Unto Us a Son is Born
Isaiah 9:6
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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Everything had changed and yet nothing had changed. That’s how the birth of Jesus, the most incredible event in all of history happened, almost unnoticeably. Indeed, only a very few were even aware of it – first Mary and Joseph, then a few shepherds, then later the aged Simeon and Anna in the Temple and finally the wise men. (See Luke 2:1-40 and Matthew 2). These were among the few who knew there was anything remarkable about this baby.
The Son of God took on human flesh in Bethlehem, a little town in Roman-occupied Judea in the humblest of circumstances and they placed him in a feeding trough because there was no room for them in the guest room. Seven hundred years earlier, the prophet Isaiah had talked about the birth of God Himself – a child would be born, a son, and all rule and dominion would be on His shoulders, and He would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. But I doubt Isaiah had any inkling of how humble the birth of the Messiah would be – a manger isn’t the usual resting place for a new-born King. And that is how God decided this world-transforming birth should take place.
Everything significant in our lives begins in seed form, in a way that could very easily be missed if we don’t see and hear with our spiritual eyes and ears. Zechariah said, “Who dares despise the day of small things…?” (Zechariah 4:10). The Saviour of the world came to this earth as a small thing, and some despised Him even at that tender age – Herod sent his soldiers to kill all the boys in Bethlehem two years old and younger just because he wanted to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:16). That’s why Jesus said, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 13:9) because some “though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” (Matthew 13:13). But to His disciples He said: “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” (Matthew 13:16).
Why did God send His Son in this way? Isaiah said “…He will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that make them fall…He will be a trap and a snare” (Isaiah 8:14). Isaiah also said “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic” (Isaiah 28:16). Aged Simeon understood this when he said to Mary “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2:34). What we think about Jesus reveals our hearts. He’s either a stumbling stone or the cornerstone upon which we build our lives.
If God’s great plan to save the world started as a seed in Mary’s womb, why do you think His plans for your life would be any different? Even Jesus had to grow in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52). He waited 30 years to begin His ministry. Impatience is not a fruit of the spirit, it’s a weed planted by the enemy. It shouts, “I want it now!” Satan plays to our desire for instant gratification. Patience, however, is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and God is all about process and relationship. In this season, I believe God wants to prepare our hearts for abundant fruit. He wants to reveal to us – like He did to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, Simeon and Anna - the life changing plans He’s setting in motion. It’s a case of “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:16)
Whatever you’re going through today if you’re in distress, God has sent a great light of dawn – God has begun something new in your life but don’t let the state of your heart cause you to miss it. Isaiah, speaking to all Israel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said that God had “shattered the yoke that burdened them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor” (Isaiah 9:4) How? By the birth of a Saviour - and of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. Today God, through Jesus, has already shattered the yoke that burdens you. Don’t live in the land of deep darkness because the light has already dawned. You might feel like today is an ordinary day - it seemed like an ordinary day the day Jesus was born and yet it was the beginning of the Messianic age. God wants to birth something extraordinary in your life today. Believe it, receive it and you will see it!
Lord give me a heart that is receptive to Your word, eyes to see what You are doing and ears to hear Your voice. Give me patience, wisdom and revelation in this season so that I can be abundantly fruitful. Amen