Day 1: Wonderful Counsellor

In the coming weeks, we will study a very interesting and profound subject: Titles of Jesus’.

We need to understand that in the Bible names or titles are always significant. Every Biblical name has a specific meaning often including a title of God. And, in addition, it often indicates something special about the character or destiny of the person to whom it is given. This applies particularly to the many titles given to Jesus. Each tells us something special and important about Jesus Himself. Out of the many titles given to Jesus I've chosen certain ones to share with you in the coming weeks which, I believe, will especially bless you.

The first title of Jesus we are going to study is taken from Isaiah 9:6 where it says this:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on his shoulders; and his name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Notice how accurate this prophecy is. Two different expressions are used. It says "a child will be born," but it says, "a son will be given." You see, Jesus did not come into existence at the time of his human birth, he's eternal. He's the eternal Son of God. He was not born as the Son of God, he was given as the Son of God. But, in human he was born as a child. Do you see how accurate that is?

Now, in connection with this wonderful prophecy which is so real for us, we find that four titles are here given. Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of peace. Isn't it remarkable that this child in scripture is actually called Mighty God? Who could that be but Jesus?

The title that we will study now is Wonderful Counsellor. And, I'd like to compare with that another prophecy about the coming Messiah, also from Isaiah 11:1-2.

“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”

Later on in these devotions I'm going to take that title "Messiah" and explain what it means -- the anointed one -- but here is the prediction of the Messiah. The one on whom the Spirit of the Lord will rest in its fullness. And particularly, there are emphasized those aspects which make him the Wonderful Counsellor. The words especially to be noted here are ‘wisdom’, ‘understanding’, ‘counsel’ and ‘knowledge’.

I was in a certain place once preaching and the pastor there spoke about Jesus and he gave Him a description I'd never heard before but it stuck with me. He said, "Jesus, the man with the plan." I say amen to that! Jesus is the man with the plan. He is the counsellor. He's the one who has the answer. He's the one that can show you what to do when nobody else can show you. And, when you've come to the end of your own wits and your own resources, remember, there's a Wonderful Counsellor.