Section 1 – 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Section 1 Bible Study – Isaiah 9:6
The majority of Christian depictions of Christmas, such as Nativity scenes, depict nighttime darkness contrasted with images of light. A Star of Bethlehem shining brightly in the clear night is one popular vision of Christmas. Another is a torch-lit manger, with Mary, Joseph, and others gathered around the swaddled Jesus.
These popular and beautiful scenes point to a much deeper meaning behind Christmas. Jesus is our light – and that light entered into a dark world.
At Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of Jesus – the always-existing Word of God taking on human flesh. And while Christmas is a time for joy, celebration and recognition of God’s power in our world, that same celebration also brings with it a humble admission that our world is not what it should be.
There would be no Christmas if it weren’t for the fallen nature of human beings, and indeed, our world as a whole. Jesus would have never needed to take on human flesh if we were able to fix our problems by ourselves.
The dark night that we often envision at Christmas is representative of the world Jesus entered. And although His light has spread through the Gospel, it is still very much the same world we live in today.
The prophet Isaiah wrote during a particularly stormy period in Israel’s history. The massive Assyrian army and its allies had conquered the northern part of the Israel nation, and the southern lands, Judea, where Jerusalem resides, were under constant threat. As a tiny country, Israel was often torn between untrustworthy allies and bullied by ambitious empire builders. It’s location on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea meant that it was a bridge between Europe, Asia, and Africa. This also meant that practically every major political player wanted control over it for its strategic value.
The nation of Israel would face hundreds of years of being tossed back and forth between controlling nations – the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, and then the Romans, who reigned during Jesus’ time. The nation of Israel faced continual darkness at the hands of outside oppressors. They longed for a light in the night.
When Isaiah wrote the words we read in 9:6, he spoke to a promise that God had not abandoned His people, but instead was sending a savior among them. Israel longed for relief from their burdens, and Isaiah pointed to a time when God would fulfill their desire with a King unlike any other that had ever been seen before.
No, Israelite and Jewish people had no real idea what Jesus’ Kingdom would be like. They expected a powerful warlord to drive out their oppressors, but God instead sent a preacher and healer. They wanted a man to build advantageous political alliances with their enemies, but God gave them Jesus to build connections with Him instead. They hoped to find lasting peace in this world, but Christ instead pointed them to the eternal peace promised through the Gospel.
Our world is dark – and God has sent the Light through His Son. The message of Christmas is that hope has arrived, but it doesn’t always look like what we expect. God’s love, power, and mercy reigns over our lives, but it isn’t forced upon us. God doesn’t conquer us and enslave us into His rule. We must turn to Him and seek His light.
The darkness of night in Christmas scenes highlights all the more the necessity we have for Jesus. We too need a King – a leader to counsel us, lead us, bring us peace. We also need to look with anticipation as to what this King is going to do in our own lives.
So while we remember what God did in sending Jesus at Christmas, we also look forward with wonder at what God would continue to do in our own lives. Just in the same way that Isaiah prophesied about the great works of the coming Messiah, we too should expect that same King to make miraculous movements in our own lives here and now.
Section 1 Questions
- Why did Isaiah prophesy joyfully about a coming King? What did the Israelite/Jewish people hope this Messiah would do for them?
- What did peace mean for the Israelite/Jewish people?
- What does dependency on God for leadership and peace look like in your own life? What would it mean to look to Jesus as your liberator?
Section 2 – Luke 1:28-30
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
Section 2 – Bible Study – Luke 1:28-30
Have you ever found yourself on guard after being approached by an overly-friendly person? Cable and internet salespeople are often posted in a local department store in our area, and every time you pass through the electronics section of the store, they will call out to from their booth, “Hi! How are you doing today!? Can I ask you really quick how you’re watching your favorite shows at home?” Although their tone and mannerisms are warm and friendly, the typical responses that they receive from shoppers are guarded, as they keep walking and simply respond, “Sorry, I’m not interested in buying or changing anything. Thank you.”
Now, imagine the concern Mary must have experienced after being approached by an angel who said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!” When the Scriptures record she was “greatly troubled” and “wondered what kind of greeting this might be,” it certainly spoke to the deep concern and confusion she must have felt to suddenly be approached by none other than an angel bearing news.
Mary had to have known that the angel was there to ask more of her than she could have ever imagined before!
However, sensing her apprehension, the angel responded before Mary could say a word, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”
Mary was certainly young at the time, and had no doubt had much different ideas about the direction of her life at the time she was approached by this angel. Of course, we know from the rest of the story that Mary and Joseph would both do everything in their power to raise Jesus properly and keep Him safe.
But in the moment that the angel approached her, Mary had no idea how it would all play out. And while the angel told her that she had found favor with God, the angel also didn’t give her detailed instructions on every decision to make and path to follow.
The angel didn’t bring Mary bags of money and say, “You’re going to bring the Son of God into this world, and here’s all the cash that you’ll need to cover the expenses.” The angel didn’t tell her, “Don’t worry, God is going to talk to your family all about this child you’re going to have and explain the situation. We’ve got you covered!”
Mary didn’t receive any of those reassurances that we always hope for when we think about God’s calling and direction on our lives. We love to have a sure bet, all plans in place, everything sorted out and budgeted for. But that’s rarely how it works.
So it was no wonder Mary was troubled about the angel approaching her with such a warm greeting…because she certainly knew that, with God’s favor or not, nothing was ever going to be the same again for her.
The same is true for us. For each one of us who have decided to follow Jesus, we too have found God’s favor, and He is leading us into new directions. Although the places where God may have in store for us can look like many things, there is never any doubt that God is directing you into deeper relationship and connection with Him, because that is the source of any movement of God in our lives.
But that doesn’t mean that we won’t experience doubt or concern. God’s favor with us doesn’t equate to Him also handing us the blueprints, resources, and every other need to go along with it.
There is a spirit of adventure needed to pursue the ways of God. A willingness to recognize that we may not have everything figured out, but we do trust the simple reality that God has found favor for us and is paving the way ahead of us.
Our world is tough, and in almost every way opposed to the Kingdom God is leading us toward. Fear of God’s direction is a natural inclination of our sin-self, but God wants us to overcome that through His ministry to us. As we draw closer to Him, we learn to trust that He is there with us all along, speaking to our hearts, “Don’t be afraid. You have found favor with God.”
Section 2 Questions
- What do you think was going through Mary’s mind when she was approached by the angel?
- What do you think were some of the biggest concerns Mary had over the task laid before her by God through the angel?
- When you think about the places you feel God is drawing you, what fears, concerns or negative emotions overcome you?
- What would it look like for you personally to find more reassurance from God about the direction He is leading you?
Section 3 – John 1:9-11
The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
Section 3 – Bible Study – John 1:9-11
Reading the New Testament for ourselves in the 21st century, it’s very easy to look back on the original people who were audience to Jesus’ ministry and think to ourselves, “How could they have struggled so much to recognize Jesus for who He really is – the Son of God? Why did so many people, even His own disciples, fail to see the truth?”
As the “true light,” Jesus represented the hope and desire of all who longed to be freed from the chains of oppression and sin in this world. Jesus came in His light to offer an alternative to the world of death and futureless existence that threatens us all. However, the reality of Christ’s coming wasn’t flashed like a giant billboard across the sky.
Jesus came bearing a message of reconciliation to God. It wasn’t the easiest message in the world for many, as it meant recognizing flaws and the necessity for God to overtake the brokenness of our lives.
So when John wrote, “the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him,” he was speaking to the unusual predicament everyone at the time of Jesus’ ministry – and still for many, many of us today – face. The God who created everything came to this world as a human being – and yet…we don’t seem to realize it.
Of course, there are billions of people who don’t accept that Jesus is God, and it is easy to point to them and say, “They are the ones who don’t recognize Jesus!”
But what about us – the followers of Jesus? While we may follow the faith, attend worship, do service in the name of Christ, and undertake all sorts of Christian ventures and activities, we have to admit, if we’re honest about it, that we too often struggle to recognize Jesus.
When our holiday celebrations become consumed with cooking, shopping, travel, parties, and various other celebrations…but our inward focus and outward conversations rarely focus on the truth of Christ among us – aren’t we failing to recognize Jesus?
When our church participation is focused on tasks and meetings, evaluating the quality of worship and sermons, wondering what’s wrong with the new youth director, concern about lobby renovation plans, speculation that the pastor may be taking a new position, questions over if our offering contributions are being used properly, and upset over the cancellation of a long-standing children’s ministry event…aren’t we failing to recognize Jesus?
When the concerns of life, both big and small, arrive on our doorstep, and our primary responses are fear, worry, anxiety, anger, and lashing out…aren’t we failing to recognize Jesus? And when our fears are assuaged, and God leads us through the other side of today’s crisis, but we don’t find ourself in a state of worship and adoration for His leadership over our lives…aren’t we failing to recognize Jesus?
Friends, this isn’t said to condemn or hurt or accuse you! Rather, Jesus is calling each and every one of us to live in the reality that he has come! He preached, He healed, He ministered. He died and rose again and He continues to minister to us through the Holy Spirit’s dwelling in your life.
It’s far, far too easy to walk through a fog in life, convinced that we’re the ones in control, and God, although we may love and believe in Him, is kinda just “up there, looking down on us.” But when Jesus – the Word of God Himself – came to this world, He came to institute a new life for all of us where we live with Him, and God’s Spirit in us.
That’s the stance of recognizing Jesus – that’s what we’re called to. No, it’s not easy – we have to fight our sin inclinations every day that tell us we can only depend on ourselves, but it’s not true. And the greatest piece of evidence that we have that tells us God wants us to rely on Him constantly is the reality that He came to this world Himself as a man nearly 2,000 years ago.
He’s still alive. He’s still walking with us.
Recognize Him.
Section 3 Questions
- What do you think were the biggest issues people faced in recognizing Jesus as God’s Son and the Messiah during His ministry?
- In your own words, why do you think recognizing Jesus is important? What do we gain from more fully recognizing Him?
- What are some areas in your own life where you find yourself failing to recognize Jesus?
- What would it look like to see Jesus more clearly in the instances where your struggle to recognize Him?
Section 4 – Isaiah 9:6 (Revisited)
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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Section 4 – Bible Study – Isaiah 9:6
For the final study of the month, we invite you to take some time to reflect more closely on Isaiah 9:6. This passage refers to Jesus with several titles and descriptors, and each point to a holistic understanding of Jesus and His ministry in our lives.
Creating a complete view of who Jesus is and what He does is an important step in our discipleship. It’s far too easy to relegate our understanding of Jesus to “compartments” and fail to see the fullness of what God is doing in our lives.
To help combat this tendency, we’re going to walk through each section of this verse and break it down into how each title or descriptor applies to our lives.
First, Isaiah calls Jesus a “child” and “son,” which lead us to reality that Jesus came to us a a real, flesh and blood human being. Jesus became one of us, entered into the same sin-drenched world we all reside in, and lived among us. He didn’t merely appear to be a human being, but was somehow removed from the aches, pains, and turmoil of our lives. Jesus was one of us – but without sin. Given to us, God sent Jesus with a purpose to save and redeem, a task only He was suitable for.
In describing Jesus as one who “the government shall be upon his shoulder,” Isaiah highlights that Jesus will be a leader, although not in the way that people typically think. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, “Where is Jesus’ Kingdom?” It’s a powerful question, because Jesus’ realm isn’t confined to any particular nation, or city, or even in the Church alone. Jesus is the King, but His Kingdom is still incoming – it began with His arrival, and the day is coming when it will exist in it’s fullness, plain for all to see. But for now, it is still being unveiled. God’s people always longed for a Kingdom of their own that would be free from the turmoil of strife and pain – and that’s the promise that Jesus bears, but it isn’t in full yet. He’s still carrying the weight of that burden on His shoulders.
Isaiah also calls Jesus “Wonderful” and “Counsellor,” which speaks to the very personal and private ministry that Jesus imparts on all of us through the guidance and love of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus, we don’t have a King who is far removed from His people, or merely a figurehead over the nation. That same King is with us personally, leading us and helping us make decisions. His guidance as our wonderful counselor is at the heart of God’s personal ministry to us. Jesus is unlike any other leader we have ever encountered, because He knows us intimately, sees our flaws, leads us to remove sin and temptation while transforming us more into His image. No other King has ever served His people in such a close way.
Next, Isaiah describes Jesus as “The mighty God,” which points us to the divine nature of Jesus, born as a human being but sent by God, and indeed, God Himself. Our conception of Jesus has to begin with the reality that He is God. Jesus isn’t merely a wise person, or philosopher, or someone who did amazing things and we should model our lives around…although yes, He is all of those things. But all ideas about Jesus have to begin with the understanding that He is God sent to us.
His status as the divine God is primary reason we should follow, trust, and point to Jesus in all things.
In calling Jesus the “everlasting Father,” Isaiah invokes two ideas. First, Jesus’ relationship with His people is not just that of a King, or Counselor…but He is also loving and tender, like a good parent. Secondly, Isaiah also invokes the idea that we, as God’s people, have connection to God the Father through Jesus. It’s Jesus who reconciles us to God, and loves us deeply and personally. We are able to approach the Father in prayer and service through Jesus.
Finally, Isaiah invokes the title “Prince of Peace,” which points to the ultimate results of Christ’s leadership, mission, and Kingdom. Jesus’ work is leading to a day of final rest and peace for God’s people, when all the sorrow and turmoil of this world comes to an end. In the mean time, God leads us into a place of peace through Jesus’ ministry to us. Although the world may rage around us, Jesus invites us to turn to Him to find comfort and peace. God knows how difficult this world truly is, which is why He gave His Son in the first place – to help us find the peace that would be impossible otherwise.
Section 4 Questions
- Which of the title or descriptor for Jesus most resonates with you? Why?
- Which title or descriptor is the most difficult for you, or perhaps you have never thought about?
- What would it look like to have a more holistic view of Jesus in your own life?