One of the most radiant prophecies about Jesus was announced by the “gospel prophet,” Isaiah. Among the many glorious attributes of the promised Messiah, Isaiah confidently asserts that “the government will be upon His shoulder.” If any part of this burst of light in Isaiah 9 can be called especially good news, this is it: “The government will be upon His shoulder” (verse 6).

 

On the doorstep of 2011, we cannot forget that we have witnessed the rise and fall of more governments than any generation in history. We have seen prime ministers, presidents, and opposition leaders gunned down or turned from office. We have felt the surge of “people’s revolutions” as masses of disappointed citizens thronged the streets to topple unresponsive regimes. We have seen dictators climb to power on the bleeding backs of their own people, and we’ve watched them plummet just as rapidly when their cup of iniquity was full—when God in heaven heard the cries of all His hurting ones and restored a little justice. We’ve discovered that the human art of governance is all too frequently corrupted by a sinful lust for power, or wealth, or public adulation.

 

In democratic nations, we troop to the polls every few years in hopes of lifting the darkness a little by the power of our ballots. But too often we discover that though we have elected men and women of goodwill, they are powerless to bring the light and hope we crave.

 

Surely, we need this Child of whom Isaiah wrote, this One who takes the government of the entire universe on His shoulders with more ease than one of our children picks up a stalk of grass.

 

The prophet’s assertion reminds us that we need not fear the future when we remember that the earth is still the Lord’s, when we remember that this Child born “to us” is also the King of the universe. Each time I stand in some crowded hall to listen to Handel’s magnificent “Hallelujah Chorus,” one prophecy about Jesus brings tears to my eyes, no matter how many times I hear it. With every atom of my being, I join millions of believers around the globe in praying for that day, coming soon, when “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

 

Even so come—and reign—Lord Jesus.