Recently our daughter gave birth to a son. A year ago we knew nothing about him because he didn’t exist. He hadn’t been conceived, and no one could guarantee that he would be conceived.
Such was not the case with God’s Son. Centuries before Jesus was born, God guaranteed that he would come — so much so that he announced it as if the Messiah’s birth had already happened. It was as good as done.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given … and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6)
Each of these titles tell us something significant about the Son of God and why he is such a precious gift to us. We have already seen how Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor and the Mighty God. Today we’ll consider how Jesus is our “Everlasting Father.”
What it does not mean:
When Scripture refers to the Messiah as the “Everlasting Father,” it does not mean that the Messiah is God the Father. Scripture teaches that God is a Tri-Unity. That’s what the word Trinity means. There is one God who consists of three co-equal, co-eternal Persons. The following diagram helps helps to clarify the personal distinction yet essential unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
As you can see, the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God.
But the Father is not the Son, and the Father is not the Spirit.
The Son is not the Father, and the Son is not the Spirit.
The Spirit is not the Son, and the Spirit is not the Father.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God, but they are all separate Persons with respective roles and functions.
Since that is true, what does Isaiah mean when he says that Jesus is our “Everlasting Father”? That’s a good question!
What it does mean:
The Hebrew word for “father” [אָב] has many nuances. Two of these meanings in particular reflect Jesus’ role as the Messiah.
Head of household
Earlier in Isaiah’s prophecy he refers to “the children whom the Lord has given me” (Isa. 8:18). The author of Hebrews applies this statement directly to Jesus, after referring to him as “the founder of [our] salvation” (Heb. 2:10, 13).
When predicting the sufferings of the Messiah, Isaiah says, “it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand” (Isa. 53:10).
Through his redeeming work, Jesus became the “founder of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). We are his spiritual offspring. He is the head of the church (Eph. 5:23), the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). In this sense Jesus Christ is our “Everlasting Father.”
Benevolent Provider/Protector
This is the second way in which the Hebrew term “father” can be used. We see this in the case of the Old Testament saint Job, who testified, “I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help” (Job 29:16).
Is not Jesus the ultimate example of this? “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Ephesians 5 says that Jesus “nourishes and cherishes [the church], because we are members of his body” (Eph. 5:29-30). Just as we naturally love and take care of ourselves, so Jesus loves and takes care of us. Because this is true, the apostle Paul confidently assured his fellow believers, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
Jesus not only provides for us, but he also protects us. He said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). If you belong to Christ, you are as safe and secure as you can be! He will provide for you, and he will protect you.
And he will do so forever — for Jesus is the “Everlasting Father.” In the first chapter of Revelation, John sees Jesus glorified and hears him say, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Rev. 1:8). Because Jesus is God, and God is eternal, we can be sure that he will never cease to care for us.
Practical Application
We should respond to Jesus’ role as “Everlasting Father” in two ways:
Come to Jesus.
Jesus himself says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, saying, “How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me” (Matt. 23:37).
What about you? Have you come to Jesus in faith, receiving the salvation that he has provided through his atoning death? The night before he died, Jesus told his disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). David said, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close” (Ps. 27:10). He is the “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows” (Ps. 68:5). Sometimes loved ones leave us through death or desertion. But such will never be the case with Jesus. You can always depend on him to be there for you. So come to him.
Become like Jesus.
Ephesians 5 teaches us that those who are loved by God are to become like God. His love and character are to be reflected in our lifestyles and relationships. The world needs to see men who lovingly lead their homes … husbands who are faithful to their wives … fathers who protect and provide for their children.
On a broader scale, we are to imitate Jesus in the life of the church. We are to love one another deeply and sacrificially. Instead of having a “what’s-in-it-for-me” mentality, we should look for ways to love others as Jesus has loved us.
Without Jesus’ loving leadership, provision and protection, we would be lost, destitute, and doomed. But, praise his holy name, Jesus is our “Everlasting Father.”
O, come, let us adore Him!