“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)
Series Focus: “Behold Your King”
As a child, I enjoyed the movie “Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” during the holiday season. The program premiered in 1976. Yes, I know that dates me! I haven’t watched the movie in years, but I still remember the story Father Time narrates. Baby New Year has been humiliated and runs away. If Happy (Baby New Year) is not found before the turn of the year, it would be December 31 forever! Many rally to find him. Through trials, heartache, hardship, new-found friendship, and teamwork, Happy is found and returned. The claymation cast celebrates as time, then, marches on into the new year.
Father Time is a created character, dating back to Greek mythology, and is portrayed in many stories. These programs are entertainment, and Father Time is not a real person or entity. Fiction often reflects truth, in a measure, and then exaggerates or builds upon imaginative details to develop a story. I enjoy some fiction, but I’m primarily a “give me the facts” kind of girl. Therefore, amid every fictional story, I ask God for discernment for His truth weaved within the lines. Sometimes it’s found. Sometimes not.
As I ponder scripture and bring each story through the light of truth, I often find the truth to be stranger than fiction. I know that’s a cliche phrase. But applicable. There IS a Father of Time. His name is Jesus.
Scripture tells us He is the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End; the First and the Last. He was at the beginning of time as the world was created—the Word spoken by the Father, and part of the Trinity in whose image man was made. Isaiah prophesied Jesus to be the Eternal Father. He is the Word made flesh—God and man in one being—to live among humanity, to teach, to show us the Father, to love just as our Father God loves, and to redeem all who believe upon Him. He is our Wonderful Counselor and our Mighty God. He is our soon and coming King, who reigns forever!
Let’s reflect on these words from the prophets:
“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.” (Jeremiah 10:10a NASB)
“Even from eternity I am He, And there is no one who can rescue from My hand; I act, and who can reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13 NASB)
The words of Jesus confirm His perpetual posture:
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58 NASB)
“I and the Father are one,” and ” the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:30 and 38b NASB)
“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You, just as You gave Him authority over all mankind, so that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:1-3 NASB)
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, leading us into all truth; our Mighty God, through whom all things are possible; and our Eternal Father, the First and the Last, who is with us from the beginning of time and through all of eternity. The shadows of earthly stories may reveal slight glimpses of eternal truths. Let’s commit to not look to fiction, but turn to scripture and pour over the Word of God. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. His word is true, life to us, and eternal. He is our King forever and the Everlasting Father of Time.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Isaiah 9:6, 43:13; Revelation 1:8, 22:12-13; John 1:1-4 & 14-18, 8:58, 10:30 & 38b, 17:1-3; Genesis 1:26; Jeremiah 10:10; Hebrews 13:8
