Who is Jesus? The Counselor

The Counselor

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NIV)

            People spend thousands of dollars a year to go to psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other advisors who can give them guidance concerning their lives. Many organizations and individuals pay for motivational speakers, life coaches, talk show hosts and the likes to help them sort through life’s problems in a desperate attempt to seek answers and confirmation of who they are and their purpose. A numerous amount of churches have become  houses of motivation rather than houses of worship because people’s ears are wanting to hear hope for today instead of change for tomorrow. Money have been spent on both legal and illegal drugs, alcohol, and other remedies to take away feelings of low self-esteem, depression, guilt, and loneliness when the answer is in none of the above, but in Jesus who is our Mighty Counselor.  Matthew 11:28-30 ⁽²⁸⁾”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ⁽²⁹⁾Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ⁽³⁰⁾For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)      

            If you noticed, Jesus did not refer the people to a doctor, a bottle of pills, or a self-help guru, but He referred them to Himself. Jesus wanted people to understand that He was the only One who could give them peace of mind from all life’s worries and anxieties. Matthew 6:25 “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (NIV) Pharmaceutical companies make millions of dollars on prescription drugs for high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, strokes and other illnesses brought on from people worrying about tomorrow.

They worry about keeping up with the rat race called LIFE. What will I wear? What car will I drive? How will I pay the bills? Where will I go to school? Will I make it to college? What if I fail? Will he divorce me? Will I get that promotion? The list of questions goes on and on concerning life’s list of uncertainties. This often sends people into panic mode when they need to turn all these matters over to JESUS. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(NIV)

Jesus one day spoke with a Samaritan woman with whom the Jews would not have even given a second glance. As she began to draw water from the well, Jesus asked her for a drink. Surprised by this request, she thought it strange that He, being a Jew, would even request anything from her for the Jews thought that they were better than the Samaritans. Nevertheless, Jesus told her that He could give her water where she would never thirst again. He was the living water. John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (NIV)

The lady thought that Jesus was speaking of natural water when Jesus was actually speaking of water in the Spirit. He was speaking of eternal water where she would never have to thirst again. Water that would solve all of her life’s disappointments, hurt, grief, and feelings in being inadequate. Water that could heal her pain, feelings of rejection and the side-effects from a broken heart. John 7:37-38 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”(NIV) Jesus went on to ask the Samaritan woman to go get her husband, but the woman replied that she had no husband.

The woman had indeed been with numerous men and the one that she was currently with was not her husband as well. Nevertheless, Jesus did not bring it up to shame her, but to let her know who HE was and what He could do for her life. John 4:19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.” (NIV) Jesus was not only a prophet, but He was the Counselor who was there not to charge her a fee for an hour of her time, but He was there to give her knowledge concerning the Kingdom of God that no amount of money could pay for.

Jesus let her know that she did not have to worry about being inadequate due to the status that the Jews placed the Samaritans in or feeling like she needed a man to keep her happy. The true contentment could only be found in God and the Lord those who had a sincere heart for Him for He alone could fill the emptiness that she unknowingly had. John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (NIV)

Jesus is the only Counselor that we need. This doesn’t mean that you can’t get spiritual advice from a pastor, Christian counselor or someone who has experience in God, but all roads should point directly to Christ. He is the only one who can heal and make your life straight. All you have to do is to trust in His guidance and your life will never be the same. Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility. (KJV)