EVERLASTING

FATHER!

- Jeevan Babu Olesu

"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." - Isaiah 9:6

What does it mean that Jesus is called Everlasting Father? We know that Jesus is part of the trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. There is only One God, but He has these three parts or functions. Jesus Christ came to this Earth to show us God the Father. He said to Philip, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me. The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves” (John 14:9-11).

Jesus used many parables for the people to understand His teachings and the Kingdom of God. One of the parables He used was the parable of the prodigal son. He used this parable to show the great love of the Father. A man had two sons. The younger son asked for his inheritance while his father was still alive. This was a great insult, but the loving father granted his younger son’s request. The son went and squandered everything.

He spent all of it and ended up penniless and hungry. He realized that even his father’s servants were in a better condition than his own. He chose to go back to his father, apologize, and seek a place among the servants there. Then he went back to his father. The Bible says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). What a Father! He could have been insulted and refused to allow his son back. But instead he ran to him and felt great compassion for him. He chose love and forgiveness, not anger and revenge. How Great is God’s love for us! We have all been lost like the prodigal son, and God has had compassion on us and longs to welcome us back to Himself.

When Adam sinned, our relationship with our Heavenly Father was broken. We became enemies of God. Romans 5:12 reads, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” Yet when Jesus came and died for our sins, He restored the connection through Himself. Romans 5:10 says, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Jesus death and life is our link to our Father. We cannot approach God directly. We approach Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is our bridge to our Heavenly Father. That is how Jesus is our Eternal Father. God is a holy and righteous God and cannot tolerate sin [Psalm 5:4-6]. Jesus Christ came and shed His blood to cover us so that God can look at us and see us as clean. Hebrews 7:25 reads, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” The words “always lives” shows how Jesus is our Eternal Father. But not only that, He also is our intercessor. In Hebrews 10:14 it says, “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” The word “forever” shows that the redemption Jesus gives is for all time. Not just one day, or one hour, or even one sin, but for all eternity.

While we are celebrating this Christmas season, let us keep in mind that Jesus did not remain a baby in a manger. He is also our Everlasting Father who made it possible to have a restored relationship with God the Father. We approach God the Father only through Jesus Christ. Therefore, Jesus is our Eternal Father.

Maybe you feel like the prodigal son. Maybe you have heard of God or heard something about Jesus, but you haven’t believed or come to Him. Maybe you have so many problems that you cannot even share them all with those closest to you. Jesus is our Eternal Father and like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, He is waiting for you with His arms outstretched and compassion in His eyes. Come to Him, confess what You have done, and see how warmly and lovingly He welcomes You. He is waiting my dear and precious friends, please come to Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that we may come before You through the blood and intercession of Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus that You are our Everlasting Father. Thank You for sacrificing Yourself to give us this indescribable relationship with our Heavenly Father. Thank You for having compassion on us and creating this path to Yourself. We love You. Amen.