The Promised King
The Promised King
Intro:
This holiday season, I hope we are being reminded of the reason for all this celebration and merriment we feel in the air. Isn’t it remarkable that no matter what country we came from, or wherever place we find ourselves in, or whatever race we belong, there is one festivity that most people in the world commemorate? Christmas is one of these very few holidays. Isn’t it pretty crazy to think that this holiday all revolves around the birth of a baby? This baby grew up, became a man, claimed to be God, and Savior of the world. He died, and after three days, He rose again. His followers that He left then turned the world upside down. And even though historically, December 25th is not the most accurate birthdate of this baby, this day has become such a special occasion all around the world.
So why is Christmas so special? It is only because this baby was indeed more than special. This baby is none other than Jesus. He came and brought life, joy, peace, and all the things we sing about during Christmas time. He is the Messiah or the Anointed One. Presently, we are looking back to the birth of Jesus. However, hundreds of years before Jesus was born, He was already seen as more than special. People were looking forward to this Messiah’s coming. Why? Because He was also going to be a different kind of king for His people. Today, we are going to see some prophecies about His kingship and see how Jesus fulfilling them should impact our lives not just during the Christmas season, but for all seasons beyond.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
I. The Glory of the King (v.6)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
This passage transpired about 700 years before the birth of Jesus when there was still a kingdom in Judah. Prophet Isaiah was warning, then King Ahaz that there will be a coming judgment and darkness soon because of the people’s evil and corrupt ways. God will send His judgment through different occurrences. Israel, Judah’s neighboring kingdom failed their people in leading them to God. No matter what they did, their kings led people far away from God. Isaiah was begging Judah to be different from the kingdom of Israel. However, Isaiah still prophesied dark days for Judah, but there is a light coming. There is hope. A King is coming that will revolutionize everything.
In our passage, Isaiah came to King Ahaz to tell him that even though many kings have failed and will fail their nation, God promises to save His people through a King, unlike anyone that has come before Him. This echoes God’s covenant to David hundreds of years before Isaiah. This covenant is found in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 which says, “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” This passage is God’s promise to David that one of his descendants will be on his throne for eternity. Who was this promised descendant promised David? And who is this being prophesied by Isaiah? It certainly was not Ahaz or his son, Hezekiah, or any of Judah’s or Israel’s kings. This covenantal and prophesied King is none other than Jesus. We can see this fulfilled clearly after almost a thousand years after God’s promise to David. In Luke 1:32-33, an angel tells Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
So, what did Isaiah reveal about this promised King?
A. His Origin. In our passage in Isaiah, we see that this King will be “a child born, and a son given.” If you were listening to Isaiah back in those times, you’d say he’s just using repetition to make a point. However, as they were looking forward, we can now look back and see how Jesus perfectly fulfilled both of these statements. We all know He was born in a manger where the animals were. He lived in complete humility and humanity. Jesus was born as a regular human child. He lived a simple life, and he grew up. And yet He was also a son given. What does this mean? It means this Son was God’s gift freely offered to the world. What does John 3:16 say? “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” We see here the Deity or the Godhood of Jesus. A child born and Son given emphasizing that He is not like any other king Judah or Israel had. Yes, he’s a normal man, but He is also God’s Son given to humanity.
B. His Government. We then see that this prophesied King will carry the government on His shoulders. Back in those times, they put tassels and sometimes a cape on a king’s shoulders to show royalty and rulership for everyone to see. A king carries the weight of his whole kingdom and government. However, we know the symbol of government that Jesus had was different. Remember, when Jesus was about to be crucified, he was carrying something on His shoulders. The cross became Jesus’ symbol to the world that He is a gracious and merciful King. The cross symbolized the weight He had to carry on His shoulders. He carried the whole world ‘s burdens on Himself. Isaiah might not have seen it, but the government this King had was so different than any other he had seen. A preacher put it this way, “What might such a government look like? First of all, it would look like its king. Politicians of this day look for what they can get from you. Jesus looks for what He can do for you. Leaders of this day surround themselves with servants. Jesus surrounds us with His servanthood. Leaders of this day use their power to build their empire. Jesus uses his power to wash our feet and make us clean and comfortable. Leaders of this day trade their influence for money. God so loved that he gave…”
C. His Titles. We then see His names or the titles that this King will have. They mostly describe the character of this Promised King.
a. He is called the “Wonderful Counselor.” How can you describe the best advice-givers or counselors? They’re not just those who are smarter or have a lot more information than you. They’re those who can sympathize and empathize with you because they have gone through a similar experience as you have. The reason why Jesus can be called a Wonderful Counselor is because there is so much wonder to Him because He is God and yet also a man. He is so above us, and yet He came down to us. He became man that he felt and experienced our thirst, hunger, weakness, pain, and even death. He felt the full effects of sin even though He did not once sin. That is why He can be a Wonderful Counselor. He knows how we have been broken by sin, and He can give us healing, freedom, and life if we listen to Him.
b. He is also the “Mighty God.” The power and might that any human king might crave for are all in Jesus. He possesses God’s unmatched strength and might. He is the all-powerful God, and nothing can ever be a match to Him. Kings might act like gods, but Jesus is God in the flesh. He did not consider His deity and power to separate Him from us. He did not look at us as worthless, but in His might gave Himself for us.
c. He is the “Everlasting Father.” We should not confuse this as though the prophesy is saying that this man is God the Father. This is just saying that this King is the Father of Eternity. He rules even time itself. He is from eternity to eternity.
d. Lastly, He is the “Prince of Peace.” Every other king shows themselves as strong enough to win wars. This Promised King’s banner is peace. Sometimes we think of peace as being natural and easy. We think of peace as just avoiding conflict. Real peace however is active. When we are in conflict with someone, isn’t it easier to just allow this conflict to linger? It’s harder to deal with it and bring reconciliation. Jesus brought peace in the hardest places of humanity. He brought peace to a heart that is in enmity with God. He brings peace between enemies. He brings peace to those in turmoil and in distress in their hearts. He does this beautiful act, and it is nothing short of a miracle.
When we look back at this prophecy, how do we know this was Jesus? Because after 800 or so years after Isaiah, Paul wrote of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
I know that’s a lengthy theological discussion about Jesus, but why is this important to us in the 21st century? Because we need to answer some questions about Him. Do we know this King? What is fantastic about this is that yes, Jesus is so far above us that He is on the throne ruling high in all of the creation and yet He also intimately knows us. He knows our past, present and future. He knows our dreams, desires, and ambitions. He also knows our hurts, pains, weaknesses and failures. He knows us so much more than we know ourselves and even the things we deeply hide from anyone. And yet, He loves us. What kind of a King can say that? He does not see us as not worth His time or effort. He does not have bigger things to do. He has everything creation can offer, and yet what He desires the most is for us to be with Him. He wants us to know Him and love Him too. This King desires for His people to be in an intimate and personal relationship with Him.
One other question we need to ask simply is, “Is Jesus Our King?” Then why are we worried if we have the Wonderful Counselor for us? He will guide and lead us. Why are we scared when we have the Mighty God over us? Why are we anxious over the future, when the Everlasting Father holds the future in His hands? And why is there so much turmoil in our hearts when we are under the Prince of Peace? If Jesus is our King then who is ruling in our lives?
Jesus is the King that came down from His throne and came to the dark and broken place where we find ourselves to bring us to Himself. This is unlike any other King that came before and will come after. This King walked where the Israelites walked, and yet they completely missed Him. Will we miss him too? Jesus is the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords, but is Jesus our King? Will we trust Him and worship Him? Will we follow Him and love Him? How should our lives look if Jesus is the King of our lives?
II. The Goodness of His Kingdom (v.7)
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
In this section, Isaiah talks about the kingdom of the coming King. It says that His government will increase with no end. How will it grow? Again, it is not by sheer force or by conquering through war. It is in peace. Isaiah also said that it would be established and upheld by justice and righteousness. If you think that the systems and governments in this world are broken with innumerable injustices and corruption, there will be a different kingdom coming.
Their kingdom is surrounded by darkness, but a light is coming. It seemed impossible at the time, but Isaiah closes the section saying the “zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” This means that the God of all heavenly armies will make sure that this King will come. God will make sure this prophecy will be fulfilled because He desires to do so and nothing can stop it.
So, what was the use of this promise by God to the Israelites? It is all in one word, hope. Isaiah wanted to tell them not to put their ultimate hope on a human king and an earthly kingdom. Whatever wrong that was done, there will be a day when it will be made right. There is a time when all pain and suffering will be over. A kingdom of peace ruled with justice, and righteousness is coming. Isn’t this the kind of kingdom or government people want? Sadly, we will never have this kind of kingdom as long as our earthly leaders or kings are still broken and fallen people.
However, we can hope because the Kingdom of God is now here, but not yet. This statement is a pretty deep theological principle, but it’s just saying that one day the Kingdom of God will come down to earth and fully manifest itself with the throne being occupied by Jesus Himself. However, Jesus ushered this kingdom first in His first coming. It is represented by those who have been saved and are under the rule of Jesus. Right now, this kingdom is invisible, and we only have a glimpse of it. A friend of mine gave me an excellent view of the Kingdom of God in its present state. She said, “The Kingdom of God manifests wherever and whenever the Lordship of King Jesus is present.”
How does this apply to us today? Again, we need to ask some questions. The first is, “whose kingdom do we belong?” Are we just part of this world’s kingdom and system that seeks to amass all the stuff and pleasures one can have? Or do we now belong to the Kingdom of Heaven? If so, then every aspect of our life should be affected because we are part of Christ’s kingdom. This means we cannot compartmentalize our lives. We cannot live like heavenly people on Sundays and be completely different people from Monday to Friday. Belonging to this kingdom means that we should be living in such a way that is reflective of what it is to be ruled by Jesus. Our words, actions, and thoughts should be drastically different. You see, we had a change in citizenship not because of our own merits but because a King was so gracious and loving that He placed us in His household. How should this impact us? Matthew 6:33 gives us an answer. It says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
What should our relationships look like if we are seeking God’s Kingdom first? How should we steward our money? How should we value work? How should we face challenges and trials in life? Because we belong to God’s Kingdom we should be thinking through life with a different view. How we do this all fall into how intimately close we are with the King. If we are falling more in love with Jesus however, we are going to enjoy doing His will in our lives. We will be full living in His kingdom here on earth.
The last question we need to ask is, “whose kingdom are we building?” As God’s people, we have gotten a glimpse of what this ever-growing kingdom looks like. It is a kingdom of peace, justice and righteousness. Because we have seen the kind of Kingdom Jesus will bring to earth one day, we can then work right now so the world will have a preview of what this future Kingdom will be. Because of our work, people can see that life in this kingdom is so much better. Living in the Kingdom of God is to be ruled by Christ’s love, grace, mercy, justice, and holiness. How can we let people get a glimpse of a better kingdom they can belong? We invite them to taste and see that the Lord is good. We work as agents of God’s goodness on this earth. We become witnesses to the work He has done in our lives. We engage in the most broken places and work to heal, grow, and flourish those areas so people can see the abundant life that God has for them. In this way, we are building God’s Kingdom. One day, we will see His Kingdom on earth visibly with Jesus on the throne. It is because we have this vision of what that future Kingdom that we cannot lose hope. We can endure because we have seen the glory of the King and the goodness of His Kingdom.