“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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase/greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isa. 9:6-7
Lord Jesus, we will exhaust the wonder of this passage when… well, never. With my friends, I am thankful we encounter this glorious passage between your first and final coming. You’ve already come as the promised child-Savior, and you will return as our longed-for King and Bridegroom. Knowing the government of the entire world already rests on your shoulders fills us with a joy second to knowing your shoulders fully bore the guilt of our sin.
You are a Wonder of a Counselor. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in you (Col. 2:3). But you didn’t come just to give us advise, but to give yourself. You are “our wisdom from God—our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).
You are Mighty God, creator and sustainer of the entire universe—the One by whom and for whom all things have been made (Col. 1:6). You sustain everything by the power of your word (Heb. 1:3), and one Day all things will be summed up in you (Eph. 1:10).
Jesus, to see you is to see the Father, and to know you is to know the Father. In this sense you are Everlasting Father. We would never be able to cry, “Abba Father,” if you hadn’t first cried, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).
You are Prince of Peace—only you deserve this title for you paid the price of our peace. Because of your finished work, Jesus, God is at peace with us, and we have peace with him. All hostilities and dividing walls will eventually crumble under the weight of your grace.
Everywhere sin and death have done their worst, you claim as the domain of your redeeming love. Your blessings, government, and peace are flowing “far as the curse is found.” Hallelujah, and come back soon, Lord Jesus! So Very Amen, we pray.