Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7; Romans 11:32-36; Matthew 7:24-29
Wonderful Counselor
What is in a name? Why do we call some people by a nickname or a title? While we might say it’s just for fun or it’s required due to politeness, we understand that those names actually mean something. There’s a reason why some nicknames stick or why we use titles instead of someone’s given name. These names, titles, and nicknames all tell us more about the person. We come to know someone’s character more by what others call them. Consider all the common titles we use on a regular basis: pastor, president, Mr. or Mrs., and so on. Every one of these tells us a little more about someone than what we would have known. Whether it be a title related to their job, or marital status, or linked with a personal story. For our theme for our Advent midweek series is “His name shall be called…” where we consider all the various names and titles given to Jesus, particularly from Isaiah. As we read tonight, there’s no shortage of titles ascribed to Jesus or the Messiah throughout the pages of Scripture. While we understand the basics of who Jesus is and what he does, there’s yet a greater wealth of information that we don’t often contemplate. What type of savior is he? Is that all he does? How do we relate to him now? It’s these types of questions and many others that will give us a new appreciation for our savior and greater hope in his work on our behalf.
Tonight, his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor! We’re told that Jesus shall be our counselor. He’s the one we can go to for advice. He’s the one who will hear our story and speak his comforting word. For when all else fails in this world, we have one who knows us intimately and gives the greatest advice. For let us learn tonight:
OUR WONDERFUL COUNSELOR CARES FOR OUR SORROWS AND TEACHES US THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE!
I.
There are few things worse than receiving bad advice in life. Whether it was given innocently or not, bad advice can cause us greater troubles and heartache. For consider the types of people you go to for advice in life. Maybe it’s your parents, a sibling or other family member, a good friend, a boss, or so on. They might have your best interest at heart, but do they always know what they’re talking about? Do they always know the answer to all your problems? Probably not. For there are those problems that many people face that no matter how many people we ask for help and advice, we can never seem to get the right answer or the right solution. For who shall be the counselor of the counselor? Hence, Jesus says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock,” Matthew 7:24. Yes, it should be pretty clear that the best advice comes from Jesus or God. Only he can help us build upon a solid foundation.
Yet, do we go to him for counsel? Do we seek out our Lord’s wisdom when we’re in trouble? Do we give our heart over to the Lord so that he may help us? So often, the answer to that is no. For we’re bombarded with all other types of advice and counsel from our world and even from Satan that sounds more appealing in our ears. Thus, Jesus also said, “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand,” Matthew 7:26. We can often hear our Lord’s word, but we consider it more difficult. We’d rather hear the advice of our world that tells us everything we want to hear. That you’re a good person. You deserve to be taken care of 24/7. People should come to you for advice! Do whatever makes you happy. For never was there a greater poison in our ears then such sentiments. Thus, when we’ve exhausted all such wisdom of our world and find ourselves still hurting, where shall we turn? As Paul writes, “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Romans 11:34. Then we learn that the only place we have to turn is Jesus.
II.
Indeed, Jesus alone is our Wonderful Counselor. He’s the one whom we can run to in times of trouble. He’s the one who has all the answers and can solve every problem. He alone gives us the advice that leads to eternal life! Consider then how he becomes our wonderful counselor. Is it not by right of his incarnation, that he comes to dwell with us? Yes, he comes to live just as we are, oppressed by sin, bombarded by the counsel of Satan, and slaves to death. Jesus endures every trial and temptation that we have known so that he may show us how to overcome it. As Isaiah wrote, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined,” Isaiah 9:2. The advice of our world, of Satan has left us in darkness, trying to feel our way to eternity, yet walking towards death. But Jesus has come and shown a light on the path. He has revealed all that is necessary for eternal life. And it isn’t just for the “elite”, the “do-gooders”. It’s for everyone. It’s for you and me, for rich and poor, for every nation, tribe, and peoples. Because Jesus didn’t come to be counselor for a few. He’s the Wonderful Counselor for all people!
We have a Wonderful Counselor who cares for our sorrows so that he became incarnate for us. He cares so much that he wanted to walk beside us in our own flesh, speaking his very words of comfort and hope! But he doesn’t stop there, he also teaches us the way to eternal life. For what better counselor is there than one who leads by example? Jesus teaches us what is important in life by doing it himself for us. Yes, not just first, not as a means of us copying him. No, he does it for us. He’s born for our sake so that he may die for us also. And this makes him our Wonderful Counselor. Just as he became incarnate for us, so too, he goes to the cross on our behalf so that he may speak comfort into our ears. He may solve our problems and hand us the solution of faith that we can cling to forever!
Let us go to the one who alone has the words of eternal life. Let us bring all our struggles, challenges, and pain before our Wonderful Counselor that he may lead and guide us onto the way of eternal life! In Jesus’ name. Amen!