What He Came to Prove
Christmas is such a powerful and important season, but I think sometimes in the midst of all that goes on, we really do forget why we celebrate.
In our last two gatherings of the year, we are looking at Isaiah chapter 9 and the prophecies about Jesus and what he would be in his mission here on Earth.
Jesus came to usher in a new kingdom. Not an earthly one, but a heavenly one, and I believe in Isaiah chapter 9 verse six, we are given his platform as the leader of this new kingdom. We’re called to submit our lives to Jesus, but as we submit to a leader, we should always consider who they are and what they believe.
Isaiah was a powerful prophet to God’s people, and here he was writing 700 to 750 years before Jesus’s birth. Isaiah is often called the messianic prophet because so much of the book focuses on becoming Messiah, who he will be, and what he will do. Isaiah tells us here about the type of king Jesus will be.
“He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6 B (CSB)
So what was it that Jesus came to Earth to do? What does his life and mission prove to us as people who are submitting to his leadership and his kingdom? Jesus came to prove that God is with us and that God is for us no matter what we might face. Jesus is our wonderful counselor and our mighty God.
As a wonderful counselor, Jesus is proof that God is with us. This is a mind-blowing truth; in fact, that God wants to be our friend. Think of people in your life who you would consider a counselor or advisor; this is someone who is close and trusted. Jesus came to Earth showing us that God wants to be close to us.
Act 17:27 reminds us of this that “God is not far off.” Jesus came to Earth and proved that God was near. God is not distant or cold, but Jesus proves God’s desire to be close to us.
Even as Jesus left this Earth, he promised to send the Holy Spirit. God’s plan is so good. And even as Jesus left in the flesh, he sent the Holy Spirit to live and dwell in us.
“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14 MSG) Jesus came to prove that God is close to us, and while Jesus is big enough to save the entire world, he still knows your name, cares about your struggles, knows the sting of death, and has experienced the struggle of humanity. Jesus came to emphatically prove that God is with us.
Isaiah 9:6 also describes him as a mighty God. Other parts of Scripture that use this word that is translated “ mighty” are translated “ warrior.” This is to say that Jesus is the living proof that God fights for us.
And we sent out chosen on our own way, and we broke God’s command. God showed up, put on flesh, and made away for us to be made, right? It’s God’s grace that saves us and God’s love which purifies us.
What’s so incredible is that God didn’t just fight to get us. He now fights for us. God showed up to fight for our redemption, but now he fights with us in the struggles we face and the difficulties we have.
Christmas is a reminder that God is not only by your side, but that he is on your side. Think about that next time you struggle with something difficult: that God’s not just with us in our struggle, but that he has power over them.
Growing up as a New England Patriots fan, I felt something like this: having Tom Brady as the quarterback of my team. As fans, we always felt that if we could get the ball last, if we could stay in the game, that we always had a chance. There was a subtle confidence that came with having number 12 on your sideline.
How much greater a confidence should come to us who are followers of Jesus to know that no matter what it seems like is happening in life or no matter if we feel like we are winning, we can walk in confidence because the god of all gods, the King of all kings, and the Lord of our Lord is on our side fighting for us.
In 2022, my dad passed away unexpectedly. I’ll never forget his funeral. We sang a song that didn’t really make sense for a funeral. It’s an old hymn called “Victory in Jesus.” If you looked around that day, it would not have looked very victorious. It was a church filled with sad people who didn’t understand why this had happened.
But that day reminds me of the truth that we all can know: when Jesus showed up 2,000 years ago, he proved that even in our darkest and most difficult moments, we can still have victory because Jesus delivered us victory over the grave, victory over hell, and victory over sin.
This Christmas, I want to encourage you that even when things seem bad, Jesus came to prove that God is on your team, fighting with you and fighting for you.
