JESUS is our ETERNAL FATHER

eternal (adj): having infinite duration; everlasting

father (noun): a man who gives care and protection to someone or something; dad, daddy, papa

“For a child has been born–for us! The gift of a son–for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings…” Isaiah 9:6-7 MSG

I get a little confused about Jesus being called the Father.  My simplistic understanding of the Trinity is that God is the Father, Jesus is the Son, and the Holy Spirit is the powerful presence of God in us and with us.

But here is another example of God’s thoughts being so much higher than mine. In his infinite understanding and wisdom, he knows exactly what his people need all the time.

The people that Isaiah was writing to were discouraged. They were desperate for a strong and benevolent leader. They had grown from the immediate family of Abraham into a huge nation. Even though God was their patriarch and their ultimate authority, many different people were ruling and influencing them. They were accountable to judges, kings, governors, elders, priests, and more. Some good, and some evil and self-serving.

God knew.

He knew that in all of the change, the oppression, and the frustration, his people just wanted to be protected. They wanted to be cared for, provided for, safe.

He knew that they were asking for a king who would liberate them and restore their hope.

And he knew that what they were really longing for was more of him.

And God still knows that about us.

He knows that we all need a good father who will wrap his arms of love and patience and strength around us. A father who will defend us and feed us and give us what we need. A father who will teach us how to love and serve and grow by living it out for us.

That’s what God gave us when he gave us Jesus.

He sent a humble, helpless baby to show us his Father-heart.

He sent us a friend–a brother–to bring us into the family and walk beside us.

He sent the King of Kings to reign high above all else in our life.

And he sent his precious Word to speak truth to our fearful, needy, overwhelmed souls.

Forever.

Through Jesus, God showed us that we have an eternal, everlasting, never-abandoning-us Father. Because he lived and died for us, we get to experience this perfectly protected, grace-filled relationship for the rest of our lives and for endless days beyond.

INVITE HIM IN

Ask Jesus to calm you, to reassure you that you are his precious child. No matter how hard it is to see right now; he is protecting you. He is leading you as he walks beside you, and he has everything you need. He holds the whole world in his mighty, gentle hands today, tomorrow, and forever; and that includes you.