Day 2: He Knows Our Heart

Yesterday, we’ve begun with the first Title of Jesus: ‘Wonderful Counsellor’. Today, we’ll look a little bit more into that word wonderful. It's used at various times and places in the Bible. It always suggests something supernatural, something marvellous. And so, in this picture of Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor we see certain elements. First of all, it's on a supernatural level, It's above mere psychology and human counselling, however helpful that might be. Secondly, it includes discernment. Jesus sees right to the heart of every problem and every person. Thirdly, it includes direction. He has the answer. Not only does he see the problem but he offers the solution.

I want you to look with me at two pictures of Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor that are found in the gospel. The first describes the calling of his first disciple. It's recorded in Matthew 4;18-20.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Out of all the potential disciples that were there, Jesus picked on two men who were simple, plain fishermen. No great education, no association with the priestly or with the teachers of the law; just plain fishermen. But Jesus the Wonderful Counsellor saw something in those men and he knew what he could make out of them. So he said, "If you'll commit yourself to me, if you'll follow me, I'll make you fishers of men."

We need to understand the important thing in our relationship to Jesus is not what we are when we start but what he's going to make of us. And his wonderful counsel sees in each one who comes to him what they can be if they yield to him.

The second picture is the rich, young ruler in Mark 10:17-22.

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother. Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy. Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack, he said. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. At this the man's face fell, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

You see how Jesus looked right into the heart of that young man. He loved him. He wanted he best for him. But he had to tell him the truth. And he said, "I've kept all the commandments." However, interestingly enough, the commandment not to covet is not mentioned there. And Jesus saw that was just the one barrier between him and what God had for that young man: his possessions. He was bound by the material. Jesus looked right down into his heart and he said, "there's just one thing you have to do. Sell all you have and follow me." Jesus didn't say that to everybody because he knows the particular hindrance in each life. But to this young man he said, "Money and possessions are your hindrance. If you want what I have to offer, you'll have to let them go."

So, if you have a problem or a need, remember there is a Wonderful Counsellor, Jesus. His office is open 24 hours a day. Don't be afraid to go to Him!