For The Glory of His Name: Everlasting Father

Intro:

The Universe

The Sun to Earth: The Sun is about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) away from Earth, a distance light covers in just over 8 minutes.The Moon to Earth: The Moon is about 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers) away from Earth, roughly the same as circling the Earth 10 times.The Nearest Star: Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our solar system, is about 4.24 light-years away. That's about 25 trillion miles (40 trillion kilometers)!The Milky Way Galaxy: Our galaxy is about 100,000 light-years across. If you could travel at the speed of light, it would still take 100,000 years to go from one side to the other.The Observable Universe: The edge of the observable universe is 46.5 billion light-years away. That’s far beyond what we can physically travel or even fully comprehend!

Begin by introducing a telescope as a visual prop. Explain its purpose: to make things that are far away appear near and clear to us.

Highlight how, without a telescope, celestial objects like stars feel distant, cold, and unreachable. With the telescope, they become vibrant, detailed, and present.

I have often heard asked, “the universe is so big how could God ever care about this tiny blue planet, let alone my life?”

What is far is near.

In the world today and for all history we have read about and experienced leaders in our nations who claim love and concern for their citizens but are segregated behind walls, security, and even have no genuine desire to deal with the vast amounts of people under their authority. The concept of closeness and authority is alien to us.

We can’t comprehend a leader of such authority to know and be concerned about our intimate affairs. But where earthly leaders fail, God rises up.

Isaiah 9:1–6 “But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Today we settle on the prophet Isaiah describing the coming Messiah as Everlasting Father.

Focus on the role of “Father” First

Hebrew: ab—Father

Greek/ Aramaic Cognate: abba— Father

In ancient Hebrew culture, the father was the head of the family and held significant authority and responsibility. The family structure was patriarchal, with the father responsible for the spiritual, moral, and physical well-being of the household. The concept of fatherhood extended beyond biological relationships to include mentorship and leadership within the community.

The role of the father in the Bible is one who orders the house, oversees and provides for and secures his family and those whom he chooses to bring under his wing.

Father’s in the biblical times served as teachers and passed great truths of life and history of their people, oversaw justice and punishments.

Fathers endeared, offered, mercy, compassion, and love to those whom the shared.

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 “As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”

Jesus steps into the world

In the life of Israel God draws close to His people but still the Father is not accessible to the people. Only Moses and the priests can come into God’s holy presence and intercede on behalf of the people.

The Gospel of John introduces God “doing a new thing”

Isaiah 43:19 “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

The Apostle John begins his Gospel with creation and creator language. He begins identifying Jesus in his proper role. Jesus is God, the one who was from the beginning. Through Jesus all things came into being. Without Jesus nothing would exist. It is by Jesus that life comes and is sustained- we call this systematic theology. A thinking of how God relates to the world.

Jesus, the incarnate God. The Divine-Human has entered into history and came close. In the God-man Jesus the Christ the immortal and temporal meet. God has indeed come near.

The Title Reflects Jesus’ Divine Nature and Role

The name “Everlasting Father” does not blur the distinction between the persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) but instead emphasizes Jesus’ eternal and fatherly care for His people. In Hebrew thought, a “father” was a protector, a provider, and the originator of a family. Jesus fulfills these roles in His relationship with believers.

Eternal Fatherhood: Jesus is described as eternal, existing before time and reigning forever (John 1:1, Hebrews 1:8). His kingdom is everlasting, and His care for His people endures for all time.

Source of Life: As the one through whom all things were made (John 1:3) and the giver of eternal life (John 10:28), Jesus acts as the source and sustainer of spiritual life for His followers.

2. Jesus as a Perfect, Fatherly King

Isaiah’s prophecy is rooted in the image of a king who embodies the qualities of a father to his people. In ancient Near Eastern culture, kings were often referred to as "fathers" of their nations because of their responsibility to guide, protect, and care for their subjects. Jesus fulfills this role perfectly:

He bears responsibility for His people’s salvation.

He establishes order in His kingdom of righteousness.

He shows mercy and compassion while governing with truth and justice.

3. A Reflection of God’s Fatherly Character

In His role as Everlasting Father, Jesus mirrors the fatherly love and care of God the Father. As Jesus said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). While distinct in personhood from the Father, Jesus perfectly reveals God’s heart to humanity, showing us what it means to be loved and cared for by our Heavenly Father.

Ephesians 1:3–12 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we,…”

God comes close and we can know a perfect love from the perfect Father

The title “Everlasting Father” assures us of Jesus’ unchanging, enduring love. Unlike earthly fathers who may fail or pass away, Jesus’ care for us is eternal. He shepherds His people with a father’s heart, providing for our needs, guiding us in truth, and securing our eternal future.

"Just as a telescope brings the vast and distant heavens into view, Jesus Christ brings the infinite, holy God near to us in a way we can see, know, and understand."

Reflection: The incarnation is the ultimate revelation, where God bridged the vastness of heaven to walk among us as Emmanuel—'God with us' (Matthew 1:23).

We can trust Jesus. God has come close to be our Everlasting Father. God shows us what it means to live and love in a way that brings life to relationships and the world around us.

"The telescope helps us comprehend the enormity of the universe, but Jesus Christ helps us grasp the even greater mystery of God's love. The One who created the stars became one of us to draw us into His light."

Reflection: God didn’t just send a message from afar; He stepped into creation through Jesus, becoming as close to us as a brother.

"The God who spoke stars into existence and set galaxies spinning humbled Himself to be born in a manger. The Creator of the cosmos became the Redeemer of our souls."

Reflection: The distance between heaven and earth was bridged not just by God's power but by His love, revealed in Jesus.

"A telescope shows us the grandeur of a God who made the universe, but the manger shows us the humility of a God who came to be with us. In Jesus, the vastness of heaven and the intimacy of earth meet perfectly."

Reflection: Jesus is the lens through which we understand God’s nearness and His invitation to relationship.

"Through a telescope, we glimpse the immensity of creation, but through Jesus, we meet the Creator Himself. The One who formed the stars chose to take on human form so we could know Him personally."

Reflection: This is the heart of the Gospel: the God who is vast beyond measure chose to come near, to dwell among us, and to invite us into His love.

"The infinite God who hung every star in place stepped into our finite world through Jesus Christ. He made what seemed unreachable intimately present in our lives."

Reflection: The incarnation is God’s ultimate act of drawing near, showing us that His greatness doesn’t keep Him distant but brings Him closer in love.

Gospel

God’s love is personal, tangible, real, and everlasting through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 63 “A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword, they shall be prey for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.”

This Advent Season as we prepare to receive the gift of Jesus Christ our messiah king, let us remember the love that has been lavished on us by the perfect Father who left heaven to come into this world in order that we may know Him. God has drawn close and remains intimate for all time. Let us live and walk with him everyday and desire the same relationship God desires for us with us. Amen.