Eternal Father - Wednesday, December 9 (Advent 2020)
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
One of the names given in the prophecy of Jesus’ birth is: “Everlasting Father.” In the Jerusalem Bible, it is translated as “Eternal Father.”
One commentary explains the meaning of the name Father given in this prophecy is to illustrate the kind of love that Almighty God feels for all mankind. “Father signifies the paternal benevolence of the perfect Ruler over a people whom He loves as his children.” In short, it means God has fatherly compassion for his people.
Jesus, the Son, in His humanity, showed the physical expression of the deep love the Father has for all humanity, including you and me. Jesus is the embodiment of this love. “For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Fathers are crucial in the life of a child. Both parents have a fundamental role in the development of a child. But children need their father to love them completely and unconditionally in order to grow healthy and emotionally strong. Sadly, this is not always true for every child. Instead, many children are abandoned, neglected, or abused by their dads, leaving deep pain and emptiness in the child.
Rick and I have worked with many of my people who struggle with this kind of pain. One young man shared that the deepest pain he carried, in addition to the sexual abuse from someone else, was the abandonment he experienced from his dad. The pain of not being loved in a good way cuts very deeply. It can leave one feeling empty and angry in their soul
But, here is the Good News: God, our Heavenly Father, can heal us from the pain of an absent earthly father. He, the Eternal Father, can fill that emptiness in our hearts with his deep and complete love! Unlike our earthly fathers, He alone can love us the way we need and long to be loved! This Christmas Season, reflect on the Father’s love for you. God came to you and sent his Son, Jesus, to be born among us to make his love real to us. Ask the Eternal Father to help you understand the fatherly compassion he has for you. Let His love heal you and bring you joy!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you love us so much you sent your Son, Jesus, to come into our world. Help me to understand, in a new and real way, how much you love me. Help me celebrate even more this Advent Season as I gain a deeper understanding of your great love for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.