December 22, 2020
What Child is This? – Isaiah 9:6-7
Dr. Larry S. Lightner
For unto 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
In 1865, as the Advent season approached, an insurance salesman, William Dix, wrote a poem called The Manger Throne. He imagined that those who passed the manger all those years earlier were surely confused about the identity of the child laying before them.
Why was the child in the feedbox? Why were shepherds worshiping him. Why were angels singing over him?
The poem was set to music from an English melody. It eventually became a well-loved Christmas song; What Child is This?
Most living today continue to hear people question and debate the answer to who the child was. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, born of a virgin, but not God. Many Jews see Jesus as a great teacher/political activist, but not the Messiah. Buddhists see Jesus as a perfectly enlightened being, full of compassion helping others. Billions do not know what to think about Jesus. So, questions still remain.
Isaiah, 700 years before the birth, before the star shone, shepherds knelt, or the angels sang, this prophet told his audience exactly who this child was.
Jesus, known also as Lord, Savior, Christ, King of kings, Lord of lords, Lion of Judah, Rose of Sharon, and many other names. He also had special names given to Him. To the hurting, Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor (28:29); in John 14:6 His name is Truth; to the helpless He is the Mighty God (He is present everywhere). Other names include Everlasting Father (never forsakes), and Prince of Peace. All names included in Isaiah’s writings.
There is a day coming that never again will someone have to ask What child is this? For the child that lay in a manger will be seated on the highest throne. The child worshipped by shepherds will be worshipped by kings/rulers. And His reign will never end. He is the Prince of Peace, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Life Application
Words mean things; names give rise to understanding who a person is. Christ seeks to draw all to Himself to be saved. Names identify our great Treasure. When one is your treasure you cannot help but broadcast that name to others who need Him.
Prayer
- Pray that your identity reflects the one true God of the cosmos.
- Pray that as you live out your life you will be able to introduce others to the name of Jesus.
