Introduction: In 1879, Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt, a German physician and professor, founded the first formal laboratory for psychological research at the University of Leipzig, Germany. This research laboratory marked the beginning of psychology as an independent field of study. Wundt is known today as one of the founding figures of modern psychology. Psychology has overgrown and affected almost all aspects of modern life, including government, courts, schools, business, social work, nursing, engineering, and even church.
Sadly, many prominent early figures of psychology were secular, held anti-Christian views, and built their presuppositions on things that often are in direct conflict with the fundamental assumptions of Christianity. As a result, many of them have reached psychological conclusions and developed counseling techniques that conflict with the true Word of God, as revealed in the Bible. Sigmund Freud, for example, believed that religious people were immature and neurotic. Another example is Albert Ellis. In his opinion, religion sabotages mental health, and religious people are masochistic, emotionally disturbed, stubborn, neurotic, obsessive-compulsive, motivated by anxiety, guilt-ridden, self-condemning, inflexible, and unwilling to accept uncertainty in life.
Today, I want to introduce you to an extraordinary counselor whose counseling surpasses all counselors. His name is Jesus Christ. Let me tell you about His background. Two thousand seven hundred years ago, the people of Israel faced one of the darkest and most hopeless situations of their lives. The reason was, according to Isaiah 8:19, that they had abandoned God. They no longer trusted in Him. Instead, they worshiped idols and consulted mediums and even dead people. God, who had been so patient with them, finally thought, "Enough is enough." If the Israelite chose to do that, He would no longer protect them from their enemies. He would allow a great nation from the north, Assyria, to attack and take them into captivity.
But God is so loving and merciful. Just a few verses later, He said there would be a time of hope and light - hope and light brought by the birth of a child. Look at Isaiah 9:2 - "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned." Yes, Israel, you have walked in darkness. Yes, Israel, you have been living in the land of the shadow of death. But there will be hope. And then, in verse 6, He tells them why: "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."
This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was born seven hundred years later, or two thousand years ago: "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11). Jesus is the One God promised in Isaiah 9:6. Only He can be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
In Hebrew, "Wonderful Counselor" is "Pele' yo'hetz." "Pele" means wonderful, but it goes beyond that. It's used dozens of times throughout the O.T., and it tends to mean "wonderful" in the sense of "the best ever" or "better than anyone else could expect to do." Because it usually describes something so great only God can do it, almost all the Bible's references to "pele" refer to God. For example, David says about God, "You are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God" (Psalm 86:10). The word "marvelous" is "pele." Jesus is wonderful in a way that is boggling to the mind. Jesus demonstrated His wonderfulness in various ways when He was on the earth, beginning with His conception in the womb of a virgin (Matthew 1:23). He showed He is the "wonderful" One in His power to heal (Matthew 4:23), His exceptional teaching (Mark 1:22), His perfect life (Hebrews 4:15), and His resurrection from the dead (Mark 16:6). Jesus taught many wonderful things that are counterintuitive to the human mind: "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matthew 5:4). "Rejoice and be glad" in persecution (Matthew 5:11–12). "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6:27). Jesus' kind of wonderful is awe-inspiring and superior to any other category, for He is perfect in every way (Matthew 5:48).
The second part of the Messiah's title is the word "counselor" or "Yo'hetz" in Hebrew. The term is used in wisdom literature to describe someone who gives advice. Proverbs 11:14: "Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." In ancient Israel, a counselor was portrayed as a wise king, such as Solomon, giving guidance to his people (1 Kings 4:34; Micah 4:9). Isaiah uses this word again in 28:29 to describe the LORD: "This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom."
Jesus is a wise counselor who can do much more than counselors in general. For examples:
a. Counselors must ask about you, but Jesus doesn't need it. A counselor always begins by asking questions about you, your problems, and your needs. But Christ, the wonderful Counselor,
knows all about you (John 2:25). He knows your past, present, and future. Jesus knows what we are going through. He understands our pains and sufferings. As Hebrews tells us: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are— yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus understands our problems. He's sympathetic to our failure.
b. Counselors can help with your problems, but Jesus can transform your life. Psychiatrists and trained counselors can help you deal with your relationship, financial, marital, health, emotional, or behavior problems. They can help change your unwanted behaviors, make you feel better, or function better. For example, those who suffer from a chemical imbalance in their brains that causes depression may get help by taking anti-depression drugs. Jesus says that sick people need doctors. So, we thank God for them.
But no matter how good the counselors are, what they can do is limited. Jesus not only can heal our physical and emotional problems, but He also can change our hearts and transform our lives! The Gospel of John chapter 4 tells us how Jesus counseled a Samaritan woman and transformed her life. She had married five times; she thought men could satisfy the thirst of her soul. But her heart still longed for true peace and joy in her life. But after she met Jesus, her life was transformed. She became a new person! What Jesus had done to her compelled her to share about Jesus with the people in Samaria.
Another story of a life transformation is in Luke 19. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. Like many people, his life is centered around wanting to be rich. But after Jesus came to his house and counseled him, he experienced a heart transformation. Now, he has found the meaning of his life. In verse 8, he said, "Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Not only that, in verse 9, Jesus said that Zacchaeus was being saved.
Today, I want you to know that Jesus also invites you to come to Him. He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). Bring your problems to Him and find His help. He loves you and cares for you. He wants to help you and give you new meaning and purpose in life. And more than that, He wants to save you and transform your life. Even if you don't have any serious problems and are healthy and prosperous in your career, you still need Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?" Jesus is the only One who can forgive your sins and save your soul. The Bible states that all have sinned. And the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
The true story I am about to tell you shows why feeling better, getting healthier, stronger, and better functioning is not enough without Jesus, who can transform the heart.
Illustration: A rehabilitation counselor retired early to spend the rest of his life preaching. One day, while addressing an audience, he told of how - early in his career - he found a young boy with several birth defects. He arranged financial and medical help. Skilled surgeons restored the child's facial appearance. Trained therapists taught him to speak and walk. By his teens, the boy could participate in all other young people's activities. Addressing his crowd, the retired Counselor asked: "What do you think has become of this young man?" One guessed that since this young man had overcome such physical deformities, he may have dedicated himself to becoming a great athlete. Someone else thought he had become a skilled surgeon since medical doctors had changed his life. "No, none of these," the retired Counselor said sadly. "The young man is a prisoner, serving a life sentence for murder. We were able to restore his physical features and his ability to walk and act, but we failed to teach him where to walk and how to act. I was successful in helping the boy physically, but I failed to help him spiritually. From that day on, I have determined to use the rest of my life to help people direct their steps and actions toward glorifying God." (J. Furman Kearley 20th CC)
Closing: Jesus is willing to be your wonderful Counselor. But to be that kind of Counselor to you, He must first be born in your heart by accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. Corrie Ten Boom once said, "If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost." You may have celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, so many times. But have you accepted Jesus in your heart? If you haven't, this is the time to accept Him. Don't delay since you don't know whether you will have another opportunity to welcome Jesus into your heart.
