Jesus, the Counselor

Jesus, the Counselor! We don’t often think of Jesus as being “the Counselor.” Yet that is one of the names ascribed to Him in Isaiah 9:6. Corinne explains why.

The Hectic Season of Christmas

It is quite easy, during such a hectic season, to find oneself mindlessly zoning in and out of reality.  We spend the entire day or week dashing around from place to place, that when we do find time to reflect on it, everything seems like a hazy blur.  Have we gained anything from this?

Isaiah 9:6 “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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  A counselor can be defined as one who gives counsel, or advice.  A counselor is a teacher, one who provides guidance in a particular area of one’s life.  Jesus was a counselor, for He was called “Rabboni,” which means “teacher” (Mark 10:51, John 3:2, 20:16).

Jesus, The Counselor

There are many instances where our Lord taught, or provided wisdom and counsel during his adult ministry.  Yet He was even a counselor during His youth.  Mary and Joseph went frantically looking for Him after they lost track of Him on their way home from Jerusalem one Passover.  When they found Him, he replied “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”  (Luke 2:49).

No Ordinary Child

Had this been any ordinary child, we might have regarded this as rudeness or arrogance.  So we might understand when initially, “they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.” (Luke 2:50).  But this Jesus was no ordinary child.  Eventually, Mary remembered this, especially when she noticed his obedient behavior on the trip home (Luke 2:51), for she “treasured up all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)

God Calling Through the Blur

Had she and Joseph forgotten what the angels had told them?  Had they forgotten about the miracles throughout His birth and young childhood?

The shepherds, the magi, the total strangers showering Him with gifts and proclaiming that they had seen the Messiah? It was as if Jesus had been challenging them, “Did you not know? Of all people, have you forgotten?” Yet while Mary did not understand at first, once she stopped and reflected, then she learned.

Has God been calling us through our hazy blur?  While it is natural to react to events as they happen, we’d do best, in the midst of our busy lives, to stop, reflect, and learn what our Counselor has to teach us.

What are your thoughts about Christmas? Please feel free to contact us with any prayer requests!