Unto Us A Child is Born
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV - For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
OBSERVATION:
As we light the seventh candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, we see the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah, revealing that a “Child is Born” and a “Son is Given.” This child was indeed the Son of God, who would one day, in the near future, give His life as a ransom for all.
OBSERVATION:
As we light the seventh candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, we see the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah, revealing that a “Child is Born” and a “Son is Given.” This child was indeed the Son of God, who would one day, in the near future, give His life as a ransom for all.
John 3:16-17 NKJV - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
This Christmas Day, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's remember that He is not only our Savior but also the Savior of the world. As society around us declines and darkness seems to deepen, the Light of the World has arrived. When we gather with family, some of whom haven't yet accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, they need to see Jesus in us. Let us be those who reflect Jesus as the Light of the World so that those in darkness can recognize a great light—a light that leads to the foot of the cross, where mercy and grace are abundant.
Isaiah 9:6 is fulfilled in the birth of Christ in Luke 1-2 and continues through Luke 3 and the rest of the book, concluding with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Yet that is not the end of the story; it is still being written in the lives of those who have been saved. Yes, we know the end of the story, as Jesus left this earth, at the end of His earthly ministry, He said He would come back again.
John 14:1-4 NKJV - "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
We live in the “Age of Grace,” the time between the ascension and the return of Jesus. His first appearing was to save mankind; His second will be to rule and reign in His Kingdom. Isaiah 9:6 is not only about Jesus’ birth but also about His eventual rule in His Kingdom and what it will look like.
As Isaiah wrote these words, he saw the light breaking in the distance. The Light of the World was coming and did indeed come, not in the form of a man but as a little child.
This Christmas Day, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's remember that He is not only our Savior but also the Savior of the world. As society around us declines and darkness seems to deepen, the Light of the World has arrived. When we gather with family, some of whom haven't yet accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, they need to see Jesus in us. Let us be those who reflect Jesus as the Light of the World so that those in darkness can recognize a great light—a light that leads to the foot of the cross, where mercy and grace are abundant.
Isaiah 9:6 is fulfilled in the birth of Christ in Luke 1-2 and continues through Luke 3 and the rest of the book, concluding with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Yet that is not the end of the story; it is still being written in the lives of those who have been saved. Yes, we know the end of the story, as Jesus left this earth, at the end of His earthly ministry, He said He would come back again.
John 14:1-4 NKJV - "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."
We live in the “Age of Grace,” the time between the ascension and the return of Jesus. His first appearing was to save mankind; His second will be to rule and reign in His Kingdom. Isaiah 9:6 is not only about Jesus’ birth but also about His eventual rule in His Kingdom and what it will look like.
As Isaiah wrote these words, he saw the light breaking in the distance. The Light of the World was coming and did indeed come, not in the form of a man but as a little child.
Isaiah was surrounded by dark clouds, hearing prophetic thunder and seeing flashes of divine vengeance.
Throughout history, clouds and darkness spread across many leagues, but he glimpsed a distant bright spot—where pure light descended from heaven.
He sat down and wrote: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them has the light shined" [Isaiah 9:2]. Although he looked across vast spaces at the battle of the warrior "with confused noise and garments rolled in blood" [Isaiah 9:5],
he fixed his gaze on one bright future hope, declaring that here he saw hope for peace, prosperity, and blessing.
For he said, "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." – Charles Spurgeon
Throughout history, clouds and darkness spread across many leagues, but he glimpsed a distant bright spot—where pure light descended from heaven.
He sat down and wrote: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them has the light shined" [Isaiah 9:2]. Although he looked across vast spaces at the battle of the warrior "with confused noise and garments rolled in blood" [Isaiah 9:5],
he fixed his gaze on one bright future hope, declaring that here he saw hope for peace, prosperity, and blessing.
For he said, "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." – Charles Spurgeon
Isaiah tells us what His name would be. Yes, His name is Jesus, but it means so much more. His name expresses the very nature of who He is, Jesus the – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Wonderful – His very name should fill us with awe and wonder, and what He has done should fill our hearts and minds with amazement – He is Wonderful!
Counselor – Jesus is the one who is worthy to lead our lives and the one we should seek counsel from in His Word. Jesus is more than able to help you with your problems. He is not only the one who guides us but is also our Counsel, our Defense Attorney who stands before the Father, saying, “I purchased this one! All that is against Him was and is placed on Me.” He is Forgiven, mercy is granted, and grace given – Counselor!
Mighty God – He is the God of all creation, worthy of all glory, and He reigns in heaven. Yet He came in the form of a man while still fully God, and He accomplished what was impossible for us – Salvation! What was said about His birth is still true today: “Nothing is impossible with God.” What a Mighty God we serve.
Everlasting Father – Jesus is the source and author of all eternity, the Creator. Yet these words do not mean that He is the Person of the Father in the Trinity. He is like a “Father” to us, one greater than any earthly father. He is a Good, Good Father! One who will never leave us or forsake us! – Everlasting Father!
Prince of Peace – He has brought peace with the Father. Because He is the Prince of Peace, we have “peace with God” (no longer enemies because of our sin) and the “peace of God.” This is a peace that passes understanding, a guarantee of His faithfulness, and a hope for our eternal destiny in Him. He is the author of peace, the herald of peace, and the peacemaker. – Prince of Peace!
Counselor – Jesus is the one who is worthy to lead our lives and the one we should seek counsel from in His Word. Jesus is more than able to help you with your problems. He is not only the one who guides us but is also our Counsel, our Defense Attorney who stands before the Father, saying, “I purchased this one! All that is against Him was and is placed on Me.” He is Forgiven, mercy is granted, and grace given – Counselor!
Mighty God – He is the God of all creation, worthy of all glory, and He reigns in heaven. Yet He came in the form of a man while still fully God, and He accomplished what was impossible for us – Salvation! What was said about His birth is still true today: “Nothing is impossible with God.” What a Mighty God we serve.
Everlasting Father – Jesus is the source and author of all eternity, the Creator. Yet these words do not mean that He is the Person of the Father in the Trinity. He is like a “Father” to us, one greater than any earthly father. He is a Good, Good Father! One who will never leave us or forsake us! – Everlasting Father!
Prince of Peace – He has brought peace with the Father. Because He is the Prince of Peace, we have “peace with God” (no longer enemies because of our sin) and the “peace of God.” This is a peace that passes understanding, a guarantee of His faithfulness, and a hope for our eternal destiny in Him. He is the author of peace, the herald of peace, and the peacemaker. – Prince of Peace!
APPLICATON:
When everything around us seems to be in ruins, we should remember that Christ is called Wonderful because of his incredible ways of helping us and his limitless power. When we seek advice, he is the Counselor; when we need strength, he is the Mighty and Strong. As new fears arise suddenly and various threats of death loom, we can find comfort in his eternity, rightly called the Father, and let that comfort soothe all our earthly troubles. When we face internal storms and Satan tries to unsettle us, recall that Christ is the Prince of Peace and can quickly calm our restless hearts. These titles strengthen our faith in Christ and protect us from Satan and hell. – John Calvin.
When everything around us seems to be in ruins, we should remember that Christ is called Wonderful because of his incredible ways of helping us and his limitless power. When we seek advice, he is the Counselor; when we need strength, he is the Mighty and Strong. As new fears arise suddenly and various threats of death loom, we can find comfort in his eternity, rightly called the Father, and let that comfort soothe all our earthly troubles. When we face internal storms and Satan tries to unsettle us, recall that Christ is the Prince of Peace and can quickly calm our restless hearts. These titles strengthen our faith in Christ and protect us from Satan and hell. – John Calvin.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for being my Savior and the Savior of all who will come to You. May my life reflect all that You are this season and in the days to come, so the world might know that You are: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Jesus, thank You for being my Savior and the Savior of all who will come to You. May my life reflect all that You are this season and in the days to come, so the world might know that You are: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The Love of God revealed in human flesh – God with us!