Our relationship with Christ is central to everything we do. What we think about Him will impact how we handle stress or tragedy, how we treat our spouse and children, and how we view ourselves. The Bible gives us a list of Christ’s titles, and each of them plays a major role in our walk with our Savior.
Christ in the Old Testament
For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
The coming Messiah would have an important list of titles. But these weren’t just things He’d say about Himself – these are what His people would see as He rules as their king. He would be called the Prince of Peace because nothing else would be more fitting. His people would call Him “Wonderful God” because that’s exactly who He would be. He would be a king like the world had never seen, and His people would have nothing but praise and worship for their God.
Fulfilled in the New Testament
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind. (1 Corinthians 1:24-25)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
A good counselor is one who can give us wisdom and comfort. Jesus Christ is our perfect and wonderful counselor because He is God, and thus guides us perfectly. Through Him, we can understand even the most difficult aspects of life because we are counseled by more than a human being. We have Jesus Christ, the son of God, to lead us in our lives and comfort us in our pain.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)
Whatever we may face in this life, we never face it alone. Jesus Christ not only died to set us free, but He is with us through every step of the lives He gives us. This Savior isn’t just a good friend, but the almighty God of the universe. Back in Genesis 1, the Father created everything through Jesus Christ. This mighty God is powerful enough to maintain the very existence of the universe. When we remember that, we know why even the most hopeless circumstances will always be used for God’s good purposes.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Christ being called the “Eternal Father” can be confusing for us after God has revealed the 3 persons of the Trinity. However, Isaiah isn’t saying that the Son of God will also be our Heavenly Father. Instead, we see that Jesus Christ treats His people like a good father treats His children. A good father leads his family and will sacrifice, and even die, to care for those He loves. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice to care for such weak and needy children by taking our place under the wrath of God, dying so that we might live.
Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. (John 14:27)
Christ doesn’t just offer peaceful circumstances. As the Prince of Peace, we recognize that true, lasting peace is only found in Him. He doesn’t offer us power or easy lives so that we have nothing to fear or worry about. Instead, He offers us Himself, and through Christ we can experience a peace that defies any circumstance.
Jesus Christ lives out His titles in the lives of His followers. What we must ask ourselves is whether we live as though these things are true. If we refuse to live as though Jesus Christ is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace, then we aren’t fully enjoying the life Christ has called us to. We aren’t meant to experience life like the rest of the world. Instead, we’re meant to experience life through serving and worshipping our King and our God.
