Love | The Righteous King
December 21, 2025
In a world weary of corrupt leaders and broken systems, Isaiah promised a righteous King—a ruler whose love would make all things right. From the stump of Israel’s failure, God would raise a new branch to bring justice for the poor, peace to creation, and reconciliation for all people. This final message of Unto Us: The Gospel According to Isaiah reminds us that the love of Christmas is not sentimental but strong—the healing reign of a King whose love restores all things.
Passage
The ##Character## of the King (Isaiah 11:1-3)
The ##Reign## of the King (Isaiah 11:4-8)
The ##Response## to the King (Isaiah 11:9-10)
The ##Identity## of the King (Isaiah 11:1 & 10)
Principle
##Jesus## is the Righteous King whose ##love## makes all things right -- fulfilling our ##hope##, securing our ##peace##, and sustaining our ##joy##.
Practice
##Surrender## your life to ##King## ##Jesus##.
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple’s or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
When have you had to make a difficult choice motivated by love—one that may not have looked “wise” from the world’s perspective but was right in God’s eyes?
HEAR
Read Matthew 1:18–25
- What does this passage reveal about Joseph’s character? How might his decision to quietly divorce Mary have been both loving and righteous?
- How does Joseph’s response to the angel demonstrate faith and obedience? How do love and obedience work together in the Christian life?
- What do we learn about the kind of King Jesus would be from the circumstances of His birth?
Read Isaiah 11:1–5
- How does Isaiah’s description of the coming King contrast with the broken rulers of his day—and ours?
- What qualities in verses 2–3 (wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord) do you see reflected in Jesus’ life and ministry?
- What does it mean that love and righteousness go hand in hand in God’s Kingdom?
Read Romans 8:18–21
- How does this passage expand our understanding of Christ’s love as not just personal but cosmic in scope?
- What do you think it means that creation itself longs to be “set free” by the love and righteousness of the King?
- Where in your life or community do you see evidence of God’s renewing work through His love?
HUDDLE
Where is God calling you to let His love reign in your life this week? What specific area—family, work, relationships, or personal habits—needs to move from admiration of Jesus to allegiance to Him?
Daily Reading
Reflection Question: How does God’s love reshape your understanding of sacrifice, relationship, and mission?
- Day 1: Isaiah 11:1-10
- Day 2: Matthew 1:18-25
- Day 3: John 3:16-21
- Day 4: 1 John 4:7-21
- Day 5: Luke 2:1-20
- Day 6: John 1
- Day 7: John 2
Passage to Memorize: Isaiah 11:4-5
Think Deeper
- What do Isaiah’s images of justice and peace reveal about the kind of love God brings through Jesus?
- Where might the love of Christ be calling you to make something right in your relationships, community, or world?
- How does seeing Jesus as both the root and the shoot—Creator and Redeemer—reshape your view of love and power?
Suggested Resources
The Music of Christmas, by Gary and Sheri Webber
Watch for the Light, Various Authors (Plough Publishing)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, edited by Nancy Guthrie
Behold the Lamb, by Andrew Peterson
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.