Ten Benefits Jesus Brought Us – Part 2
So what’s the big deal about Christmas? What exactly did Jesus do for this world? This is a two-part series on Jesus’ impact taken from a prophecy on His birth in Isaiah 9:1-6. We explored the first five benefits in our last post here. Our amazing list of His free benefits continues, “Forget NONE of His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
6) Power
Mighty God – Isaiah 9:6
It’s easy to forget the “little things” over which we have zero control, such as our next breath or heart beat. But humility is not merely an attractive quality, it is the appropriate response to reality! If we haven’t yet had a face-to-face encounter with powerlessness yet, we will. One of my face-plants into powerlessness came in 2003 when my Stage IV melanoma oncologist predicted, “You have days to live.” That news punched a gaping hole in my tank of human strength and will power. I truly needed moment by moment surges of His Power to handle my overwhelming pain and despair. I’ve come to realize not only need His power for healing and to navigate crisis, but to cope with daily life. Our Mighty God, Jesus, has come to provide the gift of power to us, and IN us!
7) Significance
Eternal Father – Isaiah 9:6
Thankfully, Jesus fills gaps of missing ingredients in family relationships. As a father of two, this is really good news for me!
- Sibling: “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11).
- Mother: “How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matthew 23:7).
- Father: “If you see Me, you’ve seen the Father” (John 14:9). “I and the Father are one . . . know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father” (John 10:30, 38).
So Jesus gives provision, security and significance for us perfectly. He’s the best Father ever – and forever!
8) Peace
Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom. – Isaiah 9:6, 7
“World peace” may seem to be a naive wish of beauty pageant contestants and college students, but Jesus intends to take His throne and eliminate wars and violence upon the earth! His 1st and 2nd Coming should be seen together. The total salvation He provided at the cross sets up His eternal kingdom at His 2nd Coming. Yet, He’s already begun spreading peace by changing human hearts under His New Covenant (Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 32, Hebrews 8 & 10). He gives HIS peace inside of us, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). Though the world and circumstances bring personal and global bedlam, we can still have His calm in our souls. Invite Him in and trust in Him completely for “the peace which surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
9) Justice
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. – Isaiah 9:7
There are SJWs (Social Justice Warriors) on multiple sides of every issue, so obviously the human race is confused about the definition of justice. No one’s judgment is perfect – except Jesus’. One day, the One with perfect judgment will fix every wrong. No more clicking on the news and shaking our heads for the first 20 minutes. All the news stories will be the feel-good kind!
10) Unilateral, Unconditional Blessings
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:7
The most important of these ten benefits, in my opinion, is the last! His benefits are given unilaterally to those who receive His free gift of salvation, which means HE freely gives them on the front end before we lift a finger to serve or follow Him! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 & 2 Peter 1:3). He also doesn’t find fault with us and remove them from us when we fail, they’re unconditional. In fact, He knows we need them most when we get off track!
So enjoy His Presents and Presence this Christmas!
Do you know “The Two Ways to Get to Heaven”?
