Jesus: King at His Birth, to Make us Kings in Him

When people celebrate Christmas, they think of going to church and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Yet why celebrate the birth of Jesus? The prophet Isaiah declares why:

"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, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9: 6)

This child was not born to be heir, but was King and Lord at His birth:

"1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" (Matthew 2: 1-2)

This was a bold statement, because the kings of the East were asking another king about the King of Kings. They did not ask about Him who "would be king" but "He who is born king."

Isaiah described this new king's reign:

"7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9: 7)

His kingdom never ends, and His Kingdom will only expand.

And this King started out in a manger, just like all of us, so that we could be like Him:

"21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1: 21)

John the Baptist later declared:

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1: 29)

What is the result of all our sins taken away in Christ Jesus?

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

What happens when we receive this gift of righteousness, accorded to us through our King?

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

What is the perfection in our lives as we receive and keep receiving this gift?

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Today, we celebrate  the birth of our Lord Jesus, who was King at His birth. He was born to die, to rise again, that in Him we would be taken from death to reign in life with Him.

Merry Christmas!