Everlasting Father
I’ve certainly heard plenty of unique baby names over the years, but I can honestly say I’ve never heard of any parents naming their newborn “Everlasting Father.” If I had, I’d think it was strange—after all, no baby lives forever, at least not here on earth. And no baby is born as a father. So, the name feels both odd and impossible. That is, of course, unless the baby’s name happens to be Jesus, who is eternal, one with the Father, and unlike any child ever born.
In this case then, the name makes perfect sense. But even in this, we’re left with some unanswered questions like, “What does it truly mean that Jesus is the Everlasting Father?” And, “What difference does this make for us personally today?” Let’s begin by looking at what it meant for the original audience.
What It Meant Then
For Isaiah’s original audience, the title carried deep hope. Why? Because earthly kings had repeatedly failed them. But the promised, prophesied child was to be different. His Kingship would be marked with compassion, protection, provision, and love—not just for a season, but forever. This is why for God’s people then, knowing Him as Everlasting Father meant the assurance of His eternal reign, continual care, and forever love.
What It Means Today
For us today, knowing Jesus as Everlasting Father means believing the words He spoke when He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), “I and My Father are One” (John 10:30), and “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). It means believing He is eternal in nature—existing outside of time, having always been.
It also means relating to Him personally and intimately not as a distant religious figure, but as a devoted Father who knows and loves His children. Most significantly, it means trusting Him to daily carry our burdens, guide our steps, teach, counsel, shield, and shepherd us, and love us perfectly today, tomorrow, and forever.
Final Take Away
So, what do we take away from this? We take Jesus Himself, the most important truth of all. Our Emmanuel, God with us. Our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God. Our Everlasting Father—the only Father who will never leave, forsake, fail, or abandon us.
He is our Jesus who loved us, rescued us, gave His life for us, who is with us, and lives within us. And this is the Jesus we are invited to follow, to know, and to love, not only at Christmastime, but at all times.
So today, let us pause in gratitude, knowing we are highly valued, deeply loved, wonderfully cared for, and eternally secure in Jesus, who is our Everlasting Father.
Pray
Father, I thank You for the gift of Jesus, my Everlasting Father. I take confidence knowing He is with me now and always. Strengthen me to depend on Him, rely on Him, and to seek, follow, worship, and love Him with all my heart. Amen.
Reflect
In what ways are you encouraged today knowing Jesus is your Everlasting Father who will be with you always?
Friends, I’d love to hear your experience! Feel free to share your responses in the comment section below, or with me and others HERE!