“What Child Is This?”
Isaiah 9:1-7
David P. Nolte
William Dix posed a thought provoking question when he asked,
“What Child is this, Who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?”
Dix answered this way,
“This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring Him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary.”
As we focus on Christ, we focus on His birth. As we ask and answer, “What Child is this?” let’s turn to the Bible for an answer.
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV) We can see from Isaiah’s writing that:
I. HE WAS THE PROMISED CHILD: VERSE 6:
A. “To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given.”
1. His coming was foretold even as early as the garden of Eden when God said to the serpent “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” Genesis 3:15.
2. The many prophesies concerning the birth of Messiah instilled within Israel a hope and determination so certain that 740 years before it the prophet speaks of it as though it has already happened: “A child is born!”
B. Notice the precision of the promise. He specifies the how, the why, the who and the where of Jesus’ birth:
1. The how:
a. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel.”
b. In Luke 1:30-35 we see the angel Gabriel saying to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.”
2. The why:
a. The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21.
b. The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NASB).
3. The who:
a. “To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given.”
b. It is for us – for all of us – for all people.
4. The where:
a. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
b. Born in Bethlehem, which means “The House of Bread.” How appropriate.
C. What does all this mean? What is the implication of the promise?
1. God was interested enough in the affairs of mankind to take things in hand.
2. God’s promise tells us that He made provision for our good, and handled all the details.
3. God was kind enough to concoct a plan which would satisfy our need and His righteousness though it would cost His Son.
4. What He had predicted hundreds of years before was His pledge and commitment. What God promises comes to pass!
D. Paul wrote, “What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, ‘That You may be justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged.’” Romans 3:3-4 (NASB).
E. In the movie Mary Poppins, the two children, Jane and Michael Banks, jumped into bed after their incredible first day with the amazing Mary Poppins. Jane asked, “Mary Poppins, you won’t ever leave us, will you?” Michael, full of excitement, looked at his new nanny and added, “Will you stay if we promise to be good?” Mary looked at the two and as she tucked them in replied, “Look, that’s a pie-crust promise. Easily made, easily broken!” God makes no pie-crust promises!
II. HE WAS THE PREEMINENT CHILD: VERSES 6-7:
A. By preeminent I mean having the highest ultimate value, worth and importance. “ 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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV). Yes, it’s true, He:
1. Did empty Himself of heaven’s glory to become a servant. For though Jesus was pre-existent and eternal, and though He was glorified in heaven as God, He did not count that heavenly preeminence something to be selfishly grasped!
2. Was born to peasant stock, in obscurity, in the stench of a manger!
3. Was rejected by those to whom He came.
B. Yet, in spite of that, Jesus was the most preeminent and important baby ever born!
1. He was born to be the successor to David’s throne forever and is King of kings!
2. His divine conception was announced by an angel who called Him “the Holy One.”
3. His birth was heralded by a host of angels.
4. He was given a special star in the heavens.
5. He confounded and intimidated king Herod.
6. He was visited and worshiped by magi who brought Him great gifts.
C. Looking beyond His simple lifestyle, beyond His noble humility, Peter saw the preeminence of Jesus: and said in Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
D. An unknown author wrote, “Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. . . . ..Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.” In all things give Him preeminence.
E. A little girl was looking at a Christmas display in a store window and though it was beautiful, she said, “But Mommy, where is there room for Jesus?” She knew what was really important.
III. HE WAS THE PEACE CHILD: VERSES 6-7:
A. “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 Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV).
B. But what is this peace? Does our world know it?
1. Is it a peace in which wars shall cease worldwide?
2. Is it a peace in which terrorists, muggers, rapists, abortionists, and other thugs bring no disruption?
3. I think it’s something else:
a. Jesus said: John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
b. Paul said: Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ,”
c. Philippians 4:6-9 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
d. The angel proclaimed: Luke 2:14 “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Or “among men of goodwill!”
C. This is not societal peace primarily; it is peace that issues from within; peace because we are reconciled to God; peace of heart and mind.
D. Peace is friendship and laughter; it is a loving companion; it is loving our neighbor; it is the gentle contentment which we cannot account for. But far surpassing all these and many more is the sublime happiness of finding God and loving Him.” -Kitty Mugeridge. I will add – peace is being found by God and being loved by. Him
E. In 1555, Nicholas Ridley was burned at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley’s execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need. So can we!
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God promised that Jesus would come once as a baby; He promises that He will come again as king. He came once to bring atonement for sin; He comes again for judgment. As God’s promise did not fail before, it will not fail in the future. He promises eternal life to all who have faith. Do you believe? “Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.” This child, grown, crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended can be the Lord and Savior of your life if you put your trust in Him. Bring Him the gift of yourself, enthrone Him in your life, honor Him as Lord as we sing our invitation: Marvelous Grace.
