I’m sure many of you are scurrying around getting ready for a big meal as you watch children play with their new toys. Others are getting ready for company or embracing the thought of keeping traditions from the past. But, before your mind goes in a thousand different directions let us look at what God gave us when He gave His Son to come to this earth.
Isaiah 9:6 “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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah has been expressing in the former verses how dark the world is and how bleak it seems. Albert Barnes states it like this. “The scenes of coming times, like a panorama, or picture, passed before him. Most of the picture seems to have been that of battles, conflicts, sieges, dimness, and thick darkness.” Then in a moment, he sees the light of the future. The Prince of Peace!
Isaiah first calls Jesus Wonderful! Everything about him is wonderful. It is applied here to note the remarkable qualities of our Savior.
Next, he calls him Counsellor, and oh what a counselor he is! The name counselor here denotes one of honorable rank, that is suited to stand near princes and kings as their advisor. It is expressive of great wisdom, and his qualifications to guide all mankind. Through his word, we can find all the answers to life. When we pray, His Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. The truth of His word. We can rest confident He will never steer us wrong. He always knows what is best and he knows the future. Much of what we experience in life we don’t understand, but He knows all!
Now he is called “The Mighty God.” This is one of the many places Jesus is called God. He is, was, and forevermore will be God. God in the flesh, but equal to God the Father.
Next, he is “The Everlasting Father.” This denotes He is eternal, from the beginning and forever. No beginning and no end. Watching over us and protecting us as a Father. Correcting us as a Father, and equal to God the Father.
Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and by him, all things consist.”
Revelation 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:17-18 “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Last, he calls him “The Prince of Peace.” It needs to be noted that this was the final title given by Isaiah in this passage. The Hebrew word here indicates that this Messiah would be a peaceful prince. That is so evident as you view the crucifixion. He does not defend himself. He willingly made his way to the cross for us knowing the torture and ridicule he was about to endure. He knew that He would be separated from His Father, as God turned His back on Jesus, and our sin was put upon Him. He even asks God to forgive those who were murdering Him, because they did not know what they were doing.
Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Wow, what a reason to celebrate Christmas! Don’t let today pass without taking the time to share with someone the wonderful truths of Christmas. It is, as the song says. “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” From my heart to yours, I wish you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!
