What Does “Everlasting Father” Mean?

What Does “Everlasting Father” Mean?
Monday, December 16, 2024 by Melissa McLaughlin

Her fingers gripped the handlebars, and her feet thrust down on the pedals. With eyes focused in deep concentration, she poured her full strength into the task.

It seems like yesterday our children learned to ride a two-wheeled bike.

When each child was ready, my husband removed the training wheels. With one hand on the handlebars and one on the back of the bicycle seat, he steadied and guided our kids down the sidewalk.

As they picked up speed and gained their balance, my husband gently let go and allowed them to pedal on their own. After a teetering fall, he offered encouragement and ideas for improvement, then helped them walk their bikes back to the starting point to begin again.

I can still visualize their faces lit with the thrill of accomplishment when they achieved this great goal. We all rejoiced.

When learning to ride a bike, there’s nothing like the help of a loving father.

Someone who is stronger than you. Who has been there before. Who knows how to help. And loves you enough to help you get there.

Although no earthly parent is perfect, many loving dads, grandfathers, uncles, and godly male mentors provide glimpses of our heavenly Father’s goodness as they teach, help, and guide our children. We are grateful for these flashes of Fatherhood. However, no earthly dad lives forever. There is no permanent father except God.

Who is the Everlasting Father?

Scripture provides many depictions of our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One characterization listed in our Advent series from Isaiah 9:6 is the Everlasting Father.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In the last two weeks, we studied the terms, “Wonderful Counselor” and “Mighty God.” This week we will contemplate “Everlasting Father.”

Jesus is God, one with the Father (John 10:30).

Jesus is also the Father of eternity (John 1:1-3).

Further, this name from Isaiah 9:6 portrays the Messiah as a Fatherly King who protects, provides, and leads His people for all eternity (John 18:36), (Luke 1:32-33).

When we remember Christ, we see Him as an Everlasting Father—

Leaving His heavenly throne to come for us,
Walking by our side and going before us to the cross,
Paying the penalty for us,
Protecting us from evil we brought on ourselves,
Rising up in power and strength,
Lifting, correcting, and guiding us with His Word and indwelling Spirit,
So He can bring us home.

That is Jesus, our Everlasting Father.

Someone who is stronger than you. Who has been there before. Who knows how to help. And loves you enough to help you get there.

What does “Everlasting Father” mean? Jesus, our Messiah and loving Father King.

Can you think of an earthly father or father figure who reflects our heavenly Father? What memories come to your mind?

Exciting Update for My Readers!

By God’s grace, my new book, The Whole Bible Devotional, is available for purchase from:

Amazon

CLC Publications

Rakuten Kobo

I hope you can purchase and read The Whole Bible Devotional, and I pray it draws you closer to Jesus.

May God be glorified and His people blessed through this book!

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Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin to discover the Truthful Grace and spiritual riches of studying God’s Word. Find joy in the knowledge of Jesus Christ through Biblical Growth and the life-changing truth of His Word.

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