Isaiah 9:6 declares: “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.” This passage forms the basis for our midweek series. The “Child” whom Isaiah speaks of is the same Child whom he prophesied would be born of a virgin and called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” 

The first week, we meditated on the title: “Wonderful Counselor.” Jesus is the Word become flesh. God made man. Therefore, His counsel is automatically wonderful, and we should read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it. The world considers Jesus’ teaching to be foolish, but to those who are being saved through the cross of Jesus and His resurrection, it is the wisdom of God.

The second week, we zeroed in on the title: “Mighty God.” Jesus is not only a man, but He is God. He is man and God. If He were only man, then His death would accomplish nothing, and we would still be in our sins to be pitied above all. But because He is Mighty God, His blood shed upon the cross and raised on the third day cleanses us of all unrighteousness.

This evening we take up the third title (perhaps a confusing title): Everlasting Father. Why is Jesus called “Father”? That’s unusual, given that Jesus is the Son of God. Within the Godhead there is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—distinct persons who are of one substance being one God. We refer to the Three in One as the Trinity.

Jesus says throughout the Gospel of John, “I and the Father are one.” He often speaks of His complete unity with the Father, as He does in tonight’s Gospel.

Yet, the Father is a distinct person. In fact, during the Baptism of Jesus, all three persons of the Trinity are present individually with very distinct roles. Jesus isn’t God the Father. God the Father and God the Son are two distinct persons unified with God the Holy Spirit.

So then, what does it exactly mean that Jesus Himself is referred to by Isaiah with the title “Everlasting Father”? It means that we are Jesus’ blood-bought people. He rules over us as a loving father rules over his children. He leads and guides us in His ways.

It’s not unknown to us to use “father” in this kind of way. We can think of the founding “fathers” of our nations, the forefathers of our families, the early Church fathers, and our Lutheran fathers such as Martin Luther, Martin Chemnitz, and CFW Walther. All of these uses of the word “father” refer to the standing and influence they have over successive generations.

The title “Everlasting Father” points us to the truth that Jesus rules us and all creation. He has eternal influence over us—and not just influence! He says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” As Isaiah says, “the government is on His shoulders.” Or as we sing: “He rules the world with truth and grace.”

Paul spoke of the rule and reign of Jesus in the Epistle reading: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” As hard as it is for our minds to grasp, the Child born of the virgin is our Creator and King.

And that’s wonderful news for you who believe. This Creator and King is the Savior from sin, death, the devil, and hell. The title of “Everlasting Father” recalls how we have been regenerated, reborn, renewed in Jesus’ redemption. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” says Paul. Christ has done this through the atonement of His blood that forgives our sins.

That the Child is our Creator and King is also wonderful news, because it means that Jesus really is in charge. No matter what suffering, evil, or grief is happening to us or around us, the title “Everlasting Father” reminds us that Jesus is the King or Redeemer.

So much of the news we digest from war to school shootings to disease can tempt us to feel like the Lord has no grasp on things and has lost control. It can appear that evil of all kinds rules the day. It looks like evil triumphs and good loses.

Conversely, brothers and sisters, Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Jesus says, “All authority is mine. I claim it, because it has been given to me. I’m in charge, and I use my power and authority for the benefit of my people, even when it doesn’t look like it according to fallen wisdom.”

However much suffering, wickedness, sin, death, and turmoil is happening in the world, Jesus rules. Jesus reigns—and He reigns as the “Everlasting Father”—a father who dearly loves His children. As you probably remember, kids often don’t understand the ways of their faithful fathers, until later in life when their eyes are opened in wisdom. We don’t always understand Jesus’ ways, but there’ll be a day when we see more clearly that He wasn’t really out of touch.

Scripture promises—Jesus promises—that everything works for the good of His people whom He loves. As hard as it can be sometimes for any of us to understand, nothing happens without Jesus allowing it. His ultimate desire is your salvation through repentance and faith. Jesus is your Lord and God. Your Savior. Your king. As a faithful father rules the household, so Jesus rules the house of God for your blessing.

Jesus rules like a father forever, everlasting. He’s not a ruler whose reign began at a point and time and then will come to a close on a future day. He lives and reigns eternally.

Micah prophesied the everlasting nature of Christ’s rule and reign: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” The promised Messiah—the one to be born in Bethlehem—is prophesied to be from of old, from ancient days. That means He’s already living. He’s called “is”… before He was even born of Mary. How? He is God. He is the I AM of the Old Testament. He is God the Father’s eternal Son, standing before His Father—the “Ancient of Days.”

The rulers of this world come and go, but not Jesus. God promised to establish the throne of David forever in Jesus—the eternally begotten Son of God. He’s the “Everlasting Father,” whose authority in heaven and on earth will never cease. Isaiah prophesies exactly this, saying: “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ is in control of all things. He, who seeks your salvation and the salvation of the world, is bringing all things to their final fulfillment. Therefore, He is your “Everlasting Father”, whom you can trust for your good, and whom you rely on all the time.

The Lord Jesus was born for one reason—to be your Savior from sin, death, the devil, and hell. He was “born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them second birth.” In Him, your sins are completely, totally forgiven.

And yet, much of the world doesn’t care, which is where a lot of our struggles abound. Unbelief, sin, and evil often appear to be “winning.” From the very rich to the very poor, from the very powerful to those not in power our human pride and selfishness reaps harm wherever it is sown. Yet, Jesus is still in charge. Jesus still has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” Jesus is “the Everlasting Father.” We see the truth—that He is the Truth—by faith.

There will be a day when we see it with our eyes. There will be a day when Jesus returns for His second Advent with great power, glory, and might. All people on earth will see that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—the “Everlasting Father.” The powerful, the influential, the kings of this world will bow before their Maker one day along with all people. Those who reject Christ will face their Judge. Those who received Christ will be received into the hands of their Lord to enter His kingdom where sorrow and suffering will end. They will rejoice in their salvation.

For now, we walk by faith. We walk by faith in the Word of Christ. We walk by faith, trusting Jesus who shows us the Father through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Jesus reigns right now as the “Everlasting Father.”

Those who don’t believe don’t see it. They’re blind to His reign. You who believe it, see it by faith. You can be sure—because God has promised it—that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father.” You have the tokens of His promise in His Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion.

Be at peace, my brothers and sisters in Christ, for you are citizens of heaven. You are a people who, through His death and resurrection, belong to Jesus. You are inheritors of everything that Christ Jesus possesses. This frees you to serve the Lord daily—through good times and bad—knowing that Jesus is your “Everlasting Father”, who with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit keeps you in His hands. Amen.