December 5, 2025

Once you see it you can’t unsee it. Over the past few years, I’ve been challenged to read the Old Testament Scriptures through this lens: Where do you see Jesus, here? The concept is grounded in the idea that every Old Testament passage, in some way, points to Jesus; It points to God’s salvation plan through grace in the person of Jesus. Once you begin to meditate on that and read through that lens, you begin to see it. Everywhere.

Now that we are in the throes of the Christmas season, this passage pops up regularly. It comes from the prophet Isaiah. This is chapter 9:6-7.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

This passage doesn’t require the reader to strain hard to see the promised Messiah (Jesus) here. Isaiah is specifically prophesying of the future King. In doing so, Isaiah makes one of the most profound statements concerning the Trinitarian Godhead that we see in the Old Testament. God, Jesus, and the Spirit are One. There are four titles or names given to this future King that I’d like to spend the next four weeks unpacking a bit. The first is Wonderful Counselor.

Wonderful Counselor

In John 14:26, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as our advocate (or counselor). In our English language we hear the word “counselor” and think of someone whom we pay to listen to us share our problems and they guide us with wisdom and insight. And that isn’t a terrible way to think about Jesus and the Spirit’s role in our lives. Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit will lead them to remember and understand the things that he had taught them. Clearly the role of the Spirit is to give us wisdom. James chapter one tells us that we should ask for wisdom and that God will grant it to us. That we may know, understand, and be obedient to all the things that God has for us in Christ.

The title, Wonderful Counselor, has another profound meaning attached to it. To understand the significance is to understand it through the translation of the word advocate (rather than Counselor) that we see in some Bible translations. Think about that from a legal perspective. “Advocate” or “counselor” is a name often given to attorneys. The job of an attorney is to advocate for and to plead the case of their client. They go before the judge on behalf of their client to offer evidence for and to fight for the freedom and the justification of their client. This is what Jesus does for you. He has gone to the Father on your behalf. You and I are guilty of sin and rebellion against the Father. We deserve punishment and separation from our Heavenly Dad. Yet, Jesus steps up to the bench and says, “Look here. My blood is evidence of my client’s justification. The nail holes in my hands tell the story of their righteousness. My body is their freedom and acquittal. Look at me, my sacrifice, my payment for their sin-debt… and you must find them not-guilty.” God sees you through the lens of Jesus. Forgiven, fully loved, and set free!

That is the role of our Advocate and Counselor. That is what Jesus has done and still does for us. Thank him. Praise him. Let his Truth settle deeply in your heart. Ask him for wisdom. Rest in his provision.

Thank you, Jesus, for you have done great things for us!

Nathan

Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor

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