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Much More Than Baby Jesus!
Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
At this time of year people are often preoccupied with shopping, party preparations, travel plans and the whole spectrum of secular holiday celebration. Then, there is the Christian crowd the resists the secular pressures and sincerely tries to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are in that number, I heartily commend you for your faithfulness to our Lord. But, at the same time, I exhort you to look beyond the babe in the manger and be sure you see and share the BIG PICTURE. The best single verse that will help you do just that is Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." This verse is our focus. Lets look at it closely.
With out a doubt, one of the first things that comes to mind when a Christian thinks about Christmas is the birth of Christ. And there is nothing wrong with that. That is exactly what we read about in Luke 2:4-7 "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Over the years I have collected several lithographs and drawings of this God ordained event. But there is more to this birth than meets the eye as we will see in our study of Isaiah 9:6. Lets consider the first phrase ...unto us a child is born This phrase points out the fact that Jesus was human! He came into the world the same way you and I come, that is he was born of a woman. Galatians 4:4 says, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." While he was indeed born of a woman as you and I were, this verse says he was made of a woman. We are made of a man and a woman. While Jesus was the same in one sense, that is he was human, he is different in another sense. He was made of a woman. We will look at what that means a bit later. Right now I want to get back to the humanity of Jesus Christ. He is called the Son of Man 88 times in the New Testament. Further, he referred to himself as a man. In John 8:40 Jesus says, But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. My point is simply this. The phrase unto us a child is born points out the fact that Christ is human and because he is human, he can identify with us. Hebrews 4:15 affirms that when it says, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus Christ was human. He was the son of man. He can identify with us. I am thankful for a compassionate Savior who understands our temptations and our feelings and yet did not sin.
Unlike the conception of any other human being, a human father played absolutely no part in the conception of Christ. He was made of a woman not of a man an a woman! Luke 1:35 describes the miraculous conception of Christ. "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (see Luke 1:26-35 for a more complete explanation). Now, lets move on to the next phrase. This little phrase, unto us a son is given, is a powerful statement of the deity of Christ. Jesus Christ is God! Why do I say that? Turn with me to John 1:1 & 14 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Jesus Christ is the second person of the Holy Trinity, the very Son of God! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Look at 1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. But that is not all. All the fullness of God dwells in His son, Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; You see, the Son given by God is the eternal Lord of Glory. Thus we have what theologians call the hypostatic union. That is, there is a mysterious union of divinity and humanity in Jesus of Nazareth. Now, I want to make it clear, I am not talking about hybrid humanity or degraded deity. I am talking about Jesus Christ being fully man and at the same time fully God. That is an enigma for our finite mind, but it is true. The babe in the manger was the Lord of Glory!!!
Many have aspired to be the ruler of the world and a few have even claimed to the title! But in reality they were not really the world sovereign but just the world known to them. However, Christ will be the global ruler. In the future, Anti-Christ will attempt to rule the world but his rule will short lived. Then, after the 7 year Tribulation Christ breaks on the scene (Jude 1:14-15) and "He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 1 Timothy 6:15. Christ is the only one who can claim the title deed to this earth (Revelation 5:9). He created the Earth and all that is in it (Revelation 10:6). And He will rule this earth with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:27) for 1,000 years and then He will rule the universe for all of eternity. At first glance you'd never suspect that babe in the manger is the King of the Universe!
"Wonderful" [Hebrew - t] is not an adjective it is a noun; this is His name. It means miracle or awe. Everything about the person and work of Christ excites wonder from His virgin birth to his miracles, to his atoning death, and literal, physical, bodily resurrection.
The word means to advise or give counsel. A counselor is one who analyzes a situation and gives advice. Christ is our counselor. All wisdom and knowledge resident with and in Christ (Colossians 2:3). Little wonder that the Aspotle Paul said, Philippians 3:10-14 "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Christ never sought the counsel of man, and He never asked for the advice of men. Why? Because He was the Lord, the author of wisdom and truth! "For who known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" (Romans 11:34). God has no counselor. The Lord Jesus Christ never called His disciples together and said, "Now, fellows, what do you think I ought to do?" The fact is, we are to go to Christ for counsel for He is the divine counselor and his counsel can be found yet today in the BIBLE!
The Hebrew word for this name is [Hebrew Bab] - El Gibbor. He is the one to whom "all power is given." He is the omnipotent God. That little baby lying helpless on Mary's bosom held the universe together (Colossians 1:17). He said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18). He is the Mighty God! Consider Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Christ is the Omnipotent God!
This title means the Father of eternity or the Author of Eternity. This simply means that he is the Creator of all things, even time, the ages, and the far-off purpose of all things. As John said, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). In Colossians 1:16 Paul said, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." The baby in the manger is the Author of Eternity
The Bible also speaks much of two other kinds of peace--peace on earth and peace in a believers heart. When Christ is in control of the believers life he/she can have that peace. Philippians 4:7 says, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. However, PEACE ON EARTH will not come until Jesus Christ returns to destroy the rebels and establish His kingdom on earth (Ps. 37:9-11; 72:1-8; Is. 9:6,7; 66:12; Eze. 34:23-25; Hag. 2:6,7). Until then, men on earth will attempt in vain their human schemes for peace (1 Th. 5:3; Re. 6:4). The Bible says there is no peace for the wicked (Is. 48:22; 57:21). As long as the world is in rebellion against God and His Christ (Ps. 2), and as long as the governments of the world are ruled by wicked men, there will not be peace on earth. This is not pessimism, but reality. Peace will come on earth when King Jesus Rules on earth during the Millennium In conclusion, it is clear to see that Isaiah 9:6 is a short, but power packed verse. It reveals the identity of the baby in Bethlehem's manger. This should keep us from becoming preoccupied with the helpless infant and recognize him as the LORD OF GLORY! Is Jesus Christ your Savior? If not, repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today! HERES HOW TO BECOME A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." I Peter 2:24 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:25
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 Pray this simple prayer in faith Dear Lord, Thank you for loving me enough to send your Son to die for my sins and to raise Him from the dead that I might be saved. I admit that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and I know that none of my good works can ever earn your forgiveness. I believe what the Bible says, that salvation is a free gift given to anyone who puts his or her faith in Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, come into my life and be my Savior. Thank you. Amen. If your was genuine and heart felt you can KNOW THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12 Let us know of your decision for Christ that we might rejoice in Gods goodness to you.
E-mail: FirstBaptistChurchOC@gmail.com
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