Reason for the Season

                                                                

Intro: We are now entering what we call the Christmas season and yet so many today do not even know what the reason for the season is. They may know it’s a celebration of the birth of someone called Jesus Christ, but they don’t know who He is or the purpose for which He was born. 

I. The reason for the season began way back at the creation of mankind.  Genesis 3:15 (NKJV) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

 a. We learn from this verse of prophecy that God Himself spoke the reason for the season. The reason Jesus came to be born was to crush the head of Satan’s power and authority. Satan took over authority of the world through deceiving Adam and Eve by causing them to sell out to him by committing the sin of disobedience and rebellion against God. The consequences of their sin brought about the curse of God which was death for all men and eternal separation from Him. At the Cross Jesus crushed Satan’s head. Colossians 2:14-15 (NKJV) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 

II. Isaiah’s prophecy teaches us more about the reason for the season.  Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 a. Jesus by His birth, death, and resurrection will regain and take charge of the entire world government that Satan stole from mankind through his lying deception in the Garden of Eden.

This prophecy about Jesus governing the whole world gives four descriptive names that will reveal His character during His reign on earth.

1. His name will be called Wonderful (“exceptional” or “distinguished”) There is no one like Him, no, nor ever will be. He is perfect, magnificent, and He alone can forgive and save the lost souls of all mankind.  He alone can rule the world in perfect peace and harmony between all peoples.

2. His name will be called Counselor. He is our lawyer before God now and the people in the millennial kingdom will gladly listen to Him as the Authoritative One. In His kingdom many people will be anxious to hear the Messiah teach God’s ways. He teaches us now by the Holy Spirit.

3. His name will be called the Mighty God. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would do what no other person had been able to do. Isaiah understood that the Messiah was to be God to have such power and to forgive sin and to rule the world with an everlasting kingdom of peace.

4. His would be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? First, the Messiah, is the fullness of God’s essence. (Col. 2:9) Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God. Second, the title “Father” is an expression used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to Israel as Abraham was called father. The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler. This name is not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity.

 He is said to be Everlasting, just as God (the Father) is called “the Ancient of Days.” Isaiah had in mind the promise God made to David (Isaiah 9:7) about the “eternalness” of the kingdom which God promised would come through his line. The Messiah, a Descendant of David, will fulfill this promise for which the nation of Israel and the world had been waiting. God’s zeal makes it happen!

5. His name will be called the Prince of Peace, the One who will bring in His millennial Kingdom and maintain a time of peace in which the nation of Israel and all nations will be properly related to the Lord and there will be no more war. Together, these four titles give a beautiful picture of Jesus ‘character and tells us why Jesus was born and came into this world.

Invitation: Christmas means the birth of Christ who brought salvation and victory over Satan and his powers to all who would believe in His death on the Cross as payment for their sins and those who believe that God raised Him from the dead. Do you have the Prince of Peace in your life?

Have you taken advantage of Jesus’ salvation for your soul? If not now is the time! 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV)  For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.