A Son is Born, a Son is Given

"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. 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." (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

Having explored the dual nature of the Messiah—both human and divine—Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones directs our attention to the ultimate purpose of the incarnation: the establishment of God's kingdom. The baby in the manger comes as the rightful king of creation.

Lloyd-Jones observes that Isaiah's prophecy begins with the personal ("to us a child is born, to us a son is given") but expands to the cosmic ("the government shall be upon his shoulder"). Christmas celebrates not merely a private religious experience but the inauguration of a new world order under Christ's sovereignty. The manger contains not just a savior but a ruler.

The phrase "the government shall be upon his shoulder" speaks to Christ's absolute authority. In ancient times, keys to cities were ceremonially placed on rulers' shoulders, symbolizing their authority to grant or deny access. Christ carries all governmental authority—not just over a single nation but over the entire cosmos. His kingdom extends to every realm—physical, moral, spiritual, and eternal.

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this kingdom differs fundamentally from human empires. It expands not through military conquest but through spiritual transformation. It establishes peace not through external force but through internal renewal. It achieves justice not through coercion but through righteousness. While human kingdoms inevitably decline, Christ's government increases perpetually.

The connection to "the throne of David" confirms this Messiah's identity as the long-awaited king promised throughout Israel's history. Unlike David's earthly reign, however, Christ's kingdom will never end. He establishes an everlasting dominion characterized by justice and righteousness—precisely what human governments consistently fail to achieve.

The final phrase—"the zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this"—assures us that God's passionate commitment guarantees the fulfillment of this prophecy. Human cooperation remains unnecessary; divine determination ensures its accomplishment.

This Christmas, remember that the infant in Bethlehem came to reign. His birth heralds not merely individual salvation but cosmic restoration. The government rests upon His shoulder—not Caesar's, not Herod's, not any earthly power's. The humble circumstances of His birth belie the magnificent scope of His mission: to establish a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace that will never end.

As you celebrate Christ's first coming, anticipate with equal joy His return to consummate His kingdom—when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.