Isaiah 9:6-7 “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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness 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.”
This is a stunning passage of scripture! Jesus hadn’t been born yet – he wouldn’t be for another 700 years – and yet already the prophets were speaking remarkable things about him.
What high titles roll off Isaiah’s tongue. He speaks of Jesus as God Almighty; he speaks of him as everlasting; as a prince and a father; and as just and righteous. Were words like these ever reserved for another?
Not only are the ascriptions given to Jesus unique, but the accomplishments he would bring about are too. His, according to Isaiah, will be a government and with it he will accomplish a peace which knows no end. Peace is a familiar theme at Christmas (see the 7th day of advent), and people have noble thoughts of world peace in the year to come, but in reality the world only waxes worse. Less peace and more dismay; that’s the unconscious mantra of this world. So, has Jesus failed to fulfil Isaiah’s prophetic words?
Of course, the answer is no. Jesus didn’t come to make the war on Syria disappear, or the conflict between Israel and Palestine desist. No, he came to bring peace to the hearts of his people. To remove the perpetual turmoil and ruination that sin reeks in our lives, and to overturn it completely! Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.â€
He brought peace, by waging war on sin and satan and “having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”