He can do it!
Deep inside we feel a longing for peace and joy, but we live today in a time that is characterized by uncertainty and lunacy. We are inquisitive and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Our world is getting more and more complicated and confused. Who knows what or who you can believe? Many world politicians feel that the rapidly changing political and economic conditions overwhelm them. We, too, are not in a position to participate in change in this increasingly complex society. There is no sense of real security at this time. Fewer people trust the judiciary. Terrorism, crime, political intrigue and corruption threaten the security of each individual.
We have long been used to continuous advertising every 30 seconds and get impatient when someone speaks to us for longer than two minutes. If we don't like something anymore, we change jobs, apartments, hobbies or spouses. It's hard to stop and enjoy the moment. Boredom overtakes us quickly because there is a restlessness deep within our personality. We worship the idols of materialism and surrender to "gods" who make us feel good by satisfying our needs and desires. In this troubled world God has revealed himself with many signs and wonders and yet many do not believe in him. Martin Luther once said that the incarnation consists of three miracles: “The first is that God became man; the second, that a virgin became a mother, and the third, that people believe this with all their hearts".
The physician Luke had investigated and written down what he had heard from Mary: “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.’” (Lk 1,30-35)The prophet Isaiah had foretold this. (Jes 7,14)Only through Jesus Christ could the prophecy be fulfilled.
The Apostle Paul wrote about Jesus' coming to the church in Corinth: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2. Kor 4,6)Let us consider what the prophet Isaiah wrote for us in the Old Testament about the essential characteristics of Christ, the “Anointed One” (Greek Messiah):
“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. Of the greatness of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will do this.” (Jes 9,5-6).
Wonderful Counselor
He is literally the “miracle counselor.” He gives us comfort and strength for all time and eternity. The Messiah himself is a “miracle.” The word refers to what God has done, not what people have done. He himself is God. This child born to us is a miracle. He reigns with infallible wisdom. He doesn't need a counselor or a cabinet; he is the counselor himself. Do we need wisdom in this hour of need? Here is the counselor worthy of the name. He doesn't get burnout. He is always on duty. He is infinite wisdom. He is worthy of faithfulness because his counsel transcends human limitations. Jesus invites all who need a wonderful counselor to come to him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt 11,28-30).
Mighty God
He is the almighty God. He is literally the "God-Hero." The Messiah is the absolutely powerful, living, true God, omnipresent and omniscient. Jesus said, "I and the Father are one." (Joh 10,30)The Messiah himself is God and capable of saving all who trust in him. Nothing less than the entire omnipotence of God is at his disposal. Whatever he sets his mind to, he can accomplish.
Everlasting Father
He is a father forever. He is loving, caring, tender, loyal, wise, a leader, provider, and protector. Psalm 103,13 We read: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him".
For those struggling to form a positive image of Fatherhood, here is the one who truly deserves that name. We can have complete security in a close, loving relationship with our eternal Father. The Apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans with these words: “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. And this means that we now share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Röm 8,15-17).
Prince of Peace
He reigns over his people with peace. His peace endures forever. He is the embodiment of peace; therefore, he reigns over his redeemed people as a prince who brings peace. In his farewell discourse before his arrest, Jesus said to his disciples, "My peace I give to you." (Joh 14,27)Through faith, Jesus comes into our hearts and gives us his perfect peace. The moment we trust him completely, he gives us this indescribable peace.
Are we looking for someone to eliminate our uncertainty and give us wisdom? Have we lost the Christ miracle? Do we feel that we live in a time of spiritual poverty? He is our miracle counsel. Let us delve into his word and listen to the wonder of his counsel.
When we believe in Jesus Christ, we trust in Almighty God. Do we feel helpless in an unsettled world that is in turmoil? Do we carry a heavy burden that we can not carry alone? Almighty God is our strength. There is nothing he can not do. He can save all who trust him.
If we believe in Jesus Christ, we have an eternal Father. Do we feel like orphans? Do we feel defenseless? We have someone who always loves us, cares for us and works for what is best for us. Our father will never leave us nor miss us. Through him we have eternal security.
If we trust in Jesus Christ, he is our Prince of Peace as our King. Are we afraid and can not rest? Do we need a shepherd in hard times? There is only one who can give us deep and lasting inner peace.
Praise be our miracle counsel, peace prince, eternal father and god hero!
by Santiago Lange
