Immanuel: Our Everlasting Father

Humanity Longs for a Compassionate Ruler to Lead Them

In the world of politics the promise of wisdom, security and peace are the big talking points. Compassion and kindness are underrated. But when you feel all alone, misunderstood and your are hurting it is compassion and sympathy you are looking for. As a pastor I am reminded of this reality time and time again.

The pundits will be analyzing this past election for decades, but one thing is for sure, the people who live in "fly-over country" or the "rust belt" as the east and west coast rich ruling class call them felt neglected and forgotten. That they voted for the candidate that promised to stand up and fight for them should come as no surprise. Hurting people need hope and help. They need someone to listen to them and defend them.

When you can spend $1000 for a Broadway play compassion is pretty low on your priority list, but when $1000 means the difference between staying in your home or foreclosure compassion is pretty important.

But even those people who can afford $1000 Broadway tickets will someday need compassion. The thing about our need for compassion is this: There are more ways to be impoverished that just financially. We can have "poor" health. We can have "poor" relationships. We can be emotionally or mentally "poor," these are just a few of the ways we can feel "impoverished". The point is there will come a time when everyone will feel the need for someone to have compassion on them.

Job is the Old Testament Example of a Compassionate Ruler

My original plan was to find an example or "type" for the four titles given Immanuel in the kings of Israel. We have already used Solomon for a type of Wonderful Counselor and David as a type of Mighty God. Next week we will be using Jehoshaphat as a type of Prince of Peace. However, I could find no king of Israel who was an appropriate example of a ruler characterized by compassion for his people. This speaks volumes to the fact that truly compassionate rulers are hard to find. Perhaps this is not that surprising, the skill set that makes for a wise ruler, a heroic warrior or a skilled peacemaker do not led themselves very well to sympathy and compassion.

Thankfully we have just completed a series in our adult Sunday School on the book of Job. Job was not just a rich man, but in the context of his culture he was a ruler--a man of authority. Our Scripture lesson this morning highlighted the compassion of Job. Let me read for just a portion again to refresh your memory.

Job 29:12–13 ESV

because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him. The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

The plight of the poor of this world is not caused by "income inequality", but by a poverty of love, compassion and righteousness. Especially among the rich and powerful. If only the world had more men and women like Job.

The Good News of Advent is that we don't have to wait for the next election cycle to find such a ruler--he has been reigning for over two thousand years now--his name is Jesus, Our Immanuel.

Jesus, Our Immanuel, is the Compassionate Ruler We Long For

The third title Jesus was given, long before his birth, during the reign of the wicked and self-fish king Ahaz, is Everlasting Father.

There has sometimes been confusion among Christians over this third title. They see the word "Father" and immediately think of the Heavenly Father--the first member of the Trinity. Although Jesus, as God, is co-equal with the Father and shares all his attributes, this is not what this title means. It is referring to Immanuel's fatherly rule.

Now of course there is a reason that the first member of the Trinity is call Father--it speaks of his fatherly rule as well. Psalm 68 is a celebration of God the Father's compassionate and caring rule.

Psalm 68:4–6 ESV

Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Our assurance of pardon was taken from Psalm 103, where we find these wonderful words.

Psalm 103:13 ESV

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

As the Son of His Heavenly Father, Jesus was like Him in every way, but he was also like us in every way, save sin. The author of Hebrews argues that one of the reasons Jesus took on our flesh and bone is so that he could be our sympathetic ruler.

Hebrews 4:15–16 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

"Find grace in our time of need!" What wonderful and reassuring words these are. Are you feeling overwhelmed and weak right now? Does it feel as though no one understands you? Come to Jesus--He understands and He cares! In our hymnal there is a song entitled "No One Understands Like Jesus". The first verse and refrain go like this:

No one understands like Jesus,

He's a friend beyond compare;

Meet Him at the throne of mercy,

He is waiting for you there.

No one understands like Jesus,

When the days are dark and grim;

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus,

Cast your every care on Him.

There is one more thing I want to mention about this third title--His compassionate rule is everlasting. There have been compassionate rulers like Job, but just like Job all have died. We don't just need a compassionate ruler, we need an everlasting ruler! This Hebrew word "everlasting" points to the divinity of this child-king, Immanuel. I think of Jesus words to his disciples at the end of the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:20 ESV

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

What a wonderful assurance this is--the fatherly compassion we all need is found in Jesus and his compassion will never end! If you have not made Jesus your Lord and Savior, what are you waiting for? You will never find a more compassionate and loving friend. Let us pray...