“For unto us a child is born…and the government shall be on his shoulders.” Isaiah 9:6Over $1.5 billion dollars! That is the total amount of money spent in this last election by candidates seeking to become President of the United States. Almost a third of that alone was spent on media marketing campaigns to present just the right image and promote just the right agenda so as to gain the people’s favor and vote. Who says there is not a cost to being king (or in this case, President)?
Contrast that with God’s “marketing campaign” in presenting the King of kings to the people of the world. He would be born out of wedlock, to a poor couple, in a small, insignificant village, in a borrowed stall fit mostly for animals. Isaiah gives an interesting resume for this King: “He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men…as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:2-3) Not exactly the best ad campaign. He would come not as an honored sovereign, but as a humble servant, and the very people He came to rescue and rule would in time reject Him.
Yet, Jesus was not running a popularity contest to get elected. He voluntarily took an office for which no one else was qualified and which nobody understanding the true cost would necessarily seek. Jesus was born to suffer and die in order to save sinners like you and me. He came as a Savior King, but not one who saves by laying out economic, education and military policies, but one who would literally lay down His life for His people. The cost of being King for Jesus was greater than any campaign war-chest, it was death on a cross.
But it was in paying that price, that Jesus established the victory of God’s kingdom over all the world, and in His resurrection from the dead, the government of all things was laid upon His shoulders. Indeed He is the King of kings and His name is called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). That is the paradox of the gospel. Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness to the world, but to those whom God gives eyes to see and hearts to believe, He is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1:23-24)
This Christmas, let us be reminded that no matter how grand or costly the presentation and promises are, our hope and strength are not found in earthly rulers, but in the King of kings, born in a manger, who paid the ultimate cost of death so that we might have eternal life. “To him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14). O let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
