Today’s Readings
Context
There are many prophecies of the coming of the Messiah in the Old Testament, but the two most direct are the Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7 and the Prince of Peace prophecy of Isaiah 9. Both are quoted extensively in the birth narratives.
It seems that the prophecy in chapter 9 is a direct messianic prophecy. The prophecy of the baby in Isaiah 7 is more complicated. It is an example of a dual fulfillment prophecy - one that has both an immediate fulfillment (Isaiah's new maiden wife would have a child name Maher-shalal-hash-baz - signaling God's coming work in Israel) and a future messianic fulfillment (referring to the virgin birth of Christ). Many OT prophecies do that, having both an immediate and an ultimate fulfillment.
Devotional - Immanuel
There was a nip in the air this evening that hasn't been there in months. In a couple of weeks it will officially be autumn and it won't be long until we will begin to see wreaths, and lights, and...gulp...snow. Christmas is coming! That wonderful, magnificent, misunderstood, abused season of joy and avarice.
II will never tire of the celebration of Christmas, even the sentimental, sappy, silly parts! But we also need to explore the dark side of Christmas, the roots of the season, the reason Jesus came. Jesus did not come to pose for Christmas card pictures. He came to do war against the sin and darkness. His incarnation was the opening salvo in the war of the ages.
We are all familiar with the key word of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 - Immanuel. "God with us."
II will never tire of the celebration of Christmas, even the sentimental, sappy, silly parts! But we also need to explore the dark side of Christmas, the roots of the season, the reason Jesus came. Jesus did not come to pose for Christmas card pictures. He came to do war against the sin and darkness. His incarnation was the opening salvo in the war of the ages.
We are all familiar with the key word of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 - Immanuel. "God with us."
Consider that God did not send us some laws to live by - the old covenant was passing away and it was time for a new covenant. He did not send some religious emissary to guide, inspire, and motivate us to become our best selves. God took on human form and became one of us. He did it to come down here and fight against the sin that we embraced and to be victorious over it.
Jesus was not just a baby in a manger, but the God of Heaven in a body, come to dwell among us, live the life we couldn't live, die for us and defeat the enemy that would destroy us.
He was also, according to Isaiah 9;6 our Wonderful Counselor - an extraordinary companion to guide us through life. He is the mighty God, a phrase that implies a warrior doing battle against his foes and defeating them. He is our Everlasting Father - providing for our needs, protecting us, loving us. Finally, he is the Prince of peace - the source of a peace that passes understanding that comes to those who trust him and give their lives to him.
Throughout this political season you will hear candidates from both major parties hold themselves up as the answer to this nation's problems. They are not. They have no real solutions. But the baby born to the virgin in Bethlehem, he will solve every problem this world has ever had. One day the government will be on his shoulders and all will acknowledge him for who he really is. Jesus is the one who loves, saves, heals, restores. Immanuel. The Prince of peace. He is everything you need!
Father, remind me today that the one you promised through Isaiah, the one you sent to Bethlehem, he is the only real source of hope in this world. May my life count for him.
Are you living for the one who is all in all or are you giving your life to things that don't matter and cannot truly bless?
No comments:
Post a Comment