THE EVERLASTING FATHER

For the month of December our SS class has been studying the birth names of Jesus prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. I LOVE to study the names of God. I got hooked on it back in the early 90's when I was "all about" banner ministry. Studying the names of God is one of my passions - to the extent that books on the names of God fill two shelves in my bookcase! What makes the study of the names of God most special to me is that every name of God is a DUAL REVELATION.

• it tells us something about God - His nature, character or work
• it tells us something He wants to do for us

"Each name that He bears indicates some blessing that He shares." [Warren W. Wiersbe]

This past Sunday we talked about The Everlasting Father. Of all the names of JESUS, this one might seem a bit confusing. If Jesus is the SON - how can he be the "Father"? Each Person of the Godhead is separate from the other Persons - yet, EQUALLY God. But, the Father is not the Spirit - and the Son is not the Father - so, how can Jesus be the everlasting Father?

The answer lies in the Hebrew use of the word Father. To an Old Testament Jew reading Isaiah's prophecy, the word Father would be understood to mean "originator of" or "author of." In calling the promised Messiah he was writing about (Jesus), the everlasting Father, Isaiah was saying:

• He is the author of that which is everlasting
• He is the originator of eternity

When we know Jesus as the everlasting Father, our time pressures give way to His eternity. You see, He made us for eternity. Ecc. 3:11 says "...He has also set eternity in the hearts of men..." God made our heart so that we would be dissatisfied with life on the surface and have a deep craving for that which is essential and eternal. We were made for eternity and we cannot be truly happy and satisfied until we are sharing in etenity.

God made us for eternity and Jesus came to reveal eternity. When Jesus came to earth, God caused eternity to invade time. The eternal Word was made human flesh. (John 1:14) As the perfect man here on earth, Jesus showed us what it is like to live by the eternal.

Jesus lived His entire life by a divine timetable. Can you recall how many times He said things like "My time has not yet come ..."?

• to His mother at the wedding in Cana (John 2:4)
• to His brothers who wanted him to go to Judea (John 7:6)
• when His enemies wanted to seize Him (John 8:20)
• and many other times

Jesus lived every portion of every day cognizant of the plan and purpose of God for His life. He did not spend time or waste time. He invested it. He invested it in things eternal - like accepting people others saw as outcasts or "less than" ... sinners, publicans, women, children. He looked at people through the eyes of the eternal and never permitted Himself to be shackled by the passing opinions of time and culture.

What about you, sweet friend? Do you realize God has a specific plan and purpose for your life? Do you find yourself merely spending time? How much time do you waste in any given day? Jesus wants us to invest our time in things that are eternal and the psalmist reminds us: "My times are in His hands ..." Psalm 31:15

Knowing that Jesus controls time makes investing time in the Word and prayer all the more important. How else will we hear His direction for the way HE wants us to use each 24 hour period He has alloted us?

During this busy season remember this little poem

I am so busy, Lord;

there is so much to do.

Can all of these busy things be from You?

Delete your agenda;

let your soul be still.

There's always time enough to do my will.

Let your time pressures give way to Jesus' eternity. Invest in people in ways that will be eternal. Jesus - the Messiah - the Son of God who invaded time from a manger in Bethlehem has put eternity in your heart. "Set your hearts on things above ..." Col. 1:1