For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah’s famous Christmas prophecy in chapter nine promises a coming King who will save His people. And wow, did they need saving! The world was a total mess during Isaiah’s time, and the people were suffering. Adding to that, Isaiah had just warned that they were going to be invaded and taken into exile for decades.
And then, Isaiah brings hope through the promise of a child to be born. Babies always bring a sense of hope, don’t they? But this baby boy was extra special because He would grow up to save the world! The king whose government will be a kingdom of peace that will never end.
This prophecy was fulfilled 750 years later when Jesus Christ was born in a Bethlehem manger. But the way that God chose to come into our world — in obscurity and humility — was not at all what the people anticipated. Most people in Jesus’ day didn’t recognize Him. People never expected that God Incarnate would be poor, a craftsman, and from a humble village and family. They doubted his mother’s purity. He didn’t pursue wealth or status, and he had few followers. When He taught, He didn’t try to persuade people to follow Him, He told them it meant leaving everything else behind.
Because Jesus didn’t fit their picture of who He would be, the people rejected Him. People are still rejecting Jesus today. Many think that when they choose to put their faith in Christ, their life will suddenly be problem-free and wonderful. When it isn’t, they don’t want to follow Him. But it’s not God’s plan for us to have a life of ease. Jesus delivered us from our biggest problem of all — sin — but He doesn’t solve all of the day-to-day problems in our lives. Instead, He walks with us through them.
QUESTION: Will you let go of the way you want Jesus to be so you can see who He really is? Will you look for God to show up in unexcepted ways and through unexpected people in your life? Will you allow Him to change your plans and teach you to live His way?
PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for trying to make You fit into my mold. Help me let go of my expectations and demands of you. It’s not about me, it’s about you. Please show me through your Word who You really are and help me understand. Amen.
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