012 Designed to Serve®