Brent Thompson
02/15/18
One of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture this time of year is Isaiah 9:6 which says, “For unto us a child is born, unto 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.” This prophecy was written some seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth and yet it contains some important and rich truths for us as we near the annual celebration of His birth.
1. Jesus is Truly Man
The first part of the verse “For unto us a child is born” refers to Christ’s humanity. Jesus began his life on earth just like any other human—he was born of the virgin Mary and entered the world as an infant. In the New Testament we are taught that within the context of His humanity, Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, but He never sinned (Heb 4:15). In other words, as a man, Jesus experienced hungry, thirst, sorrow, and pain just like we do and in His death, He even felt the weight of sin as He took our sin upon Himself.
2. Jesus is Truly God
The next phrase, “unto us a Son is given” refers to Christ’s deity. Notice it says that Jesus was “given,” not “born” in this statement. Isaiah’s prophecy remained true to who Jesus really completely was because He existed before His birth. At the beginning of John’s gospel he refers to the Jesus as the Word and writes, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Jesus stepped out of heaven and into humanity, God’s one and only Son, to conquer sin and death. Jesus is the Holy One of Israel, the desire of the nations, the light in the darkness and the only hope for salvation.
3. Jesus is King of Kings
The next phrase, “and the government shall be upon His shoulders” helps us look toward the prophetic future when Christ shall reign over a literal, earthly, world-wide kingdom (Zechariah 14:9; Daniel 2:44). When that comes to pass, the government (that is, the ruling authority) of the whole world will rest on His shoulders, and He will reign as sovereign over a kingdom of righteousness and peace. What about until then? Well, Scripture teaches that “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:20-21). You see, until Christ’s second coming, His kingdom and sovereign rule are manifest within those who trust Him as Savior and Lord.
Then we have these four titles that Isaiah assigns to Christ—Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Aren’t these fantastic attributes to our perfect Savior and King? These all describe the desires of mankind. We live in a world wrought with confusion and we are in desperate need of a Wonderful Counselor to help clear up the confusion.
Our world is full of chaos that only a Mighty God can conquer and apply a soothing ointment to bring calm and peace.
Christ is our Everlasting Father because Christ is the Father of Eternity. He is the creator of heaven and earth. In the book of Hebrews 1:10-12 we find that Christ, the Son of God, was the person of the Trinity who created time out of eternity and fashioned the universe from nothing. Christ is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the last. He is in complete control, he sees everything from beginning to end. In Paul’s letter to Rome we are also told that in Christ all things will work together for the ultimate good of all His Kingdom’s subjects (Rom 8:28).
The last title is certainly needed today. The Prince of Peace. Just think about that for a moment. When Christ establishes His eternal Kingdom there will only be peace—no conflicts, no wars, no squabbles, no animosity between people and nations. The Messiah’s Kingdom will be one of complete peace.
When we look at the Christmas narrative in Luke 2, it tells us that when Jesus was born, angels pronounced peace on earth. Well, we know that there never has really been peace on earth. There have been wars and rumors of wars since Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father. This announcement by the angels was two-fold. First, it was a declaration. The angels declared the arrival of the Christ child—the only One who could and will ultimately establish never-ending peace on earth. And second, and more importantly in this present moment, the angel’s announcement was a declaration that the peace of God is available to all men and women. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Who are those with whom God is pleased? Those who submit their lives to Him. Those who receive God’s free-gift of salvation offered to all who would believe in His Son—Jesus Christ.
Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of the Christ-child is the good news of God’s redemption for mankind and answer to all the confusion, chaos, complexities, and conflicts of life. The birth of Christ is the gift of a newborn babe who is also the Father of the all eternity, the One who is an innocent child, yet also a wise Counselor and mighty King. The One is God with us---Immanuel.
So, as you celebrate Christmas this year, focus on how Christ has brought about these amazing prophecies in your life through His saving, sanctifying, and sustaining power.
Brent Thompson
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