Isaiah was the prince of prophets and his book is a poetic masterpiece of the Bible. He has been called the evangelical prophet. He was able to reach up and touch the time-line and convey to us not only the character but also the mission of Christ 700 years before it occurred.
Christ is the central figure in this prophetic book. He not only foretold of His miraculous birth in chapter 9 but also the passion of the conquering Christ is vividly displayed in chapter 53. The Bible unfolds the great plan of salvation throughout its 66 books (39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament). There are as many chapters in Isaiah as there are books in the Bible. The tone of the first 39 chapters has an Old Testament ring to them and the last 27 chapters resound the unfolding of the New Testament. If one was to divide the last 27 chapters into 3 even sections, each containing 9 chapters, he would discover that the center 9 chapters deal with the life and death of our Savior. Chapter 53 gives us a vivid view of the Cross of Calvary. Acts 5:30 the Apostle said, “the God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.” That was the TRUE Christmas tree.
Isaiah speaks of Christ equally as our Savior and our Sovereign. He is not only the Lamb of God but also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. More than 700 years before Christ was born, Isaiah gives us a clear description of our Lord. His birth, His mission, the titles He would carry, and the relationship to God and man that He would bear.
He was the Wonderful Counselor. In His birth, life, death, resurrection, and continual intercession for fallen man, He was full of Wonder. In Jesus we do not have a man aspiring to God-hood but God assuming man-hood. As Counselor He is the answer to every question and solution to every problem. He is honey to the taste, harmony to the ear, health to the soul, and hope to the heart.
He is the Mighty God. He has, through His death and resurrection, provided for man’s complete and eternal restoration. He was mighty in creation and almighty in redemption. He is God’s only begotten son and man’s only Savior. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Praise the Lord for such a Mighty God.
He is the Everlasting Father. As it was with the early disciples, many seem to miss this truth. In the closing hours of His earthly ministry, “Philip saith to Him, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus said unto him, have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father?” He was the supreme revelation of the Father to man.
He is the Prince of Peace. In these war-torn days one is prone to ask, where is this peace? When He was leaving His disciples He said, “My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” When one receives Him into their heart and life he receives a peace that passes all understanding.
All the wars, hate, anger, and violence that is prevalent in our world does not prove that He has failed. It only serves to prove that because of man’s rejection of the Prince of Peace it has left him it a state of perpetual unrest and turmoil. He stands ready to receive all who will come unto Him. “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Too many experience a Christ-less Christmas because they will not welcome Him into their hearts. If anyone will open their heart to Him they will immediately experience the true meaning of Christmas.
“Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.”
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