The text for us this evening to contemplate from Isaiah, chapter nine, is one that is kind of out of place among all the other names given for Jesus. This is why I thought it was good to reflect on this today. We heard last week, Jesus being named the son that’s going to be given Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. The name that kind of stands out is Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. That term “Everlasting Father” might sound a little out of place as we contemplate Jesus all of our life, we confess the Athanasian Creed, Nicene Creed, Apostle’s Creed. We keep the distinctions between the Son and the Father and the Holy Spirit. So what’s with Isaiah today saying Jesus is going to be the Everlasting Father?
It might be odd that we would consider the name “Father” for Jesus, since, of course, He’s the Son of God. However, this passage in Isaiah is speaking to the identity of the Person of the Trinity who will be born. It is speaking about Jesus, the Person of the Trinity who will take flesh upon Himself and die for the sins of the world. The Father doesn’t do that, so how can this child that is being promised? How can He be called an Everlasting Father?
Well, it seems odd to us, but really, it’s not that far fetched to actually call Jesus “Father” in a specific way. And this is what the Holy Spirit has guided Isaiah to say. Even though Jesus, as we heard from the reading from St. John today, Jesus is one with the Father, He’s one with the Holy Spirit, they are one God in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are distinct from each other. So what does Isaiah mean that Jesus will be called Everlasting Father? In using the name Father, the Holy Spirit guided Isaiah to teach us some teachings about the identity of Jesus. So what does “Father” teach us?
Well, Jesus makes us His people. Like a father would adopt an orphan, claim somebody as his own. The child cannot make anybody his father. You can’t adopt yourself into a family. You have to be chosen. The name father for Jesus expresses this. Also, too, the name father for Jesus, Everlasting Father, teaches us that Jesus rules over us His people, like a faithful and loving father would. That Jesus is a king. He’s a ruler. He rules over us. So it’s not that strange for Jesus to be called the Everlasting Father. In fact, we do it in our own society. You call someone your Father, who’s not your biological father. We call George Washington the father of our nation. The use of father indicates that he helped found our nation and that he ruled over this particular people. This is how Isaiah is using this term, Everlasting Father. In earlier times, before I knew this text, I always wondered about this and thought that Isaiah was just kind of saying all these names about Jesus, and he’s like, “well, I guess I gotta say something about the Father.” So he just threw Everlasting Father. But no, Isaiah is really teaching us about the identity of this child.
He will be the “founder,” as the author of Hebrews says, “the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Jesus says, “you did not choose me, but I chose you.” Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So in this way, using the term father for Jesus makes perfect sense. All of these names of Jesus teach us of the identity of our God. We also hear in Colossians–Colossians says that by Jesus, all things are created, just like life comes from a father. All things are created through Him and for Him. Simply put, the man conceived spoken of in Isaiah, the one to come to Mary’s womb, is the Creator of all things. He establishes all things, and He rules over all. So it’s actually good news for us that Isaiah can sort of tip-toe around this name “Father,” for this son who will be given.
For those of us who believe that Jesus is our Savior from sin, death and eternal death, the title “Father” reminds us that this child foretold from the Old Testament, He will make a new creation. That we, in the waters of baptism, where we are adopted and given new life, are created anew. It is this One who saves us. And this One, this Father, the Everlasting Father, He rules over us. He is our judge. He made sure Himself by dying on the cross that we are declared forgiven. That we are declared innocent from our sins.
Imagine having a tremendous debt, but your father steps up and pays it for you. Your father would be just as interested in you keeping your innocence or that debt being paid off–your father, who paid it off, would be just as interested in it as you are! In fact, if you are a parent, you know, you would insist on paying off your child’s debt, even if it cost you an enormous sacrifice so your child could be certain of their freedom. So too, this is what’s beautiful about Jesus being called Everlasting Father. He pays our debt to sin.
God is interested in your salvation because he makes the payment on your debt, and by His own blood, He gives it and is himself the judge. The judge who worked for your salvation also declares you free. And remember too in the New Testament, when Philip came to Jesus, and he said, “Jesus, show us the Father, and that’s enough.” Do you remember how Jesus responded? He said, “Philip, when you see me, you see the Father.” Jesus shows the aspect, the identity of God, that the word “father” defines. The words Everlasting Father teaches us about God.
Isaiah doesn’t just say, “Oh, he’s like a father.” He says, Everlasting Father. Isaiah, the prophet, can speak so clearly and so obviously of Jesus, because the second Person of the Trinity is eternal. Jesus had no beginning. He had no end. He was born in human flesh and Bethlehem at a time in history. But He has always been. So also His work on the cross and His deed of judgment, it will not change. God cannot change. So what Isaiah is teaching us today is not something new. That Jesus, the Son that’s promised, will be like a father.
Every name that is given to Jesus is meant to teach us. It teaches you about His desire to save you. To keep you in the faith. To encourage you and to strengthen you like a loving father would. And to be there for you. To pick you up when you fall, to fight your battles for you, and to always be there. Jesus says–in using this name Father for Jesus, it shows us God’s care for us, even as our earthly fathers care for their children, even some children adopted. If you, who are evil, know how to give your children good things, how much more will your Father in heaven give to you?
Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of God has shown us that God desires you to be saved. He desires for you to know that your salvation given to you in the waters of baptism, sealed in the absolution and put upon your lips and the sacrament of the altar–these places where God bestows upon you His grace–He’ll never go back on that. He isn’t going to lie to you. He doesn’t change. That is what is so merciful and beautiful about the Everlasting Father. He doesn’t consider forgiving you a bad deal. He isn’t going to go back on his word. He can’t.
We might consider it risky or even foolish to promise to forgive someone no matter what they do to us. We might be a little scared to even consider that proposition. But God doesn’t feel that way. God, in His mercy, has promised you to be there for you and to forgive you. He doesn’t consider giving Himself on the cross–even over to death–He doesn’t consider that unfair. Even when we so unthoughtfully take it for granted. His forgiveness still stands. He joyfully endured the cross.
So as we contemplate this name Isaiah gives Jesus, “Everlasting Father,” it isn’t something new. This is who God has been from all eternity. From all eternity, God has desired your salvation. So don’t fall for the devil’s temptations. Don’t fall for the weakness of your flesh that wants you to doubt or worry. You have nothing to worry about. “Let not your hearts be troubled,” Jesus said. “In this world, you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world.”
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.