The Counselor | Pastor Todd Johnson
What Does “Wonderful Counselor” Mean?
The title Wonderful Counselor is found in Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming Messiah: “For to us a child is born…and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God…” (Isaiah 9:6). These words carry deep significance.
In Hebrew, Pele means “wonderful” or “beyond comprehension.” It’s used to describe things that surpass human understanding. Yahweh translates to “counselor,” someone who advises and guides. Combined, the phrase reveals Jesus as an extraordinary advisor, offering wisdom and solutions that go far beyond human capacity.
Jesus is more than a friend offering advice. He is a guide with unmatched authority and insight who can lead us through life’s darkest valleys with compassion and understanding.
Why Jesus Is the Perfect Counselor
Unlike anyone else, Jesus knows the full range of human emotions and struggles. He lived among us, experiencing fear, rejection, ridicule, and even death. He didn’t just sympathize with humanity—He empathized by walking in our shoes.
The writer of Hebrews explains it this way: “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” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus’ life on Earth makes Him uniquely qualified to guide us. He understands our pain because He’s experienced it firsthand.
But His qualifications don’t stop there. Jesus’ wisdom is also unmatched. As the Son of God, His counsel is perfect, untainted by bias or error. He offers solutions that not only address our immediate concerns but also align with God’s eternal purposes for us.
How to Receive the Gift of Jesus’ Counsel
Though Jesus offers His guidance freely, we must be willing to receive it. This requires intentionality and openness. Here are three essential steps to welcome His counsel into your life:
1. Be Honest With Yourself and God
True healing starts with honesty. Many of us only share part of our struggles, even with God. Whether it’s shame, fear of rejection, or discomfort with our own brokenness, we often hold back. But to experience real transformation, we need to bring our full selves before Him.
Consider the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4. She avoided revealing her troubled past to Jesus, fearing judgment. Yet, Jesus already knew her struggles. When He gently acknowledged her truth—that she had five husbands and was living in sin—He didn’t condemn her. Instead, He offered her living water, a symbol of hope and renewal.
This story reminds us that God isn’t waiting to reject us. He already knows our deepest flaws, and still, He invites us into His presence. Being honest with God allows His counsel to work in the parts of our lives that need it most.
2. Seek True Healing, Even When It’s Hard
Healing is rarely easy. Like going to the doctor, it can involve discomfort or facing truths we’d rather avoid. But avoiding the process only prolongs our pain.
In John 5, Jesus encounters a man who had been lame for 38 years. He asks him a seemingly obvious question: “Do you want to be healed?” While the answer might appear self-evident, Jesus’ question points to a deeper truth. Sometimes, we resist healing because we fear the effort or change it might require.
We often want the results of healing without the process. Yet, true healing demands that we trust Jesus enough to let Him lead us through the difficult work of transformation. This might involve addressing painful memories, letting go of harmful habits, or confronting areas of pride.
3. Follow His Lead
Perhaps the most challenging step is surrendering control. We like to be in charge, steering our own lives. But following Jesus as our counselor requires letting Him take the lead, even when His direction doesn’t align with our plans.
Imagine sitting in the passenger seat of a car while someone else drives. It’s unsettling, especially when you’re aware of potential dangers. But trusting Jesus means recognizing that He knows the road better than we ever could.
James 1:5-7 offers reassurance for those who choose to trust Him: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt…” Faith is the key to following His lead. It allows us to let go of our doubts and trust that His plans are better than our own.
Why We Resist His Counsel
Even knowing Jesus is the ultimate counselor, we sometimes resist His guidance. Why? Because it’s hard to believe that anyone—even God—cares about our struggles as much as we do. We mistakenly think that our perspective is clearer or that our plans are safer.
But the Bible reminds us of a comforting truth: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s plans are always for our good, even when they challenge us to step out of our comfort zones.
The Promise of the Wonderful Counselor
Jesus doesn’t promise to eliminate life’s struggles, but He does promise to walk through them with us. As Hebrews 4:16 encourages: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
This is the essence of Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor. He offers wisdom for the journey, strength for the battle, and hope for the future. His guidance isn’t about avoiding hardships but about equipping us to face them with faith and resilience.
An Invitation to Experience His Counsel
Have you welcomed Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor? Whether you’re wrestling with fear, seeking direction, or longing for healing, He is ready to guide you. The choice is yours to make. Will you open your heart to Him today?
Jesus offers the gift of His counsel freely, but receiving it requires trust, honesty, and a willingness to follow. If you’re ready, take that first step. Pray. Seek Him in His Word. Share your struggles honestly and ask Him to lead you. His promise is sure—He will guide you toward healing and hope.