The Counsel of the Lord

There are moments in life that leave a lasting imprint on our hearts—moments where truth is revealed in a way we can never forget. One such moment came on the first day of my second year in seminary.

The textbooks for my New Testament class had been delayed, so I hurried to the bookstore before class to pick them up. Running late, I shuffled into the lecture hall, ready for another three-hour block of instruction. As the professor began, he spoke with clarity and conviction—never once glancing at notes, never opening a book. He simply taught as if the knowledge flowed directly from him.

During a short break, I glanced at the newly acquired books. Then, something caught my eye—the professor’s name was on the cover. He wasn’t just teaching from the book; he had written it! He was the source, the authority, the one who knew the material inside and out because it originated from him.

At that moment, I was reminded of Jesus and how He taught. The religious leaders of His time were astonished because He spoke as one with authority, not like the scribes who relied on the words of others. Jesus didn’t teach secondhand knowledge—He was the very source of truth.

Isaiah calls Him our Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), and indeed, He is. When Jesus teaches on prayer, He isn’t reciting someone else’s wisdom—He is teaching us how to reach the very heart of God. When He speaks of forgiveness, He reveals the mercy of the Father. When He teaches about salvation, He speaks as the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Let this truth settle in your heart: When you read Scripture, you are not just reading words about God—you are receiving wisdom from God Himself. His Word is alive, spoken with authority, and meant to transform our lives. May we sit at the feet of the Master Teacher and receive His truth with open hearts.

With Gratitude, Pastor Jesse