His Name Shall Be Called... Everlasting Father

Colossians 1:15-20; John 14:1-11

First

            I’ve heard some people say that any guy can be a father, but that doesn’t make you a dad. The sentiment is that being a loving, responsible, and caring father, that is, being called “dad” is much harder of a task. Indeed, we all understand what a “dad” is supposed to be like. A father who loves and cares for you is truly a great blessing. But it’s for this reason that we call other people “father” also, that is people to whom we have no relation. Think of our “Founding Fathers”. The men who worked hard, sacrificed, and gave everything to see this nation come into being. We may not be related to them, but we call them fathers nonetheless. Or you have those people who discovered something truly groundbreaking, the first to do it out of everyone. Galileo is sometimes referred to as the “father” of modern science. Because of all of his hard work and caring dedication, we know far more about our world than we ever did before. Hippocrates is the father of medicine due to his contributions to the field, which is why we all know of the Hippocratic oath. So on, and so forth. This is all to say, that being called a father is sometimes more than just the act of having a child. Or more so, that the qualities and characteristics of a good father are often sought in other areas of life also. We know how blessed it is to have good fathers in the home, and how much more so to have these same types of men in all other areas of life.

            For as we’ve been going through the names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9, we’ve seen the many ways that Jesus serves us. But tonight, his name shall be called… Everlasting Father. Not because Jesus becomes our father, but rather that he does what the best of fathers would do. For let us learn tonight:

JESUS IS THE EVERLASTING FATHER OF OUR SALVATION!

I.

            For it’s also often said, “Like father, like son.” As children, we mimic what our parents do. It’s how we learn. But that means all the good traits come with all the bad ones too. For while Jesus is called our Everlasting Father, we’ve chosen a different “father” to chase after in this world. As Jesus tells us, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies,” John 8:44. From the beginning, we’ve sought the will of our fallen father. Satan is our father… the father of lies and sin. Hence, we’ve copied all of his traits. We lie, deceive, steal, gossip, and hurt in his name. We’ve learned from him that the only way through our world is by only caring about ourselves.

            We’ve gotten all too used to and comfortable with the way Satan rules over us. His reign isn’t one of love, but of fear and terror. This is why it’s harder for us to recognize our Heavenly Father and his will. Just as we read in our Gospel, “Philip said to [Jesus], ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?” John 14:8-9. When trouble strikes in our lives, our urge and first desire is to run to the father we’ve known… that is, to Satan and every evil. It’s our nature as poor miserable sinners. For the only way to break out of the mold and habit of a father is to learn from another. Yet, who among us shall be the first? Who among us is strong enough to toss off the habits and image of our father of lies and sin? This is why we struggle so much in this life, especially as Christians. We would like to think that Christ’s reign is absolute. We would like to see Jesus come with power to put Satan to flight and take his reign. We would like to see Jesus put the fear of God in all of his enemies. But when he doesn’t rule in the same way to which we’ve become accustomed, we begin to doubt and question his rule.

II.

            But then consider what government would look like if we had one who sat at the top rule not with fear tactics, or threats, or might, but by love. Not just any love… the same love that a caring and compassionate father has for his child. That’s Jesus… our everlasting Father. As Isaiah writes, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore,” Isaiah 9:7. We call Jesus “Everlasting Father” because he rules over his kingdom as a father rules or cares for his child. It doesn’t mean that Jesus has become our heavenly Father. No, he remains the eternal Son among the Trinity. But it’s because of the nature of the Trinity, the intimate relationship between Father, Son, and Spirit that Jesus can say such things as, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works,” John 14:10. Jesus’ reign among us also reveals to us the loving and caring nature of our Heavenly Father.

            This isn’t the only way that Jesus is our Everlasting Father, though. He’s everlasting because he is God from the beginning. He’s eternal and has always existed and will always exist. His rule and reign aren’t limited by time or location. But he’s Father because he also did something first… something that has forever changed the course of human history and has made it so do things a new way. As we read, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross,” Colossians 1:19-20. Jesus is father of our eternal salvation! Jesus went to the cross to die for you and me, so that in his blood, he may reconcile, redeem, or save us from the snare and trap of the devil. He breaks us away from the habit and rule of Satan and brings us under his own wings, the very arms of his cross. Even more so, Jesus didn’t just suffer and die, but he’s the firstborn of the dead! He was raised back to life so that you and I may be raised also! 

            When life gives us trouble, let us no longer run to the father of lies, but to our Everlasting Father… to Jesus. For in him, we find a love that knows no end and a care that reshapes us in his righteousness and purity forever! In Jesus’ name! Amen!