Thank you for joining us, and welcome to our radio program, The Voice of Many Waters Broadcast.
Our message for today is titled “Jesus is God: “The revelation of the identity of the Messiah.”
“Jesus is God: The Identity of the Messiah” is a statement about the belief that Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, is not only the Messiah but also the divine Son of God.
Isaiah Chapter 9, Verse 6, records the words of Prophet Isaiah, who prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and identified Him as the eternal God. This is a significant prophetic passage in the Old Testament, as the prophet, a Jewish man who revered God, compared Jesus, the coming Messiah, to God the Father. It foretells the arrival of the Messiah and is crucial to understanding the prophecy of the Old Testament.
The verse highlights the titles and roles the Savior, later identified as Jesus Christ, would take on. In this radio broadcast, we will examine Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6, in detail, exploring these titles and their significance concerning the person of Jesus Christ.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6).
Wonderful Counselor:
The title “Wonderful Counselor” refers to the Messiah’s role as a source of exceptional wisdom and guidance. In the Gospels, we see Jesus’ profound teachings, parables, and sermons that continue to inspire and guide millions of people. His advice is not just human but also carries the divine wisdom of God, providing comfort and direction to those who seek it.
Mighty God:
The term “Mighty God” emphasizes the divine nature of the Messiah who was to come. In the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims his unity with the Father, affirming his divinity. This title summarizes the exceptional power and authority that Christ possessed as both God and man, enabling him to perform miracles, overcome death, and establish his kingdom.
In John, chapter 10, verse 38, Jesus essentially expresses the concept of mutual indwelling between himself and the Father. His language, “the Father is in me, and I am in the Father,” goes beyond mere proximity or physical presence. The text explores the unity, intimacy, and oneness within the Godhead—the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
Mutual Indwelling:
The concept of mutual indwelling, also known as perichoresis in theological terms, emphasizes the inseparable relationship within the Trinity. This suggests that each person of the Trinity resides within the others in perfect unity. When Jesus said, “The Father is in me, and I am in the Father,” he expressed the profound nature of the relationship between himself and the Father.
Unity of Essence:
Jesus’ statement about unity implies a deep connection beyond just being in the same place. The Father and the Son share the exact divine nature, meaning they are made of the same substance. This theological concept is essential to the Christian belief in the Trinity, which asserts that God is one being in three persons.
Shared Divine Attributes:
The relationship between the Father and the Son is such that they share divine attributes. As the Son, Jesus is full of the divine nature, and the Father is fully present in him. This means that any attributes of the Father are also actual attributes of the Son, and vice versa.
Implications for Believers:
Although Jesus’ statement primarily refers to his unique relationship with the Father, it also has implications for believers. In other parts of the New Testament, especially in the writings of the Apostle Paul, the idea of believers being “in Christ” is highlighted. This highlights a spiritual union between believers and Christ, where believers, through faith, become partakers in the divine nature (Second Peter chapter 1, verse 4).
Everlasting Father:
The title “Everlasting Father” goes beyond the conventional understanding of fatherhood. It speaks to the eternal nature of the Messiah’s care and compassion. In Christ, believers find a fatherly figure who provides unwavering love, guidance, and protection. This title emphasizes the eternal relationship between believers and the Father, which is made possible through the redemptive work of Jesus.
In John chapter 14, verses 8 to 10, the disciple Philip expresses his desire to see God the Father. In response, Jesus reveals a profound truth about his identity and relationship with the Father. Jesus emphasizes the statement, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” which is a pivotal moment in his teachings. This revelation sheds light on the inseparable unity between Jesus and God the Father.
Jesus goes on to reinforce the idea of his unity with the Father. He declares that the words he speaks and the works he performs are not of his authority but are expressions of the Father working through him. This underscores the harmonious relationship and shared purpose within the Trinity.
Incarnation: God in Human Form
The statement aligns with the concept of the Incarnation, the belief that God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus. In Jesus, the invisible God becomes visible, allowing humanity to encounter the divine in a tangible and understandable form.
Implications for Believers:
For believers, this declaration has profound implications. It establishes Jesus as the definitive revelation of God. In studying the life and teachings of Jesus, believers come to know the Father intimately. The unity between Jesus and the Father models believers’ relationship with God through Christ.
The Importance of Faith:
Implicit in Jesus’ response is the call for faith. Believers are urged to recognize the divine reality in Jesus, even when it may not conform to preconceived notions. Faith in Jesus as the revelation of the Father is foundational to Christian understanding.
Prince of Peace:
The title “Prince of Peace” represents the profound impact of the Messiah’s purpose. Jesus’ mission was to restore the relationship between humanity and God and provide inner peace to every human soul. His sacrificial death and resurrection brought peace between God and humankind, offering an extraordinary serenity that surpasses earthly circumstances.
Exploring the Significance of the Titles:
Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6, contains several titles that reveal a distinct aspect of the Messiah’s identity. These titles offer believers a complete picture of the Savior they anticipate. They form a mosaic of Christ’s divine nature, his redemptive mission, and the enduring influence of his time on earth.
Divine Wisdom and Guidance:
The title “Wonderful Counselor” reminds believers they can seek divine wisdom from Christ. His teachings provide guidance to navigate through life’s complexities and offer insights that go beyond human understanding. Whenever someone faces moments of uncertainty, they can turn to the Messiah, the source of counsel that surpasses the limitations of human wisdom.
Deity Incarnate:
The title “Mighty God” resonates with the profound truth that the Messiah is not just a human leader but the embodiment of the Almighty. This title confirms the divinity of Christ, emphasizing his part in the universe’s creation, his control over natural forces, and his ability to conquer sin and death. In Jesus, followers meet a God who fully understands their humanity.
Eternal Care and Fatherly Love:
The title “Everlasting Father” represents the perpetual and timeless nature of God’s love that was revealed through the life of Jesus Christ. This title signifies the unbreakable bond between God and His believers, which was made possible through the sacrificial work of Jesus. By bearing this title, God promises His followers that His love will never cease to exist and will remain constant throughout all life circumstances.
Bringer of Ultimate Peace:
Jesus is known as the “Prince of Peace” because he represents divine reconciliation. By sacrificing himself, he made it possible for humanity to achieve peace with God. This title also refers to the inner peace believers experience when they have a relationship with Christ, which helps them rise above the conflicts and unrest of the world.
The Supremacy of the Son of God
Colossians chapter 1, verses 14 to 16
In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
God’s Final Word: His Son; Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1 to 4
God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who, being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Unparalleled Claim of Oneness:
The declaration “I and the Father are one” in John chapter 10, verse 30, marks a pivotal moment. It emphasizes the unmatched assertions of Jesus and his distinctive role in Christian theology. This statement represents a profound theological truth, stressing the oneness of Jesus with the Father in essence, purpose, and mission. Throughout history, the Christian faith has unwaveringly held this belief, which sets Jesus Christ apart from all other religious and philosophical figures.
No one in the history of humanity has ever made such claims except the Lord Jesus Christ, God incarnate, the Only Savior, and the Everlasting Father.
