Jesus is Wonderful

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

This is a verse you are going to hear read, quoted, and preached on over the next several weeks. It is a “Christmas Verse.” It will appear on church signs, bulletins, in Christmas cards, and on advertisements from many stores and restaurants. 

This verse, among Christians, is not without controversy. Sadly, it seems as if almost every verse in the Scriptures creates controversy in the church. Here in Isaiah, the controversy is to be found in the two words, “wonderful” and “counselor.” Is the word wonderful an adjective that describes what kind of counselor Christ is, or is Isaiah saying that Jesus is Wonderful and a Counselor? Scholars, preachers, professors, Bible School teachers, and others debate this like their lives depend on getting it right. 

I have heard most of the arguments for both sides. Here is my conclusion, for what it’s worth. First, let me say, I am not by any stretch of anyone’s imagination a scholar or a professor. Some might say, “I’m not even a preacher!” 

Anyway, my conclusion is, “What difference does it make?” I do lean more toward it being an adjective telling us that the Messiah is a counselor who is wonderful. But that is not a hill I want to die on. Nor is it a hill I want to picnic on. 

The truth, no matter what, is simply that Jesus is wonderful. No matter what you say, no matter what you think, Jesus is wonderful. 

Someone has written, “He’s more wonderful than my mind can conceive. He’s more wonderful than my heart can believe. He goes beyond my highest hopes and fondest dreams.” 

When we were teenagers in camp, we sang, “Wonderful, wonderful, Jesus is to me. Counselor, Prince of Peace, might God be He. Saving me. Keeping me from my sin and shame. Wonderful is my redeemer, praise His name.” 

The Hebrew word translated wonderful is pele, which means ‘to be wonderful, to do wonderful things.” With only one exception, in the Old Testament, it is always used in the context of God’s acts or works toward His people. 

If you find it difficult to think of Jesus as wonderful, then ask those whose lives He has touched.  

Ask the widow at Nain, whose son was returned to her when Jesus raised him from the dead. 

Ask Jarius — whose twelve-year-old daughter was raised from the dead. 

Ask Mary and Martha, whose brother Lazarus was raised from the dead. 

Ask Bartimaeus, whose sight was restored. 

Ask the thief on the cross who that day was with the Lord in Paradise that day. 

Ask those around you — the child who is now a father; the husband and wife whose marriage He saved; the man He freed from the slavery of alcohol; the elderly lady in a nursing home; the hungry He has fed; the sick He has healed; the naked He has clothed; the hospital bills He has paid. 

These will all testify that He is wonderful! 

You can also look at His creation. 

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. — John 1:3 

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. — 1 Corinthians 8:6 

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. — Colossians 1:16 

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. — Psalm 19:1 

God’s creation holds us all spellbound. Just look at the wonder of snow and the majesty of His mountains. 

If you are still not convinced that He’s wonderful, listen to His teachings. They will astonish you just as they did the people of His time. Also, remember His teachings have changed the world. 

Look at His birth. Born of a virgin, accompanied by the announcement of angels. 

Look at His life. He did not sin. He loved all he met. He had compassion on those who needed compassion. Luke writes of Him in Acts 10:38, “He went around doing good” (one of the biggest understatements in the Scriptures). 

Look at His death. Stand amazed and in awe at His resurrection. 

He conquered sin, death, and the devil. He is indeed altogether Wonderful. There is no other word that I can think of that describes what He has done for all of us. 

Finally, look up, for His next coming, for He is indeed coming again! 

Yes, Jesus is wonderful.