“….His name shall be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
I mentioned in yesterday’s article that in some translations “wonderful” and “counselor” are translated as “wonderful counselor.” I chose to separate the two, but of course Jesus is a “wonderful counselor.” The Hebrew word that is translated “counselor” can also be translated “advisor.” However we might translate the word, it means that Jesus knows more than we do and can counsel, or advise us, about our lives. I want to show three ways that Christ’s counsel is not only good for us, but is necessary for us to live as we should. His counsel is always wise. I pointed out yesterday about Jesus’ perfection. His counsel is also perfect. It is so important that we follow His counsel that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our decisions. . We might say that Jesus has us covered with wise counsel if we will just pay attention to His leadership. All of us could give examples how we messed up when we failed to follow His counsel. Which leads me to: His counsel will make us better people. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us that we should love our enemies. I think that we can agree that to do this would make us better people. He told us that the world will know we belong to Him if we love one another. (John 13:35) Loving one another will make us better human beings. We should strive to be better human beings, not to make us self-righteous, but to make us better witnesses. The world needs for us to follow the counsel of Jesus…period. His counsel will lead us to righteousness. In Psalm 23:3b, David wrote: “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” This is the path that Jesus wants us to take. The path of righteousness is not always easy, and sometimes we just plain fail, but it is a path that we need to follow.. Jesus is, or can be, your counselor. Surrender your life to His leadership. Bro. Joe
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“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 is perhaps the most often quoted prophecy about the Messiah. I will share with you the description that the prophecy gives us of Jesus. The first description that we will consider is "Wonderful." (I am aware that other translations of this text translate this as "wonderful counselor." He is that, but the description of wonderful also stands alone in describing Jesus.) Jesus is wonderful in His person. In Luke 2:52 Luke described Jesus as He grew from childhood to adulthood: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Jesus acquitted Himself well in his dealings with people. We do not know much about His childhood, but we can assume from Luke’s description that He was a winsome person. As to His wisdom, in Luke 2:41ff, we are told that He impressed learned Jewish scholars in the temple in Jerusalem. In verse 47, we are told that “they were amazed at His understanding and answers.” Jesus is wonderful in His perfection. We read about Him in Hebrews 4:15 that: “For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (I added the italics.) Jesus did what no other human being has ever done; He lived without sinning. The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) The amazing thing was that our wonderful Savior “was tempted in all points like as we are…” There is no temptation that we have not faced that Jesus did not face - “yet without sin…” Jesus is wonderful in His purpose. He came in the flesh and lived through the temptations and trials of life not just to prove that He could do it. He did it in order to save us. Here is what Paul wrote about Him in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For (God) has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” It is still His purpose to save all who come to Him in faith. All who have trusted Jesus as thier Savior over the last two thousand years have experienced Him as "Wonderful." It is my prayer that you know Him as your Wonderful Savior. Bro. Joe “And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
My first post on Christmas this year is not from Matthew or Luke, but from John. John does not record the pageantry of Christmas like Matthew and Luke, but he does give us the Christmas narrative in just one verse. What John does is give us the theological significance of the coming of Christ into the world. I will illustrate what I mean in the post. John points out that the “word was made flesh.” This, of course, is about the incarnation, or the infleshment, of the Son of God. The Good News Bible, which had some success in the late sixties and early seventies, translated this as “the word was made a human being.” While I was not exactly carried away with that particular translation of the Bible, I thought that this translation made a vivid point about the word becoming flesh. He was made flesh through the virgin birth, as predicted in Isaiah 7:14. It also stands out that when the word was made flesh, His crib was a manger – a feed trough. The miracle was that God came down to man – period. John points out that He “dwelt among us.” This is a reference to the fact that Jesus lived a normal human existence in a family. The family that Jesus came to was a common family, a carpenter’s family. He lived a common life among common people. This is good news for all of us common people, for Jesus identified with us in His coming. Jesus experienced life in every way, except for sin. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are , yet without sin.” It has to be comfort to us that our Savior understands our struggles. In a parenthetical statement, John informs us that “we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” Of course, we can refer to the great miracles that Jesus did, such as, walking on water, turning water into wine, healing the infirm, stilling a storm, etc. John, however, along with Peter and James, beheld His glory at the transfiguration. This had to be a life-changing experience for these three disciples of Jesus. Thank God that it was recorded in the Gospels for us. What happened there was indescribable, but it did show forth the great glory of Jesus. It is my opinion that they got a glimpse of a heavenly vision of the Son of God. No one else has seen Jesus like this, but one day all believers will. John shared that Jesus was “full of grace and truth.” In John 14:6, Jesus referred to Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life.” He revealed the truth about God in His teachings that are recorded in the New Testament for us. He revealed the grace of God by His treatment of people, which is also recorded in the New Testament for us. The New Testament makes it plain that Jesus treated all people the same, the rich and the poor. Jesus healed poor people, like Bartimaeus; He healed rich people like Jairus’ daughter, who He actually raised from death. He walked among the poor and the rich. One of His most famous conversions was Zacchaeus, who was a wealthy tax collector. Indeed, Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, was “full of grace and truth.” I understand that we usually think of the Christmas story in terms of shepherds and Wise Men, which Matthew and Luke wrote about, but John, in his usual fashion, got right to the point of who and what the incarnate Son of God was and is. Bro. Joe Note: This is a post that I put on Weebly last year. If you have already read it, I invite you to read it again. If you are new to CouchPotatoRedux, I hope that you will enjoy it and be challenged by it.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…" Here we are in the midst of another Christmas season. I remember that when I was a youngster it seemed like it took forever for Christmas to get here, but now it comes so quickly that I hardly have time to celebrate it before it is gone. But that is enough of my complaining. The purpose of this article is to share with you the meaning of Christmas. First, it means that the time was right on God’s timetable for the Messiah to come into the world. Galatians 4:4-5 reveals to us that “When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Those two verses are loaded with meaning and to fully explain them would take more space than I can take just now. Suffice it to say that Jesus was born into this world at just the right time. Why? Because God said that the time was right. At that time all of the Old Testament prophecies about Christ and types of Christ were fulfilled. Our text from Isaiah 9 is a good example of what I mean. Revelation 13:8 refers to Jesus as “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” In 1 Peter 1:20 Peter wrote: "He (Christ) was chosen before the foundation of the world..." This means that it had been God’s plan even before time began that the “Lamb” would be slain for us. As always, I will confess that I cannot explain why it had to be this way. If that is the way God wanted to save our souls, we need to just thank Him. Second it means what I have alluded to above, that Christmas means that because Jesus came into the world, we can be saved from our sins. Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is pervasive in this world, and we are defenseless against it except for Jesus. Romans 3:24 completes the thought that was begun in Romans 3:23: “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” “Redemption” is a word from ancient law courts that meant that a slave had been bought out of slavery. Because of Jesus we no longer have to be slaves of sin. We can be forgiven because Jesus came into this world, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected and lives forever to intercede for us and to save us. Because of this we can come to Jesus for forgiveness of our sins and we will receive it. At least that’s what 1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus is “faithful and just” to forgive us for our sins.“Faithful” means that He will always forgive us, and “just” means that He, and He alone, is qualified to forgive us for our sins. Third, Christmas means that we can live better lives. We do not have to wallow in sin. Look around you at the devastation that sin has caused in this world and be grateful that God provided the means for us to not be ruled by it. We will always have to deal with sin as long as we are on this earth, but we do not have to be ruled by it. Sin promises all kinds of pleasures, but it only ends up bringing destruction into people’s lives. Thank God that in His infinite wisdom, He has provided a way for us to escape the prison that sin creates. Because of Jesus we can cease to do those things which are detrimental to our spiritual, mental and physical well-being. Because of Jesus we can begin to do those things that will bring real satisfaction in life. I have tried it both ways in my life, and I have found that the Jesus way is better. Obviously,Christmas means more than what I have written here, but what I have written should be sufficient to help you have a merry Christmas. Do not worry, as some have, that December 25 is not the real birthday of Jesus. We are celebrating the fact that He was born, not when He was born. Just celebrate that, “Unto us a child is born..." Bro. Joe “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
A paradox is a seeming contradiction. It is something that is true, yet defies human reason. Christmas certainly presents us with paradoxes, for the Son of God coming to earth to live as a human being defies human reason. Take a look at some of these Christmas paradoxes. Sanctuary in a Stable If the Son of God should come to earth, surely He would be born in a mansion or a palace. After all, there should be nothing but the best offered to the Lord of the universe. This was not what happened. His parents could not find a room in the inn; therefore, He was born in a stable. The stable became a sanctuary for the “word made flesh.” This is a paradox, but it should not seem strange to those of us who read and believe the Bible and serve God daily. Haven’t you discovered that God is full of surprises? What is the significance of this “sanctuary in a stable”? Christ became flesh for all people. In His birth, Christ identified with the worlds lowest as well as with the worlds highest. His birth in a stable tells us that no one is beneath, or beyond, His saving grace. The modest family to which Christ was born tells us the same thing, as did the modest lifestyle that He lived as an adult. Christ identifies with all people, not just the rich and famous. No level of society is beneath, or beyond, His reach or His love. You have heard that “the ground is level at the foot of the cross.” We can add to that “the ground is level at the foot of the manger.” Majesty in a Manger A manger is an animal’s feeding trough. God incarnate had a feeding tough for a cradle. Jesus hallowed a simple feeding trough. The King of kings was “wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.” This is really what we call a paradox. What is the significance of “majesty in a manger”? The King of kings does not rule in human majesty and power; He rules in love and humility and represents God's majesty and power. This was illustrated for us in John 13. The King of kings, who was “laid in a manger,” washed His disciple’s feet. This really surprised them. In fact, Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet, but Jesus told Peter that if He did not wash his feet, he would have no part with Him. What was true of the King of kings is also supposed to be true of His subjects. In John 13:13-14, Jesus told His disciples: “You call me master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” The disciples had visions of ruling and reigning with the Messiah, but He told them to “wash one another’s feet.” They, and all believers, will one day rule with the King of kings, but all of us must go by way of “majesty in a manger,” not by way of worldly power, fame and fortune. The Consequences of the Child’s Birth This child, born in such lowly circumstances, is the Savior of the world. Joseph was told in Matthew 1:21: “Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” This tiny baby would one day break the bonds of sin and death and save all of those who would come to Him by faith. This is what we call a paradox. The significance of this paradox is that as a consequence of Christ’s lowly birth, humble life, excruciating crucifixion and magnificent resurrection, all who come to Him by faith are saved and enabled to live the abundant life here to live with Him in heaven forever. God’s paradox is our hope. As you celebrate Christmas, thank Jesus for His “sanctuary in a stable,” His “majesty in a manger” and for the consequences of His birth. Bro. Joe “And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
People celebrate Christmas in many different ways. It is viewed by many as a time for family and friends to get together. It is celebrated by the giving and receiving of gifts. It is celebrated, if that is the right word, by joining the crowds at the shopping malls across the country. I am not being critical here, because I enjoy some of these secular activities surrounding Christmas as well. But the coming of Christ into the world is not a secular event that is to be celebrated during one season of the year. If you know Christ as your Savior, it is a daily celebration of what He has done for you. I don’t mean to imply that I am the only “expert” on knowing how to really celebrate the Christ event, but I hope that you will find my thoughts enlightening, and that they will enable you have a merrier Christmas. We should celebrate Christmas in a spirit of thanksgiving for what God has done for us in Jesus. The angel announced to Joseph concerning the birth of Jesus: “And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Saving us from sin is the stated purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world. Jesus did many mighty works that inform us about His deity, but these mighty works were not the main purpose of His coming. He came to “save His people from their sins.” Jesus’ saving us from our sins has to do, not just for this life, but for all eternity. Since the Garden of Eden, sin has been what has been wrong with the world, and the Bible plainly tells us the story of the devastation of sin. All we have to do is look around us to see the devastation of sin. We can point to our own battles in life that have to do with sin. When we realize the seriousness of sin in our own lives, we should celebrate all the more because Jesus saved us from it, and we should be thankful for it. We should celebrate Christmas in a true spirit of giving. Christmas is all about giving. John 3:16 tells us that, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” When the Magi visited the family of Jesus, we are told: “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” My guess is that this is where the idea of exchanging gifts at Christmas came from. What is a true spirit of giving? It is not a spirit of “getting” – if you get my drift. We are reminded in Acts 10:35 about what a “true spirit” of giving is: “I (Paul) have shown unto you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.”I think that a “true spirit” of giving is a spirit of excitement over the opportunity to give rather than to receive. We should celebrate Christmas in a genuine spirit of worship, adoration and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ for what His coming has meant to the world, and what His coming has meant to us. Again, we should emulate the Magi, who when they went into the house and saw the child Jesus with His mother Mary, “they fell down and worshipped Him.” All they knew about Jesus was what they had read. We know much more about Jesus, which is why we should certainly follow the Magi’s example and worship Him. Hopefully, you know what it means to know Jesus as your Savior. Hopefully, you know what it means to have a hope in this life that transcends anything that the world can give. Hopefully, you know what it means to experience His love on a daily basis. There are countless reasons to worship Him. As you celebrate Christmas this year, thank Jesus for His coming to save us from sin, give in the true spirit of giving that it is “more blessed to give than to receive," and worship Him for who and what He is in your life. Bro. Joe |
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