When Jesus came into the world, he brought some wonderful blessings with Him for His followers: Light – Joy – Freedom – Peace. As you listen to this message, may the Lord stir you to desire to experience them in a greater measure in the coming year.
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Christmas Blessings
Isaiah 9:1-5
But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.
You will multiply the nation, You will increase their joy;
They will rejoice in Your presence as with the joy of harvest,
As people rejoice when they divide the spoils.
For You will break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
For every boot of the marching warrior in the roar of battle,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
We come this morning to an ancient prophecy of Isaiah. Of course, the questions we all have are, “What is this prophecy about? Who does this prophecy concern? When will it be fulfilled?”
There are two clues that will help us answer those questions. The first clue comes in verses 6: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” The verse begins with “For”, indicating that verse six tells us how or why the blessings of verses 1-5 will be brought to us. They will be brought through a child born and a son given. The child born speaks of His humanity. The son given speaks of His deity. He is both the Son of Man and the Son of God. Of course, this is a direct reference to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Whatever the blessings are which are enumerated in verses 1-5, they come only through a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. So, we know that the fulfillment of this prophecy will come about as a result of Jesus Christ coming into the world.
The second clue is found in Matthew 4:12-16, “Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled:
“THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,
BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES—
THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,
AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,
UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.”
Notice, that Matthew says that when Jesus came to dwell in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee and the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, that was to fulfill Isaiah 9. Notice also that Isaiah says “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.” Matthew says “saw a great light.” For Isaiah the fulfillment was future. For Matthew writing Christ’s biography, it was past. In other words, this prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. When Jesus came into the world, He brought some amazing and wonderful blessings to His people. Those alive during His visitation received those blessings, and so do all Christians ever since. Isaiah 9 is a gospel prophecy! It concerns Jesus Christ and the blessings He would bring to His people through His incarnation.
I’m calling this message “Christmas Blessings” because these blessings come to us because a child was born to us and a son was given to us. No doubt this child and son is the same one spoken of two chapters earlier in Isaiah in 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
So, brothers and sisters, even though we are reading an ancient prophecy given 2,700 years ago, listen up! This prophecy concerns you and me. The blessings we read of here are blessings that Christ brought us when He came into the world.
There are four rich and wonderful blessings mentioned in this text: Light – Joy – Freedom – Peace. Let’s look at each in turn.
1. Light: 9:2
The people who walk in darkness… Those who live in a dark land. Imagine living at the North Pole. I read recently that there is no sunlight or even twilight from early October until early March. For 5 straight months, there is no light! Or imagine that you live in a cave, like a bat. You live so far back in this cave, that there is absolutely no light at all. You walk in darkness and live in a dark land. What kind of life would this be? Confusing, dangerous, gloomy, distressing, uncertain, cold. It would be so difficult to find anything. If you couldn’t remember where you left something you could spend hours or days hunting for it in the dark. When it is dark and rainy, I feel a spirit of gloom come over me. I can’t imagine how I would feel if there were no light at all.
All lost men live and walk in darkness. Why? Because they are spiritually blind. It is not that there is no light. It is that they don’t notice the light because they are blind. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” Darkness in the Bible usually stands for ignorance and error. Ephesians 4:17-18, “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart…” This is the condition of all unsaved people. They possess no love of the truth, no true spiritual perception of the things of God. They may attend church, and understand certain doctrines, but they do not pray Psalm 119:34, “Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart.” This is why Jesus said in Luke 10:21-22, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” When Peter told Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
Because lost men are spiritually blind, they must have Christ revealed to them as the ultimate treasure. Without this supernatural revelation, they will die in their sins. That’s exactly what Paul was teaching in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Why does Satan blind unbelievers? So that they might not see the gospel of the glory of Christ. What must God do if He is to save anyone? He must shine in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Did you notice that it is all about perceiving the glory of Christ?! It is not just a knowledge of Christ that lost men lack. Indeed, many lost men, understand who Christ is. It is the knowledge of the glory of Christ that they lack. They do not appraise Christ rightly. Of course, an home appraiser, is someone who determines the value of a home. Lost men don’t appraise or value Christ the way He should be valued. They see more glory in a dollar bill than in the face of Jesus Christ.
Will see a great light… the light will shine on them. What is this light? It is Christ Himself.
John 1:9 says, “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”
John 8:12, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
John 12:46, “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”
There is a story told of William Wilberforce, who was a member of Parliament and a social reformer for the abolition of slavery. He was a good friend of William Pitt the Younger, who was prime minister of Britain towards the end of the 18th century. Wilberforce asked Pitt to come and hear the great Anglican preacher Richard Cecil. Pitt came, but didn’t think much of Cecil’s preaching. Wilberforce, on the other hand, “felt his soul rise to heaven” during the sermon. As they were leaving, Pitt said, ‘I haven’t the faintest idea what that man was talking about.’ Light had shone into Wilberforce’s heart; Pitt’s heart, on the other hand, was darkened. Christ came to give us Light!
Brothers and Sisters, Christmas is the time for us to remember that Jesus Christ has brought Light to a dark world. He is the Light, and He came to deliver us from a life of darkness, confusion, gloom and despair.
2. Joy: 9:3
Notice how often in this verse joy is mentioned. “You shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in your presence as with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” That’s four references to gladness or rejoicing in a single verse!
What is the prophecy getting at? It’s emphasizing that when the Messiah comes, he will bring joy with Him. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”
Of course that was the message of the angels on the first Christmas morning. In Luke 2:10 the angel said 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.” Great joy!
Christmas is a time of great rejoicing! The world which was sitting in darkness has seen a great light! Rejoice!
Notice how Isaiah describes the rejoicing.
As with the gladness of harvest: the harvest was one of the happiest and most joyful times of the year. The Israelites were an agrarian people. By and large they made their living through farming. They had been working for many months, and now they were finally seeing the fruit of their labor. The harvest had brought in abundant crops. Now the people had enough food to make it through to next harvest, and to sell some besides to purchase needed supplies.
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil: another time of great joy is in battle when one army soundly defeats another army, and they divide the spoil that has been left behind – horses, camels, spears, bows, arrows, food, blankets. All of a sudden this army has been enriched. They have a great abundance of everything they need. When Isaiah prophesied of the coming of the Messiah and the joy He would bring, He compared it to the joy of harvest and the joy of dividing the spoil in battle. Those were two of the greatest joys an Israelite could experience.
My friends, when Jesus Christ came into the world, He brought joy with Him! Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”
John 17:3, “these things I speak in the world, so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.”
2 Corinthians 7:4, “I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”
My friends, have you experienced the joy that Jesus alone can give? Have you ever experienced the joy of your sins being forgiven, receiving eternal life, and being reconciled to God? Have you experienced the joy of knowing that your God is sovereign and that He is for you, and working all things together for your good, and will complete the good work He began in you?
3. Freedom: 9:4
In this verse, Isaiah uses three words to describe the burden of being enslaved: yoke, staff, and rod.
Yoke: the yoke is that wooden block that connects two oxen together so that they will work and pull the plow or the cart. Judah here is compared to an ox, and their yoke is the oppressive burden of the Assyrians, who have captured them and forced them to do their will.
Staff: the staff was a wooden rod laid across the back of a man carrying such a heavy burden that it would press down on the flesh and bones of the shoulders creating great pain and making the person miserable.
Rod: picture a baseball bat! This was what a slave driver might use to beat slaves that dared to disobey to subdue them and keep them in line.
In all of these pictures we see a scene of bondage, captivity, and misery. But notice that the Messiah is going to break the yoke and the staff and the rod! He is going to set these slaves free!
As at the battle of Midian: In this battle, Gideon and his 300 men faced off against an army that is described as being like locusts in number, innumerable. Yet Gideon and his 300 men raced down the hill toward the vast camp of the Midianites pitchers and torches and trumpets. God whittled down the army of Israel from 32,000 to 300. Why? To demonstrate that, “Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord!” And this is how someone gets free from the world, the flesh and the devil today. It is by the power of the Lord alone!
Jesus said in John 8:36, “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
Paul taught us in Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
Paul wrote in Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ has set us free from the dominion of sin and Satan! This is one of His Christmas blessings upon us!
4. Peace: 9:5
Isaiah gives us a picture in this verse of a battle scene. There are boots worn by the soldiers, and cloaks stained in blood. So, what happens to these boots and cloaks? The refuse of war is burnt up. The point is that the war is over, and there is now peace.
We have the same kind of picture in Isaiah 2:4, “they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.”
The idea is that when Messiah comes, He will bring peace. Isn’t that what the angels proclaimed on that first Christmas morning? Luke 2:13-14, “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Jesus Christ brings peace! He brings peace between man and God, and He brings peace between man and man.
Peace with God: Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now, if peace with God takes place when we are justified by faith, what must be true before a man is justified by faith? He must be at enmity with God. That’s exactly what Paul tells us in verse 10, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Peace with Man: Ephesians 2:14-15, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups [Jew and Gentile] into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall… so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.” Think of the racial tension between Jews and Gentiles in the first century! These groups wouldn’t socialize together, and wouldn’t eat together. Yet, Christ broke down all dividing barriers and brought them together in one church.
Brothers and Sisters, Jesus Christ can bring about peace between God and sinners, and between man and man. There is so much so much racial unrest in the United States today. Is there an answer to this problem? Absolutely! The answer is Christ! When a black man and a white man both love the same Savior, enmity dissolves and peace reigns. All saved people, no matter what race or background they are from, are in the same spiritual family. Then how ridiculous for me to be at war with my fellow man. That’s like me fighting continually with the brothers in my family. It’s silly and stupid. When I see Christ in a man, I don’t care what nationality or race he is from, or what the color of his skin is, my heart and affection goes out to him.
Jesus Christ alone can reconcile us to God, and Jesus Christ alone can reconcile us to one another.
Conclusion
My friends, consider these Christmas blessings this morning. Jesus Christ has come into the world, and when He came He brought with Him Light, Joy, Freedom, and Peace.
I would like you to pair up in groups of 2 or 3, and share two things with each other. Please share which of those blessings means the most to you. And then, share which of those blessings you would like to experience more in the coming year. Then pray for one another that the blessings they desire would be granted for Christ’s sake. Amen.
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