MARVELOUS / RAISED UP

If you’re anything like me, you can’t read this prophecy from Isaiah without thinking about Christmas. We have the incredible Handel’s Messiah song “For Unto Us a Child Is Born” to thank for that. The song, which directly quotes this passage from Isaiah, has linked this prophecy almost exclusively to the nativity scene of Jesus’ birth. But while this prophecy clearly foretold Jesus’ birth, it is so much more.

Isaiah said that this child would be called things like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. And that he would reign on David’s throne forever. This passage isn’t just talking about Jesus’ birth. It is talking about his life. All of it, before and after his death on the cross. Isaiah also says that he will give people reason to rejoice, because he will shatter their yoke, an image of bondage and slavery.

After Jesus’ death on the cross, the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 6 that we have reason to give thanks, because we have been set free from our slavery to sin. Jesus broke our yoke of slavery. And because of this, we have reason to give him praise. But Isaiah’s prophecy goes even further. He will reign “forever!”

We see this in Revelation, where we see the incredible image of Jesus, the Lion of Judah, descendant of David, being declared worthy of all praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever. Why? Because he has triumphed. He overcame death and the grave, and sin. Through the blood he shed, he has purchased all of our freedom. He is the victor. And the only one worthy of our praise.

Prayer:

Almighty God, only you are worthy. You are Father. You are Son. And you are Holy Spirit. You have broken the chains of sin that kept me in bondage. You are my Wonderful Counselor who gives me direction and corrects my steps when I wander off the path you’ve set before me. You are the Mighty God who gives me strength when I don’t think I can go on. You are the Prince of Peace who calms my soul when the battle rages. And you are the Lion and the Lamb who alone is worthy of praise and honor and glory and power. You are marvelous. And may you forever be raised up. Amen.