This Sunday (May 25) I am speaking on Isaiah 9:1-7.
Please write a sentence or two of what You hear God saying in this passage?
trying to find His way
This Sunday (May 25) I am speaking on Isaiah 9:1-7.Please write a sentence or two of what You hear God saying in this passage?
“And the government will be on his shoulders.” I am thinking about government too. About the election campaign we are presently in. And how I’m not sure I want the government to be on any of their shoulders. What will Ontario look like if we follow Kathleen, Tim or Andrea? Isaiah is asking us to imagine what Ontario (and the world) will look like if we follow the Messiah. This may seem far-fetched, and I might have thought so too at one time. But reading Shane Claiborne’s “Jesus For President” is making me reconsider – what a compelling vision for the world. I remain unconvinced in any of the promises of our candidates or their parties… but I am convinced that if we voted for (and followed) Jesus’ platform, the world would be a better place. I believe the world government is on His shoulders, and I believe that He is asking us to join him in living according to God’s party platform and policies. Jesus is Premier (which means ‘the First One’), He is unfolding His Kingdom in and through us (and sometimes despite us). I vote for Jesus!
People walk – either in Light or Darkness. Even when the people have fallen away from the Way, there is Light. There is hope since Christ is the Light. That light is for all peoples. Wars will cease for the battle is won. Christ Jesus is the Ruler and His Kingdom will be forever and ever. And that day is coming. God will see to that. And that is my hope and my future.
We read a portion of these verses at Christmas, but it is good to read the whole section from Isaiah 9. Here we read more detail than the Christmas story. God will honour Galilee, of the Gentiles. Jesus spent a lot of his ministry in this area. A great light will show, people’s joy will increase, people will rejoice.
Part of this we do not yet understand. We understand about a child being born, as son being given, but the government on his shoulders? We can certainly understand why those who understood scripture were sure that Jesus was going to overthrow the Romans. Was this why they were full of joy?
I really like the names that they call this future child – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It is good just to stop for a minute and try to digest what each of these phrases mean.
And then back to government. It is a government of peace, and there will be no end. Justice and righteousness are mentioned, and this will go on forever. Are we there yet? We do know that Jesus will be in charge. The government will be on His shoulders. Something to look forward to.