The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

The spiritual and eternal kingdom of God’s sovereign grace, the salvation, preservation, and prosperity of His people (His chosen subjects), is ALL upon the “shoulder” of the Lord Jesus Christ Who is identified here as a CHILD WHO IS BORN (His perfect, sinless humanity) and a SON WHO IS GIVEN (His infinite and omnipotent deity). The victory and success of the kingdom is not conditioned on the subjects but on “Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US” (Matthew 1:23). Can anything bring us more peace, comfort, and security than this great truth? Can anything assure us more that CHRIST IS ABLE to save us from our sins and bring forth righteousness whereby God can justify sinners like us? Could we imagine that the Lord Jesus Christ would fail to save even one of His dear sheep for whom He laid down His life? The answer for a regenerate person, a believer, is a resounding, “NO!” Christ is my peace, comfort, and security; for His is the Lord my Righteousness! He came to this earth to fulfill all the conditions and requirements of my whole salvation. If any part of it were conditioned on me, my works or my will, the only assurance that could come from this is the assurance of failure; for my sins are great. But it was announced at His birth that Mary would “bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21), AND HE DID BY THE REDEMPTION HE ACCOMPLISHED IN HIS DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION.

—Pastor Bill Parker, Eager Avenue Grace Church Bulletin, December 10, 2023