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by Stephen Sizer, VA
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7
If you were the real Father Christmas and you happened to visit a few hundred
thousand churches today on a pre-Christmas dry run, I suspect you would find a
common theme running through many sermons preached this morning. Marc Lawrence
and Katie Ford wrote one of my all time favorite films Miss Congeniality. It’s
about an FBI agent, played by Sandra Bullock, who must go undercover in the Miss
United States beauty pageant to prevent a group of terrorists from bombing the
event. It has some classic lines – like when Stan Fields asks Miss Rhode Island,
"please describe your idea of a perfect date". She replies, "That's a tough one.
I would have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you
need is a light jacket". Or when Miss New Jersey is asked why it is called "The
Garden State"? Gracie Hart replies, "Because "Oil and Petrochemical Refinery
State" wouldn't fit on a license plate?" Each of the contestants is asked the
same final question "what is the one most important thing our society needs?"
They all reply "world peace" and the crowd cheers ecstatically. But when Sandra
Bullock the undercover FBI agent is asked she replies, "That would be... harsher
punishment for parole violators." And then after a long pause, she adds, "And
world peace!" and the crowd cheers ecstatically. What does this world need most?
"World Peace" will be a common, predictable message we will hear on the TV and
radio, in charity adverts and from pulpits over the next couple of weeks. The
question is – how to achieve it? I believe the UN Declaration of Human Rights to
be the finest and most important document devised by mankind. But human words
will not bring about peace on earth. I support the humanitarian work of the
United Nations wholeheartedly, but the UN will never achieve world peace through
passing resolutions and by intervening with peace keeping forces. This week the
Archbishop of Canterbury and other Church leaders in the UK called for military
intervention to stop the killing in the Congo. I support that call, and similar
initiatives in Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Palestine, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Somalia and
Columbia, and a hundred other places in our world where people are hurting one
another, but the UN cannot resolve the underlining causes. That is because
hunger, ignorance, poverty and disease are the symptoms not the causes. Only one
person can bring world peace and one day he will. Jesus Christ. Among his
people, among those who recognize him, who own him, who submit to him, he serve
him, we can experience a foretaste of that peace he will most surely bring one
day soon. Please turn with me to Isaiah 9:1-7 and let us meet him, let us learn
from his names and learn of his purposes for us, for our families, for our world
and for the future.
"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In
the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the
future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the
Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living
in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (Isaiah 9:1-2)
Lets note the context of this great prophecy. Despite Israel's rejection of
God's word through Isaiah (8:11, 17, 19-20), God plans to give his people light
again. The humbling of the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali refers to the invasion
and annexation of the northern parts of Israel by Tiglath-pileser III in 733/732
B.C. "The way of the sea" almost certainly refers to Sharon or Philistia, while
"Galilee of the Gentiles" is probably Gilead and southeast Syria. The Assyrians
carved out three provinces for themselves from these areas. These lands, the
first to feel the ominous tread of the warrior's boot (v.5), would be the first
to see the new and great light God would focus on Israel.[1]
And that light would come through a supernatural sign: "Therefore the Lord
himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14). Then in Isaiah 9:6-7 we are told
more:
"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 Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase 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. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Notice how the language is couched in the past tense. As Alec Motyer points out,
the future is so certain, it is written as something which has already happened.
It is as if Isaiah were saying, "Look forward to it. It is certain. He has
already done it"[2]
Billy Graham has said, "Many may have expected that, in manifesting the terror
of his majesty and the greatness of his love, God would rend the heavens and
cause fountains of fire to burst upon the world – but he did not. God works in
mysterious ways his wonders to perform." He chose to reveal himself supremely in
becoming a human being. God and man in the same person – the only person as
Billy Graham has said, "equally at home in heaven and on the earth". Of this
unique person are given not one but four royal titles.
1. Wonderful Counsellor
The first word – ‘wonderful’ is most significant. In Hebrew it comes from a root
word Pele, that is "almost exclusively used of the things that only God can do…
something beyond human capability."[3] His Pre-existence was wonderful. His
Conception was wonderful. No ordinary child was this. "Wonderful in his
conception, not of man but of the Holy Spirit."[4] His Conception was wonderful.
His Birth was wonderful. "When the angelic hosts called out "Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men." Jesus brought heaven and
earth together… Heaven and earth … united by the Babe of Bethlehem."[5] His
Birth was wonderful. His Life was wonderful.
"He mingled with sinners, yet was sinless. He consorted with the rich men of his
day, but "had no place to lay his head" … untainted by their gold. He associated
with publicans but never partook of their sins. Hs enemies could find not one
single flaw in his reproachless character." His Life was wonderful. His Teaching
was wonderful. His Miracles were wonderful. His Transfiguration was wonderful.
His Death was wonderful. "His vicarious death was a fitting climax to his
selfless living. He lived for others. He died for others. When they scourged
him, he opened not his mouth… When they jeered him, he said, "Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do."[6] His death was wonderful because he
died for you, to reconcile you to God, to redeem you, to set you free. His Death
was wonderful. His Resurrection was wonderful. His Ascension was wonderful. His
return will be wonderful. Jesus is wonderful.
Linked with the word ‘Counsellor’ Jesus brings God’s supernatural wisdom. If
ever our world needed the wisdom and counsel of Christ, it does today. And this
wisdom is ours for the asking. Charles Simeon explains, "His people too he
endues with "wisdom from above," enabling them to discern things hidden from the
carnal eye, and guiding them in the way to heaven."[7]
As your counsellor He brings God’s wisdom to you.
Yes, his name shall be called wonderful counsellor. Jesus is our personal
Advocate, Counsellor and Defence. He is, as Billy Graham says, "equal to every
emergency" the answer to every "problem in our lives." Wonderful Counsellor.
2. Mighty God
The second title confirms the implication of the first – that this child will be
divine. As the writer to Hebrews explains,
"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and
in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he
appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The
Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word. " (Hebrews 1:1-3)
For orthodox Jews, practicing Muslims and secular rationalists, the belief that
Jesus is God in the flesh is anathema. Indeed this was the very reason the
religious authorities crucified Jesus – for the claim to be God. Yet as we saw
right through the Autumn when we considered the "I am" statements in John’s
gospel, Jesus repeatedly took the name of God for himself. "Before Abraham was
born, I am" (John 8:58); "I and the Father are One" (John 10:30).
As Charles Simeon points out, "Angels and magistrates are sometimes called gods
in a subordinate sense; but He is "The mighty God," "God with us," even "God
over all, blessed for ever." … Indeed, if he were not God, he never could bear
upon his shoulder the government of the universe. He must be omnipresent,
omniscient, omnipotent, or else he never could hear the supplications, and
supply the wants, of all his people at the same instant.[8] He is indeed,
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God.
3. Everlasting Father
This title refers not to his divine title but the character he bears and the
manner with which he cares for his children with father-like compassion and
tenderness. The title defines his relationship to his people. Simeon writes,
"The Jewish dispensation was intended to continue but for a limited time; but
the Christian dispensation was never to be succeeded by any other: hence it is
called "the last times;" and may be considered as "the everlasting age." Of this
Christ is the author; it owes its existence to him as its parent; it is
preserved by his guardian care; and the whole family in heaven and earth who
participate its blessings, both bear his image, and inherit his glory[9]
He is literally "father of eternity" for all eternity he will deal with his
children as a loving father.[10] Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God. Everlasting
Father
4. Prince of Peace
The Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom’. It means so much more than simply the
absence of war and conflict. The word signifies both prosperity and tranquillity.
Jesus is literally the bringer of this peace, the Prince of Peace.
It is his nature. It is his passion. He is the bringer of this peace. "Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do
not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
The desire for peace is universal. Billy Graham says, "It is our nature to want
to live [at peace] quietly, free from confusion, discord and strife." Perhaps
that is why at Christmas, we long for peace. But this kind of peace will only
come to the world, one person at a time, when we recognise Jesus as the Prince
of Peace, the bringer of peace, the one who has made peace, reconciling us to
God. For "He Himself is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14). Wonderful Counsellor
because we are lost and blind; Mighty God because we are weak and powerless;
Everlasting Father because we are dead in our sin; Prince of Peace because we
all deserve God’s wrath. Having introduced us to our Saviour and Lord, Isaiah
concludes,
"Of the increase 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. The zeal of the LORD
Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:7)
The Lord Almighty will indeed accomplish this. Harman summarises what we have
learnt about the Messiah,
"Taken together, the terms speak of the child as one who will instruct with
wisdom which is divine, who will act in power as the mighty God, who will love
and care for his children eternally, and whose coming will bring lasting peace
and blessing."[11] My prayer is that this message of Christmas will be good news
to you and those you love. That Jesus will be a Wonderful Saviour to you, that
he will be your Advocate and Counsellor, to plead your case before the Judge of
the universe. I pray that Christ will be the Prince of Peace in your life,
bringing love, joy and peace, this Christmas and forever more. Amen.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have
power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now
to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according
to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians
3:16-21)
With grateful thanks to Travis Moore, James Davis and Brian Harrell for their
sermons published on Isaiah 9 at www.sermoncentral.com
References/Notes
[1] Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary.
[2] Alec Motyer, The Prophecy of Isaiah (Leicester, IVP)
[3] Allan Harman, Isaiah, A Covenant to be kept for the sake of the church (Fearn,
Christian Focus), pp. 98-99.
[4] Billy Graham, "When God’s Son came to earth" Decision, December 1989.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7]Simeon, Charles: Horae Homileticae Vol. 7: Proverbs to Isaiah XXVI. London,
1832-63, S. 527
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Harman, op.cit., p. 99.
[11] Ibid.
As your counsellor He is always available.
As your counsellor He gives you His undivided attention.
As your counsellor He comforts you on the way to eternal life.
As your counsellor He guides you into all truth.
See Also:
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