We associate the word ‘counsellor’ to someone who listens and offers advice and guidance.

When Isaiah wrote 800 years before Jesus came that he would be called ‘Wonderful Counsellor’ it was a message of hope. ‘Wonderful’ meaning so good it is beyond our understanding and comprehension; and ‘Counsellor’ meaning a wise and trusted ruler.

‘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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’

The Bible – Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 (New International Version)

As a Wonderful Counsellor, Jesus has the power to not only speak into our situations but also to resolve them.

One of the names given to Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  At Christmas time, these verses from Isaiah are often read at Carol services telling us about Jesus’ birth, years before he was born:

‘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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.’

The Bible – Isaiah chapter 9 verses 6-7 (New International Version)

But what does it mean? 

Jesus is called our Redeemer in the Bible but what is a Redeemer and why do we need one?

The word ‘redeemer’ or ‘redemption’ is used many times in the Old Testament in the Bible.  God told Moses that He will redeem the Israelites from the Egyptians who were holding them in slavery.  God said:

‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgement’

The Bible – Exodus chapter 6 verse 6 (New Living Translation)

The dictionary tells us that:

Another name given to Jesus is ‘Messiah’.

Messiah is a Hebrew word and means anointed one.  What do you think it means to be anointed?

One of the definitions provided by dictionary.com is ‘to dedicate to the service of God’.  Jesus was 100% dedicated to the service of God.  As we read the Gospel’s in The Bible, we can see clearly Jesus’ dedication to the service of God.

What examples can you think of, where you see Jesus’ dedication to God as you read the gospels?