For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, 

the staff of their oppressor, 

just as you did on the day of Midian.

For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.  

For a child will be born for us, 

a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. 

He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Eternal Father, 

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:4-6 CSB

We love verse 6 because it's all about a baby.

And it's a beautiful picture, a child being born for us.

But this is a baby being born into a world of oppression and war.

A baby who is going to shatter oppression.

Release those who are held down.

This is about a baby who is going to light the fire in which the boots that have trampled others will be burned. 

This is not some nice thing that is going to happen that Isaiah is looking forward to, but an act of, the beginning of, rebellion.

If you know about oppression, being held down, trampled, then this Messiah is coming for you.

Has come for you. 

In him is freedom.

Yes he came as a baby, but he didn't come to be instagrammed from a stable and gain followers who thought he was cute.

He came to serve.

And to give his life as a ransom. 

He came to wage war on sin and to set us free.

#thebattleison

#lovewins