Jesus: Our Wonderful Counselor

Life has a way of putting us in some very challenging situations. I can think of few things that we need more these days than good counsel in our lives. I am convinced that with technology we have an abundance of counselors available. We have endless sources of information that tell us how to think, how to feel, and how to deal with life’s challenges. Judging by the number of mystical fortune tellers that exist in and around our community, we know that many people today are seeking spiritual answers to life’s greatest challenges. Thankfully, we have access to the one that Isaiah described as our “Wonderful Counselor.”

As beautiful as that phrase is in English, in the Old Testament times, “wonderful counselor” was specifically used to describe a king’s most trusted advisor. The word “wonderful” in that context does not just mean very good, pleasant, or desirable. The original meaning of the term is full of wonder, astonishing, amazing, supernatural, or something that evokes awe. Isaiah is saying that this coming king will be a counselor like none other. He would be a “wonder of a counselor” whose wisdom will amaze and astonish. This counsel would go far beyond any human wisdom.

Jesus offers to give us the best type of counsel. His counsel stands out because it often directly contradicts the traditional wisdom of this world. We live in a society that tells us we must protect, defend, and fight. Jesus taught that sometimes strength lies in weakness, victory in surrender, and life in death. The question we must ask ourselves today is, where and from whom do we seek counsel? There are plenty of options available – we have to choose wisely.

Expectantly,

Shawn

P.S. Please join me in praying for Abbie and Jon-Eric Eliker and their family as they mourn the loss of Abbie’s father, Edwin Barnes. Read his obituary here.