As Advent presents a time to pause and reflect, the CitySalt Blog team has crafted some additional writings to accompany our church services in preparation for Christmas. In addition to the regularly scheduled blog posts every other week, we are aligning with the sermon series derived from Isaiah 9:6 and sharing personal reflections each Sunday of Advent.
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.
When I first heard about the unique way our pastors were going to be approaching advent, I was immediately taken back to a profound revelation I received from the Lord about 20 years ago. It was one of those life altering moments that dynamically shifted the course of my relationship with God. Its effect reverberates today and continues to be worked out daily as I choose to embrace its truth.
As a young kid, I grew up in a Christian home with parents who professed faith in Christ and went to church on most occasions. But as I personally began wrestling through life’s challenges, I would read scripture and wish that I could have Jesus physically present with me to tell me how I should respond to each trial I was facing as a young man. I envied the disciples who could ask Jesus any question they wanted and receive his wisdom.
It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I went on a journey through John 14-16. Within those chapters, Jesus, the disciples’ Wonderful Counselor, breaks the news that he has to “go away;” that they won’t see him anymore. I had never seen it before, but like walking into a telephone pole while sending a quick text, there it was. Jesus shares the following truth:
John 16:7 (NLT)
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”
This simple sentence upturned all my pubescent apple cart desires for the physical incarnate Jesus. “It is better for you that I go away…” I reread that sentence multiple times and another proverbial pubescent quote came spilling forth from my lips: “Whatchu Talkin’ bout Willis?”
Throughout these chapters, Jesus breaks down the importance of the coming of the Holy Spirit. He reveals that he now wants to lead his disciples through the indwelling presence of this Holy Spirit. Take a look at
John 16:12-14 (NLT)
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will be the one to lead, to guide, to counsel us into all truth, and that what the Holy Spirit reveals to us, is coming straight from HIM. Our wonderful counselor is not so far off as we might sometimes imagine him. He has offered his wonderful counsel to us moment by moment, via the Holy Spirit; and the same Spirit that marked the apostles on Pentecost dwells within us today.
May we all take a moment as we enter this advent season to thank the Father for sending us his Son. Let us take another moment to thank Jesus for sending us his Spirit. And may we also thank the Spirit for revealing the wonderful counsel of the Wonderful Counselor, while giving him a moment to speak truth and lead us through whatever life circumstance we find ourselves in this Holiday season.
About the Author
Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids. He loves Jesus, art, music, and poetry. He currently works as the Manager of Learning Technology Solutions for Los Angeles Pacific University and is passionate about adventuring outdoors.