The Greatest Gift To Mankind
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Introduction
Introduction
Greetings, dear friends. As we gather here today, let's take a moment to quiet our hearts, to still our minds, and to focus our thoughts on the One who is our source of comfort, our beacon of hope, and our eternal promise keeper. Today, we are going to be turning our attention to a passage that is rich in its depth, resplendent in its beauty, and reassuring in its promises.
The passage that we will be meditating upon today is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 6.
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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Quote:
It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself. — Charles Dickens
Yes, dear friends, the peace that Jesus provides is not a superficial or temporary peace, but a profound, deep-rooted peace that transcends all understanding, a peace that is found only in submission to His reign.
As we prepare our hearts to receive the Word, let's bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this beautiful day that You have made. We thank You for Your Word that is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we meditate upon Your Word today, we pray that You would open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. Help us to understand the depth of Your love and the richness of Your promises as revealed in Your Word. We pray that Your Word would take root in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we turn our attention to the Word of God, let's open our hearts and minds to receive the truth that God wants to reveal to us today. Let's allow the truth of His Word to penetrate our hearts, to transform our minds, and to shape our lives. Let's allow the Word of God to be our guide, our comfort, and our hope. Let's allow the Word of God to be our source of strength, our beacon of hope, and our eternal promise keeper.
Perfect Promise Fulfilled
Perfect Promise Fulfilled
As we consider the words of Isaiah, we consider a promise that was made centuries before it was fulfilled. A promise that was spoken into the void of human despair and longing. A promise that was given by God Himself of a child.
This child was to be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. These are not just titles or designations. They are declarations of His character, His nature, and His mission. They are revelations of who He is and what He came to do.
The first declaration is that He is the Wonderful Counselor. The original Hebrew word for "wonderful" means beyond understanding or comprehension. It speaks of something that is extraordinary, marvelous, and awe-inspiring. The word for "counselor" refers to one who gives advice, guidance, and direction. It speaks of one who has wisdom, understanding, and insight.
Together, these words paint a picture of a counselor. He is beyond our understanding, a counselor who is extraordinary in His wisdom, a counselor who is marvelous in His guidance, a counselor who is awe-inspiring in His insight. This is the counselor who was promised to us. This is the counselor who was born to us
Secondly, He is the Mighty God. The original Hebrew word for "mighty" means strong, powerful, and valiant. It speaks of one who has great strength, who is capable of accomplishing great feats, who is fearless in the face of adversity. The word for "God" refers to the one true God, the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer of all life, the Sovereign over all things.
Next, the Lord is called the Everlasting Father. The original Hebrew word for "everlasting" means eternal, unending, and perpetual. It speaks of something that has no beginning and no end, something that is constant and unchanging, something that is timeless and enduring. The word for "father" refers to a paternal figure, a provider, a protector.
Finally, He is the Prince of Peace. The original Hebrew word for "prince" means ruler, leader, and commander. It speaks of one who has authority, who exercises control, who commands respect. The word for "peace" refers to tranquility, harmony, and wholeness. It speaks of a state of being where there is no conflict, no discord, no unrest. This is the prince who was promised to us.
Transition
As we stand on the precipice of this promise, as we gaze into the depths of its fulfillment, we are left in awe of the magnitude of God's love, the richness of His grace, and the certainty of His faithfulness. For to us a child was born, to us a son was given, and the government is on His shoulders. And He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Profound Peace Provided
Profound Peace Provided
Now, let us consider the peace provided by the birth of this child. This is a peace that surpasses all human understanding, a peace that is not dependent on external circumstances but is anchored in the unchanging nature of God Himself.
The birth of this child signifies the advent of a peace that is not of this world. This peace is not a fleeting feeling or a momentary state of calm, but a lasting condition of the soul, a deep-seated tranquility that permeates every aspect of our lives.
Amid the storms of life, when the winds of adversity blow and the waves of trouble roll, this peace provides a safe harbor, a refuge, and a place of rest. It's a peace that quiets the troubled heart, calms the anxious mind, and soothes the weary soul.
Hebrew word study. The original Hebrew word for peace used in this verse is "shalom." This word carries a much deeper and broader meaning than the English word "peace." It signifies not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness, completeness, and well-being. It encompasses every aspect of life, including our relationships with God and with others, our physical health, and our emotional and spiritual well-being.
Hebrew word study continued. The word "shalom" is used in many other passages in the Old Testament. For instance, in Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’
Here, "shalom" is associated with the blessing, favor, and presence of God.
In Psalm 29:11
The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Here, "shalom" is linked with the strength and blessing of God. It's a peace that comes from knowing that God is with us, that He is for us, and that He is working all things together for our good.
This peace is an active force that guards our hearts and minds.
In Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
This peace also serves as a guide, leading us in the paths of righteousness.
In Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
This peace rules in our hearts, guiding our thoughts, our words, and our actions, leading us in the ways of love, joy, and righteousness.
Transition
The peace provided by the birth of this child, as prophesied by Isaiah, is a profound, all-encompassing peace that surpasses all understanding. It's a peace that is freely given by God to those who put their trust in Him. It's a peace that brings comfort in sorrow, strength in weakness, and hope in despair.
Powerful Prince Proclaimed
Powerful Prince Proclaimed
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the richness of Isaiah's prophecy, we are drawn to the majestic declaration of the coming Prince. The birth of this child, this son given unto us, is not merely an event of historical significance. No, dear friends, it is a proclamation of power, a heralding of a Prince, a divine decree of a dominion that is eternal.
This is the heart of our Christmas Eve reflection - the Powerful Prince Proclaimed.
Let's first consider the magnitude of this proclamation. The term 'Prince' in the original Hebrew text is 'sar', which signifies a ruler, a captain, and a chief. It is a term that carries with it a sense of authority, of leadership, of governance. But this is no ordinary prince. This is the Prince of Peace, the one who brings harmony and wholeness, the one who reconciles and restores. The proclamation of this Prince is not just about the arrival of a ruler, but the advent of a reign of righteousness, a kingdom of peace.
J.I. Packer quote. In the words of the renowned theologian, J.I. Packer,
The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity
- hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory
- because at the Father's will Jesus Christ became poor and was born in a stable so that thirty years later he might hang on a cross- J.I. Packer
This, dear friends, is the hope that the proclamation of this Prince brings - a hope that is anchored in the birth of a baby in a manger, a hope that is realized in the death of a Savior on a cross.
Now, let's turn our attention to the nature of this Prince's reign.
The government, Isaiah tells us, will be upon His shoulders.
This is a vivid depiction of the weight of authority and responsibility that this Prince will bear. But this is not a burden borne out of obligation or compulsion. No, this is a mantle assumed out of love, out of a desire to shepherd His people, to guide them in paths of peace.
Theologian John Stott beautifully captures this when he says,
"The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve."
This is the essence of our Prince's reign - a reign marked by love, exemplified by service, and characterized by humility.
Transition
As we reflect on the Powerful Prince Proclaimed, let's not just marvel at the majesty of His reign or be awed by the authority of His rule.
Let's allow the reality of His reign to transform our lives, to shape our attitudes, to guide our actions.
Let's not just celebrate the birth of this Prince; let's commit to living under the reign of this Prince.
For in doing so, we find our true purpose, our deepest joy, and our eternal hope.
Conclusion
Remember the incredible love that our God has for us. A love so profound that He gave us His only Son, the Prince of Peace. This is a love that reaches into the depths of our despair, our pain, our confusion, and offers us a peace that surpasses all understanding. It's a love that doesn't shy away from our mess but meets us right in the middle of it. It's a love that promises to walk with us through every storm, to guide us through every valley, and to celebrate with us on every mountaintop.
And so, as we go from here, let's carry this truth in our hearts. Let's remember that we are loved by a Mighty God, guided by a Wonderful Counselor, cared for by an Everlasting Father, and granted peace by a Prince of Peace. Let's remember that no matter what we face, we are never alone, never forgotten, and never without hope.
Let's bow our heads for our closing prayer.
Dear Lord, we thank You for Your Word that has spoken to us today. We thank You for Your love that never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on us. As we leave this place, help us to carry Your peace in our hearts, to reflect Your love in our actions, and to share Your hope with those we meet. Guide us, protect us, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
And now, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.