Unto us a child is born, a son is given

This morning we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the messiah, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, the one who burst into space and time as a little helpless baby. We spend a long time preparing for Christmas, the Lord spent much longer. Isaiah, who lived eight centuries before Christ, was not the first to prophecy of His coming, but is perhaps the most startling, and if I dare say it, the most Evangelical, Christian and Trinitarian in the theology of His prophetic words. Through him we hear prophecies of the virgin birth (7:14); of the gospel, including the universal sinfulness of mankind (53:6a, b), of Christ's substitutionary death (53:6c, 8c, 10c, 12e); His subsequent resurrection (11a, which follows 8c); the doctrine of justification (11b); and that He ever lives to make intercession for us (12f; Hebrews 7:25). And in case anyone is left in doubt that this prophecy is about Jesus, we read “Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him” (Isaiah 53; Acts 8:26-33; 34, 35).

Isaiah 53 points us to the finished work of the perfect son of man (Isaiah 53:9c.d; 11b). The verse indicated in the title is given  in the very midst of the monotheistic Scriptures of Judaism. It is perhaps the clearest Old Testament expression of the doctrine of the Trinity, of Christ's deity, and with 20/20 hindsight, of the second coming. The verse reads “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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The verse is universally acknowledged to be messianic, and we note concerning Messiah's deity, that one of His Names is “Mighty God.” As to the mystery of the Trinity, one of the Names of the Son given is the “Everlasting Father,” another “Wonderful Counsellor,” a reference to Holy Spirit (see 11:2).

The Scriptures speak of all this and more, as mystery, and that to believers “it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11). However, since Satan has blinded the eyes of those who do not believe, these mysteries are hidden from the eyes of unbelievers (verse 11; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4). And in their blindness, and their world without true hope they, knowingly or unknowingly, fight against the Lord and His anointed. The opposition can be fierce as with Herod's determination to eliminate the Christ child (Matthew 2:16). And thinking on these things this morning, I am reminded that we are in a war to the death with the enemy of our souls. So how shall we then live (2 Peter 3:11)?

Father, we intercede this morning for ourselves, in the battle for our loved ones who do not yet know You, and for all those for whom Christmas is such a difficult time. Thank You Father for the infinite care You took to prepare the World for the coming of Jesus, and that through Your Word, we can be sure of the things of which we have believed. Help us by Your Grace to us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with perseverance the race you have set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 11:1 NET; 12:1,2). Bring each one to hope, peace, love and joy Lord, even in the midst of the battle in Jesus Name Amen