Session 1

The Messiah is Coming

From A Celebration of Advent: A 25-Day Devotional

When circumstances seemed most grim, Isaiah prophesied that a Messiah would come to redeem Israel and set everything right. Isaiah uses four titles to describe the Messiah’s role as the anointed deliverer: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, is the Wonderful Counselor who makes decisions with divine wisdom. Mighty Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was with God and was God in the beginning (John 1:1-3). It is through Jesus that we know the Everlasting Father. The Apostle John tells us, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:18, NIV). Jesus rules and reigns as the Prince of Peace, bringing dominion and peace that will never end. 

For Israel, this prophecy of the Messiah brought joy and comfort in dangerous and unsettling times. Advent means Jesus, the Messiah, came, and we can know Him. Advent also means that He will soon come again. No matter what our circumstances, when we are in Christ, we find deep, abiding peace now and look forward in hope to His second coming when we will know Him in full. 

REFLECT:

• Of the four names Isaiah uses to describe the Messiah, which one means the most to you? 
  

• How have you seen Jesus fulfill each of these roles in your life?