“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and in His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
The Hebrew phrase translated “Everlasting Father” could be translated literally as “Father of Eternity.” This means that the one they’re speaking of, the coming Messiah, Jesus, is our creator. Our Father forever. Without end. This also shows us the Oneness that Jesus has with God, being fully man and fully God. Still hard to comprehend, they’re separate and one all at once.
This matters to us because of what Jesus did on the cross, completely taking on all of our sin, we are no longer separated from our Everlasting Father.
This was His plan of restoration all along.
He didn’t want to be apart from us, so He made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we would be with Him for eternity if we so choose.
“So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:3-7
Now Jesus called our Everlasting Father, Abba. Which is equivalent to “Dada” or “Daddy” today. This is important because it communicates the type of relationship He wants with us. The level of access and intimacy that He is giving us. What we see Jesus do, we are to do. Jesus tells us if we’ve seen Him, we have seen The Father.
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:7-15
Our Everlasting Father is better than any storybook, sitcom, or depiction of a good Father. He is kind, He pursues us, He adores us, He sings over us, He provides above and beyond for us, He protects us, He cries with us, He laughs with us, and He dances with us.
Psalm 145:8-12, Zephaniah 3:17, Ezekiel 34:11, Matthew 18:12, Philippians 4:19, Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:18, John 11:35 and so many more!
The Bible is full of stories and scriptures that describe just who He is FOR us. Once we understand who He is and who He wants to be for us, we have a choice to receive what He is offering. There is one story in particular that comes to mind. The Prodigal Son.
“And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’
So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” ’
So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ”” Luke 15:11-32
Whether we are the rebellious son or the son that was with the Father all along, He communicates to us through this story that we have complete access to relationship with Him. No matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, He wants us. He likes us. He’s devoted to us. He forgives us. He is there for us. He loves us without stipulations.
He is inviting you to trust Him and lean on Him. To cry on His shoulder and laugh with Him. To call Him “Abba” and run to be with Him. To turn to Him in sorrow and in rejoicing. To share stories and to rest in His embrace and in His comfort. He is here with us now, tangibly and He will be with us forever. Our Everlasting Father.
~ Amanda Santistevan
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