A Son, Given for Us

"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." (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

Isaiah's prophecy, written approximately seven centuries before Christ's birth, reveals the dual nature of the Messiah with remarkable precision. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws our attention to the prophet's careful language: "a child is born" but "a son is given." This distinction proves crucial for understanding the incarnation.

The phrase "a child is born" speaks to Christ's full humanity. Like every human being, Jesus entered this world through natural birth. He developed as we do—from infancy to childhood to adulthood. He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and the full range of human emotions. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that we must never minimize the reality of Christ's humanity. He became genuinely one of us.

However, "a son is given" speaks to Christ's divine origin. Unlike ordinary humans who begin their existence at conception, the eternal Son of God existed before all worlds. He was not created but given—sent from the Father into human experience. The incarnation represents not the beginning of the Son's existence but His entrance into a new mode of existence.

Lloyd-Jones notes that Isaiah's prophecy resolves the tension between transcendence and immanence that plagued ancient religions. Some depicted gods as utterly transcendent—too distant to be known. Others portrayed deities as merely immanent—too similar to humans to be worshipped. In Christ, however, full deity and complete humanity unite without confusion or compromise. He stands simultaneously as "Mighty God" and accessible Savior.

The titles ascribed to this child/son reveal His comprehensive sufficiency. As "Wonderful Counselor," He provides wisdom for life's complexities. As "Mighty God," He possesses power to accomplish what He promises. As "Everlasting Father," He cares for His people with tender concern. As "Prince of Peace," He establishes harmony between God and humanity, and ultimately within all creation.

The twice-repeated phrase "to us" emphasizes that Christ's birth has particular significance for believers. While He came to benefit the world, His incarnation holds special meaning for those who receive Him by faith. His wisdom, power, care, and peace become personally accessible to all who trust Him.

This Christmas, marvel at this paradox: the child born in time is the Son who exists from eternity. The infant requiring care is the God who sustains the universe. The one wrapped in swaddling cloths is the one who wears majesty as His garment. A child born, a Son given—our complete salvation.