Hello Beloved,

Let us continue our study of the names and titles for Jesus. Last month, we considered the title of Jesus’ name as “Wonderful.” This month we will further the study of this name and its connections to other names for Jesus in examining the name of “Counselor.” As with the name “Wonderful,” “Counselor” is also descriptive of the Immanuel child who is “God with us.” In Isaiah 9:6 we read, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

As this name implies, a “Counselor” is someone who gives advice about problems. There are many counselors who desire to impart wisdom about how one should live his or her life. We pay money to see psychologists and psychiatrists that we think have the human psyche mastered. However, there are ideas, principles, and precepts that many of these so-called professionals communicate which are very wrong. A good number of these professionals follow philosophical worldviews that flow contrary to the truth of God’s Word. On the other hand, there is one man who is all wise because He is omniscient, and that man is Jesus. The Apostle Paul states that in Jesus “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3 (ESV) Elsewhere, the Apostle states that Christ Jesus “. . . became to us wisdom from God. . .” 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)

As the “Counselor” Jesus always knows the exact right thing to do in every circumstance. That means that he never made or makes a mistake, and that He always responds in the exact right way. Jesus desires to counsel us with this wisdom. Beware of counselors that follow the way of our adversary, “the Devil.” Rather, follow the counsel of those who communicate the true Word, who speak the grace of truth into each situation, and whose counsel is permeated by the love of Christ.

Let me leave you with a story about how Jesus is the ultimate counselor from Tony Campolo. He writes, If you were to have psychotherapy, after a brief while you would feel terrific because everything that's negative about you gets transferred over to the therapist. At the end of a session, a good psychotherapist is feeling terrible, and the patient is feeling great because through the process of discussion, everything negative about you has been moved over to the psychiatrist. Jesus is the ultimate counselor, the ultimate psychotherapist who takes upon himself everything that's dirty, ugly, or rotten—everything that has you down on yourself. He takes it upon himself. He makes it his own. That's the good news of the gospel. You can have the childlike freedom that comes with deliverance from all that is negative and dark. You are able to live life passionately. intensely, and with great excitement. (Today's Best Illustrations)

Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit.”

*Some material for this newsletter article taken from “The Names of Jesus” by Elmer Towns.