Wonderful Counselor Series

Wonderful Counsellor

Isaiah 9:1-7

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With Christmas just weeks away, our hearts are warmed by thoughts of presents to be unwrapped, delicious meals to be shared, and embraces exchanged in love. Around the world, children dream of gifts they’ve eagerly wished for—cars, dolls, musical instruments, gaming devices, and more. Yet, as exciting as these gifts may be, they pale in comparison to the greatest gift of all—the babe lying in a manger. God has placed eternity in our hearts and revealed His power and presence through creation, leaving us no excuse to deny Him. The over 300 prophecies fulfilled in Jesus underscore that His arrival on that first Christmas was a divine miracle, an impossibility apart from God’s intervention. Over 700 years before Christ’s birth, the prophet Isaiah declared Him to be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This Christmas, as we reflect on the Savior born to be slain for our sins, let us consider how this Wonderful Counselor brings hope, warmth, and security to a world filled with fear. Will you bow before Him and embrace the eternal joy only He can give?

Rejecting a Commercial Christmas - by Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

Jesus is called the “Wonderful Counselor,” and those who truly listen to Him and obey His commands are forever transformed. A vivid example of this is found in Luke 19:1-10, where we read the story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector despised by his fellow Jews for collaborating with their Roman oppressors. Determined to see Jesus, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree. When Jesus arrived, He surprised everyone by looking up and saying, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (v. 5). This shocked and angered the crowd, who considered Zacchaeus not only a sinner but among the vilest of men. Instead of fleeing in shame, Zacchaeus experienced a profound change, declaring, “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.” Jesus then proclaimed, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (vv. 9-10). Like Zacchaeus, when we respond to the call of our Wonderful Counselor, we are led to exchange earthly treasures for the eternal joy of a transformed heart and a restored relationship with God. Are there ‘trees’ you need to climb, like Zacchaeus, to see Jesus this Christmas?

As we drive past houses adorned with sparkling lights, navigate crowded malls, and endure an endless stream of holiday commercials, it’s easy to wonder if Christmas has lost its true meaning. Yet, the story of Zacchaeus reminds us that while gifts and celebrations are enjoyable, they must never become the treasures of our hearts (Matthew 6:19-21). Our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus, was born in a manger and died on a cross to offer salvation to all (Hebrews 10:10). Tragically, like the rich young ruler, many in this world remain ensnared by the fleeting allure of wealth and possessions, choosing what fades over the eternal gift of life in Christ (John 3:16). The true meaning of Christmas is this: though we deserve God’s righteous judgment, His great love and desire for none to perish (2 Peter 3:9) moved Him to give the greatest gift—Himself. Jesus invites us to see Him as the Treasure and Pearl of immeasurable worth (Matthew 13:44-46), far surpassing the food, lights, and trinkets that vie for our attention this season.

He Knows me - by the Apostle Nathanael

While Zacchaeus’ story shows how Jesus transforms our priorities, Nathanael’s encounter reveals the depth of His knowledge and how He meets us where we are. Jesus is called the Wonderful Counselor because He knows our every thought and the deepest desires of our hearts. When Philip heard Jesus’ simple yet profound call, “Follow Me,” his heart leapt with joy, and he immediately left everything to follow his Savior. Filled with excitement, he sought out Nathanael to share the Good News. Knowing Nathanael’s devotion to the Scriptures, Philip declared, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). However, Nathanael’s skepticism surfaced, as he questioned, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (v. 46). Undeterred, Philip invited him to meet Jesus. As Nathanael approached, Jesus revealed His divine knowledge, saying, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (v. 47). Surprised, Nathanael asked, “How do you know me?” Jesus replied, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you” (v. 48). In that moment, Nathanael realized that the very thoughts he had pondered in solitude were known by Christ, the object of his meditation. His doubts melted away as he joyfully proclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel” (v. 49). Like Nathanael, we can trust our Wonderful Counselor, who knows us fully, meets us where we are, and calls us into a faith that transforms doubt into joyful conviction.