For to us a child is born, to 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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV)
Most of those who profess Christ have a “life verse.” You know that one scripture verse you cherish because, at some point in your journey, it spoke deeply to you. When asked if I have a life verse, I usually answer Isaiah 9:6-7.
For forty Christmases, our family has mailed a Christmas card every year to family and friends. The prophetic promise found in Isaiah 9:6-7 customarily graces our card.
One of the most amazing Messianic prophesies in all of Scripture is Isaiah 9:6. Isaiah prophetically announces that a child will be born, a Son will be given, and the government will be on his shoulder.
This promise is woven into the tapestry of American culture. We see it on ornaments, Hallmark cards, and t-shirts. Even if some are losing their collective, cultural memory, Americans are generally clear that Christmas is about the birth of the Christ child. Indeed, “for to us a child is born.
This is no ordinary child. This baby who will be born in the backwater town of Bethlehem is a king. This child is royalty like none other. He is the King of kings. One of the big words found in many hymns capturing this pivotal moment in redemptive history is “incarnation.” Of course, this theological term biblically defined is the reality that God became man in Christ.
Sublime mystery carries us beyond what we can possibly understand as we explore the meaning of the incarnation. But what we do understand is this—the Christ child was the Son of God who came to earth in the person of Jesus. This child was supernaturally born to Mary, a virgin. Joseph was his earthly, adopted father, but God was his true Father.
Following the examples of angels, shepherds, and magi, the only appropriate response is to bow down before this child born in a manger, and worship him as king of the world. Perhaps, you are asking what Mary asked — “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” The answer the angel gave in reply was — “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:34-35).
The eternal Son, the second person of the Trinity, became man in the person of Jesus without divesting himself of his deity. With that mind-boggling announcement, the only appropriate response is worship.
Isaiah tells us yet more extraordinary news too. He announces, “The government shall be upon his shoulder.” What government? Well, you might answer, the kingdom of Israel. While that is certainly true, there is much more intended in Isaiah’s announcement. This child is given all the kingdoms of the earth. This government is cosmic. David was a king, but David was also a prophet. In Psalm 16, David foretells the resurrection and coronation of King Jesus.
A critically important question to ask is this —when does Jesus’ reign begin? Answer: Jesus assumed the throne of heaven at the right hand of the Father, ruling the nations at his ascension (see Acts 2:29-36). Though the darkness all is around us is real, the deeper reality is that Jesus has been on the throne for over two thousand years. After his resurrection and just before ascending to the right hand of the Father, Jesus said to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me (Matthew 28:18; Daniel 7:13-14).
Following the examples of angels, shepherds, and magi, the only appropriate response is to bow down before this child born in a manger, and worship him as king of the world.
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Dennis Darville
December 20, 2021
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