Wonder Of Advent #36

Always Increasing

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

Isaiah 9:7

NO WONDER HEROD FELT THREATENED. When magi from the East inquired about the new king, Herod was so disturbed that he called the leading religious leaders for their expertise on the coming Messiah. Perhaps Herod, an Edomite by ancestry but raised as a Jew, expected another Moses to rise up and overthrow his intended dynasty. Or maybe, as paranoid as he could be at times, he feared even the mention of a rival king in the region. Either way, he responded like a power-hungry dictator and sought to eliminate the threat.

What Herod didn’t know—and he was hardly unique in his ignorance—was that the Kingdom of the coming Messiah would be no ordinary kingdom. It would be no threat to faithful and responsible rulers. It had been prophesied by Daniel many years earlier to come when a kingdom of iron ruled the earth (Daniel 2:39-45). It would crush all other kingdoms and endure forever, but it would not look like any other political or military kingdom. It would be deeply spiritual, grow almost imperceptibly, and eventually influence all others. The goal of this Kingdom was to transform the world and rescue its people, not dominate territory. If Herod had truly searched the Scriptures, he might have chosen to become an asset to the true Kingdom. Instead, he was one of its earliest opponents.

Isaiah’s prophecy, given hundreds of years before Jesus was born, could not fit any other figure in history. In spite of Herod and any other adversaries, the child in the manger would inherit the universe. And the promise is reassuring: His government will never end. The verse literally says it will never stop increasing. He will rule fairly and justly forever. All things were made by him, through him, and for him. He is now at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us and giving us access to the throne room. It’s an extraordinary place of privilege.

Remember that whenever you think God’s people are losing ground. We aren’t. His Kingdom continues to increase against all expectations. Remember it also when you get discouraged about your circumstances or your prospects. Know that the Messiah came not merely to teach us a spiritual lesson but to rule every inch of his world—and yours. There is no greater promise of security and abundance, now and forever, than this.

Prayer

Jesus, I bow before you as my King and delight in being a citizen of your Kingdom. Remind me always of my security in you. May your government rule forever—even in my heart. Amen.

REFLECTION

Why did Jesus teach us to pray that God’s Kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven? What does that tell us about his plans for our world?

Further reading: Ephesians 1:19-23

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace,

hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

“HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING,” CHARLES WESLEY