Isaiah wrote 800 years before Jesus came to remind the Israelites that the Messiah was coming and He would start His Kingdom (Isaiah 9:6–7). He offered them hope. Hope was especially needed at that time because the Assyrians were taking captives as they conquered large areas. "Wonderful Counselor" was one of several titles the Messiah would hold.
The word "Wonderful" meant so good it was beyond understanding or incomprehensible. The word "Counselor" is not like what we think of as a social worker or school guidance counselor, but a wise and trusted ruler.
Beyond the prophesied title, Jesus demonstrated His wonderful-ness by healing people (Matthew 4:23), teaching with authority (Matthew 7:28–29; Luke 4:17–22), living a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15), and more. Then, after suffering an agonizing death, He rose from the dead three days later (Mark 16:6)!
Jesus demonstrated His abilities in knowing people (John 1:47–48; 2:25). He taught wonderful things, truths of God counterintuitive to the human mind. For example, love your enemies (Luke 6:27), rejoice in the midst of persecution (Matthew 5:11–12), don't worry about earthly things but trust in God (Matthew 6:25–34). Paul writes that Jesus knows all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus always chose the right path (Hebrews 4:15–16). He is certainly able to advise His followers (James 1:5).
By title, by deed, and by witnesses, Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. He loves us (1 John 4:19) and died for us (Romans 5:6–8). Nothing can separate us from that love. As Romans 8:38–39 says, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
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