What does 'the government shall be upon his shoulder' mean?

The phrase 'the government shall be upon his shoulder' from Isaiah 9:6 expresses the authority and responsibility of Jesus Christ as the ruler and savior of His people. It indicates that He bears the weight of governance, particularly the governance of grace and redemption. Christ carries the conditions of salvation, not burdens on us; He fulfilled the law and the penal consequences for sin in His atoning work. As the rightful King, He establishes peace and justice in His kingdom, which reflects the grace that governs believers' lives now and into eternity. His reign ensures that His people are governed by His righteousness and not by their own flawed attempts.