Wonderful Counselor
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 9:6-7
He will be called Wonderful Counselor ... Isaiah 9:6
Recently I was talking with a friend who works as a therapist for a Christian counseling agency. My friend pointed out that a counselor is simply a guide and that a guide cannot lead someone where he or she does not want to go. In other words, if a person does not want to seek health and wholeness, then the counselor's words and advice will only fall on deaf ears.
In this passage we read that the promised Messiah is called Wonderful Counselor. As a counselor, he is the one who guides people to spiritual healing and a transformed life. When Jesus came into this world, he offered the most wonderful counsel--the way to new life.
One day a rich young man came to Jesus, asking how he could get eternal life. Jesus gave him good counsel: "Go, sell your possessions ... Then come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). In other words, make Jesus the priority in your life. But "when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth" (19:22). Jesus gave wonderful counsel, but the man walked away from the One who could have guided him to eternal life.
Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, guides us in paths of righteousness and in the way of everlasting life. In his words are health and healing, but we must be willing to follow him as our guide through life.
Dear Jesus, open our hearts and minds so that we may listen to your counsel and walk in your ways. May we find healing and full life in you. In your name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Joel Sheeres
Rev. Joel Sheeres is the pastor at First Christian Reformed Church in Crown Point, Indiana. He and his wife, Christine, have three children. Pastor Sheeres has previously served at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, Illinois.
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