Jesus As The Wonderful Counselor

The prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 reveals four powerful titles for Jesus, the promised Messianic King: "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."

These titles for Jesus are familiar to many, but have we truly considered their depth and significance? Could they shape the way we live, think, and trust?

In this blog, we will explore Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, as portrayed in the Book of Hebrews, and inspired by Dr. Timothy Keller’s insights in his podcast episode, Wonderful Counselor.

Why Do We Need Counseling?

The book of Hebrews tells us: you will never make it through life without counsel. You will never make it through the wilderness of this world without daily encouragement and guidance.

"See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage (counsel) one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:12-13)

This passage references Israel’s time in the wilderness. Before entering the Promised Land, they struggled with doubt and fear, despite witnessing God’s miracles in Egypt. The wilderness tested their faith, trust, and endurance, and many failed the test, turning away from God.

Like the Israelites, the writer of Hebrews warns believers not to fall into the same mistake. The writer emphasizes that this world is a spiritual wilderness, full of trials and challenges that, if we’re not vigilant, will inevitably harden our hearts. Without faith and daily encouragement, this isn’t just a possibility—it’s a certainty.

Life as a Spiritual Wilderness

The biblical wilderness was not a lush forest—it was a dry, barren desert where survival was difficult. The Israelites had food in Egypt, but in the wilderness, God seemed distant. They thirsted, they struggled, and they doubted.

This remains true for us today, even in times of wealth and prosperity—perhaps even more so. Life’s greatest blessings: family, success, wealth, and friendships—while good, cannot fully satisfy our souls. Just as the desert could not sustain life, the things of this world cannot sustain the deepest longings of our hearts.

As Dr. Keller insightfully explains:

“Like in a literal desert [or wilderness] so in this world, family, professional success, money, friendship, and all the things that make your life happy and fulfilled—none of those will be able to satisfy the deepest needs of your heart.”

Even life at its peak won’t satisfy our deepest thirst. If we put our hope in anything in this world, we are bound to die spiritually.

Just as God seemed distant in the wilderness, He often feels distant in our trials. The Israelites experienced God’s miracles in Egypt, but in the desert, His presence felt absent. Many times, we also cry out for help but hear no immediate response. The reality is that God has the full picture and knows what’s best for us. For this reason, he doesn’t always act the way we expect—and that can make faith difficult.

The Danger of a Hardened Heart

Without constant counsel, encouragement, and truth, we risk becoming cynical, bitter, and hopeless. The writer of Hebrews warns: "Do not harden your hearts, as they did in the wilderness."

A hardened heart is one that stops trusting, stops hoping, and stops believing. The only way to guard against this is through daily encouragement and counsel—yes, once again, daily.

Jesus: The Ultimate Counselor

In John 11, Jesus attends the funeral of His friend Lazarus. His two surviving sisters, Martha and Mary, approach Him separately but say the exact same words: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

Jesus responds in two very different ways:

• To Martha, He responds with truth: "I am the resurrection and the life." He pulls her heart out of its sorrow into the strength of His own heart, offering truth and assurance.

  
  

• To Mary, He responds with tears: "He wept." He lets Himself be drawn into her grief, entering into her sorrow and simply weeping with her.

  
  

Jesus is both the truth-giver and the tear-shedder. He is equally committed to truth and compassion. He is the Wonderful Counselor, perfectly balancing truth and compassion, grace and correction, justice and mercy. A human being cannot survive without both truth and tears. Sometimes, in order to grow, we need hard truth—a push forward, even when it stings. Other times, we need someone to simply sit with us, cry with us, and say nothing. Both are necessary because:

• Truth without tears is too brutal—we won’t listen.

• Tears without truth are too sentimental—we won’t benefit.

Jesus is the counselor our hearts desperately long for. As Dr. Timothy Keller beautifully describes, His ministry is a perfect balance of both truth and tears.

Why Is Jesus the Perfect Counselor?

Hebrews 4:15 says: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."

Jesus understands us because He lived as one of us. He suffered hunger, rejection, betrayal, grief, and physical pain. He was mocked, beaten, and crucified. Yet, He never wavered. Through it all, He remained faithful, making Him the only one who fully comprehends our struggles while also providing the strength to overcome them through faith in Him. His sovereignty empowers us to walk through the wilderness with unwavering courage and resilience.

Some might argue that if Jesus never sinned, how could He truly understand us? If He was perfect, how could He put Himself in our shoes? The truth is, we often struggle to empathize with others because of our own sin. It is our self-absorption, self-pity, and self-centeredness that makes it difficult for us to truly put ourselves in another person’s place. But Jesus is perfect love. There is no barrier in Him—nothing that hinders Him from fully understanding and deeply feeling our pain.

Jesus does not condemn us, yet He does not ignore our sin either. He says: "I don’t condemn you. Now therefore, go and sin no more."

That is the heart of Jesus' truth: not a love that is conditioned on our behaviour, but a love that transforms our behaviour.

How Do We Receive This Counseling?

• Through Salvation: Jesus is not just an example; He is our Savior. Accepting His love transforms one’s heart.

  
  

• Through Christian Community: Hebrews 3:13 commands us to "encourage one another daily." We need godly friendships that challenge and uplift us.

  
  

• Through Perseverance: Just as Jesus endured suffering, we are called to trust God’s timing and provision, even when His plan is beyond our understanding.

A Call to Encouragement and Faith

Life can feel like a vast and uncertain wilderness, but we don’t have to navigate it alone. Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, walks with us through every struggle, holding both truth and compassion in perfect balance. He corrects with love, comforts with tenderness, and guides us with unwavering faithfulness.

We were never meant to journey through this life alone. When we walk closely with Jesus and surround ourselves with a community of faith—people who speak truth, extend grace, and remind us of God’s promises—we find the strength to persevere.

So let’s be intentional about encouraging one another. Let’s remind each other of the hope we have in Christ, lifting each other up in love. No matter what lies ahead, we can take heart—He is with us every step of the way.