A Child - The Mighty God

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church Singapore

on 22 December 1996

Introduction: In the earlier portion of this chapter, God promises to deliver the Jews from Babylonian captivity. Though this was an event for great celebration, God promises them another event that would far surpass their deliverance from the Babylonians, namely, that He would send a child who was also the mighty God. Similarly, though our earthly blessings are events for celebration, our eternal salvation is an event for greater celebration.

Isaiah must have puzzled by this incredible verse (1 Timothy 3:16), though the promise given in Isaiah 7:14 ("Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel") helped to ease the mystery. "Immanuel" means "God with us." We have become so immunized by meaningless Christmas activities that the marvel of Jesus' birth is mostly forgotten.

For unto us…unto us - The objective of this unprecedented, marvellous, mysterious event is us - sinful, ungrateful men. Though this marvellous gift is for us, it will be of no benefit to us unless we personally receive it.

a child is born - Christ, the eternal Son of God, was made flesh (John 1:14) and was born a helpless child. He was begotten of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), and born of the blessed virgin - Mary (as prophesied in Isaiah 7:14). There are few things that are as helpless as a newborn child. Furthermore, Jesus was born in a manger in a stable among cattle. Though His birth was heralded by angels, and announced by excited shepherds (Luke 2:8-20), no one bothered with the poor infant in the manger (James 2:1-9).

a son is given - Though Jesus was born a man, he was eternally the Son of God, and as the Son of God He could not be born. Therefore, God's son is given. The poor despised child was no ordinary child but was the son of God that was give to save us from our sins.

the government shall be upon his shoulder - Heavy burdens are carried upon one's shoulders. Though Jesus governs us, He does so by bearing our burdens, especially our sin burden at Calvary. He is the King that serves His people. Therefore, we should also lead by serving. Earthly kings are borne on the shoulders of their subjects.

and his name shall be called - The following names are not common names by which Jesus was called but rather names that describe those attributes that we perceive to be more necessary to us.

Wonderful - Jesus, the God-man, is wonderful in His humble incarnation, virgin birth, sinless life, love, teaching, miracles, substitutionary death, miraculous resurrection, bodily ascension and endless intercession. Each of these attributes and events are too wonderful for human mind to fully comprehend.

Counsellor - Many people believe that the preceding word "wonderful" describes the word "counselor." This is a possibility because the subsequent three nouns are all described by an adjective. Jesus is the wonderful counselor because in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). In His person, life, death and resurrection is the wisdom and knowledge of the how to be delivered from sin and have eternal life with God. The Gospel can only be understood by Jesus' life - from His incarnation to His resurrection. Jesus counsels us by His life and teachings.

The mighty God - The Hebrew word for "God" is "El" which means "Strong One." The adjective "mighty" is added to the "Strong One." There are few things as weak as a newborn child, and there is nothing mightier than the almighty God, Jesus Christ, who created the heavens with His word (John 1:3). It is so difficult to imagine that the babe in the manger was the Creator of heaven and earth. It is impossible to comprehend the depths of Christ's humility in His incarnation. Many people acknowledge Jesus as a good man but deny that He is God. This verse clearly tells us who He is. Jesus is either the mighty God, or the greatest fraud!

The everlasting Father - Jesus has been called a child and a son, but He is also our everlasting Father. The babe in the manger is the One who will everlastingly care for us with a heavenly Father's tender and wise care. Many Christians consider Jesus as a cruel master who should be avoided rather than a Father whose service is the one's greatest joy and privilege (Luke 11:13).

The Prince of Peace - The babe in the manger came to be our Prince of Peace, whose kingdom is in the hearts of His people (Romans 5:1). In Hebrew, the word "peace" also signifies "prosperity" because the greatest prosperity is peace. The richest man is one who is at peace with God, his neighbors, his surroundings and himself.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end - Our Prince of Peace rules over an endless kingdom where fullness of peace and joy increases eternally! We can all be citizens of this kingdom by simply trusting in Jesus as our Savior (John 3:16).