CELEBRATING CHRIST – OUR COUNSELLOR

“I COUNSEL you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed…” – Revelation 3:18a

Beloved, join me to CELEBRATE CHRIST – our COUNSELLOR: “For unto us a Child is born … and His name will be called Wonderful, COUNSELOR…” (Isa.9:6). The Hebrew word for counselor in this text is yaats, and it has several meanings, mainly: ‘advise well, consult, give counsel, determine, devise, and guide.’ Our Jesus is not only wonderful, but wonderful in counsel: “This also comes from the LORD of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance” (Isa.28:29). The Lord is the epitome of counselling. His ministry is the model for counsellors of all types: pastors, teachers, parents, small group leaders, life coaches, advisers, medical doctors, psychotherapists, business consultants, and friends. Anyone who is in relationship with other people needs to learn to be a good counsellor to take care of people’s hurts and struggles.

Counsel is essential to worthwhile living: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Pr.11:14).  Also, “without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Pro.15:22). Proverbs 24:6 adds: “for by wise counsel you will wage your war, and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.” We need of His counsel: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer.10:23). The Psalmist said: “I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons” (Psa.16:7).

The Counsel of the Lord is given freely: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” (Jam.1:5-6a). Moreover, the Counsel of the Lord gives life: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jh.6:68). However, finding His Counsel involves striving to seek it: “yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, it you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Pro.2:3-6)

I celebrate and look to the Lord Jesus Christ as my Counsellor. He is the Source of all loving and wise care. His primary identity is as the Son of God, the radiance of His glory, and our Saviour from sin who died on the cross for us and rose from the dead to bring us eternal life. However, the Lord has other important ministry roles of teacher, healer, and counsellor. In Him is all wisdom and knowledge: “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col.2:3). Isaiah 11:2 described Him: “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of COUNSEL and might…” (Isa.11:2).

There have been psychologists – ‘doctors of the soul’ – throughout human history, but Jesus excels as the true and best Psychologist. He is the “Shepherd and Bishop of our souls” (1Pet.2:25). He had words of counsel for each of the Seven Churches in the book of Revelation, especially the Church in Laodecia. His words still hold rich counsel for every believer and group of believers today. We see the glory of Jesus’ counselling ministry in the Gospels, where He listened with compassion to hurts, fears, complaints, and prayers. He journeyed with humanity through life’s ups and downs, without judgement or even impatience. He led His disciples tenderly with grace and wisdom. He could however not help proud people who didn’t think they needed anything from Him. Instead, His mission was to carefully doctor the sick and those struggling with sin (Mk.2:17).

In this Church age, our Lord Jesus Christ also ministers by the Holy Spirit, through human counsellors. The grace and wisdom of Christ operates through pastors and counsellors to take care of wounded and struggling Christians.