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A child is born
In times of turmoil, we need hope! Such a hope carries one through the most difficult experiences life sends his way: the death of a loved one or intense personal stress. It is clear that Israel needed hope. Isaiah 1:4 identifies the people of Israel as, “A sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, the offspring of evildoers.” Their sinful lifestyle forced God to afflict them with Babylonian captivity. Their condition was such that even their songs of joy did not encourage their hearts. In Psalms 137:4, when asked to sing one of the old Zion songs, they responded, “How can we sing Zion songs in a strange land?”
Over 730 years before the promised Messiah, Isaiah proclaimed to a discouraged nation, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given!” (Isaiah 9:6). You may wonder, “Why did it take so long?” Galatians 4:4 explains, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law.” When the time was right, not a moment too soon and not a moment too late, God sent forth His Son. Everything God does is in His own timeframe. As a result, we don’t always see Him respond as quickly as we think He should. But after the dust of our circumstances has settled, we discover He was always on time!
“He was born of a woman, made under the law.” Now this was not a reference to the virgin birth. It meant that He was like us. For through this process, He entered into our humanity and was subject to the Law as was the custom during the day. He was circumcised and reared in terms of the Law’s requirements, fulfilling all righteousness. This is why Luke 2:21-24 explains, “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22 When the time of their purification according to the law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’), 24 And to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’”
Isaiah shared a little bit more about this baby. He explained that the child would be a wonder of a Counselor. He would be a person of two distinct natures. He would be God and He would be man. He would, as the verse is interpreted, be a wonder from God—the One who alone has the words of eternal life. He would be a counselor like none other. In Matthew 8:27, the question was asked, “Who is this man that speaks to the winds and the waters, and even they obey?” “The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” —But there is more to learn about this child; the word ‘mighty’ implies that He will be the irresistible battle Champion Who will obtain the final victory in the arena of history. As an everlasting Father, he would not only be Lord of eternity, but also the Author of eternal life to the redeemed. Acts 4:12 states, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Isaiah concluded by proclaiming the special Child the Prince of Peace. The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom.” Peace implies, “health to the sin-sick soul; sound and healthy relations between sinners and God, as well as between sinners and fellow sinners.” He will come from the seed of David and rule as a great king like David. But unlike David, whose death ended his rule, this King’s death was only the beginning! For in His death, an opportunity was provided for us to be a part of the Kingdom where He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! This Child has redefined history for every believer. And perhaps you are struggling with this marvelous birth and are trying to connect with today’s message. Why would God in all His manifested power choose such a strange way to save the world?
An unknown author shared a touching story:
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