Tag: Messiah

Zechariah ‘Sings’ of Provider God!

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Zechariah was overcome by the power of God when he ‘sang’ forth these prophetic words. Only God knows the future and these words about John and the coming Messiah are amazing.

Luke 1:76-80 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

When I mediated on these words, I was overwhelmed by God’s gracious provision for us. He provided John to announce the coming Messiah. It had been 400 years since the last prophet Malachi had delivered a message to God’s people. They were hungry for word from God and needed to be turned back and tuned towards Him! The Messiah to come would bring salvation, forgiveness of sin, and light to a dark world. He would show God’s tender mercy towards His children by shining light on their pathways and guiding them in the way of peace. What a wonderful provider God is!!

God is our Provider. God provides for every creature He has made. He feeds the birds and gives us our daily bread. God gives us strength and goodness through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit to enable us to live for Him. Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. I love Romans 8:28 and the truth I can claim about His power of goodness in my life. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” He provides a way out of temptation and protects us from evil. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a key verse to claim,“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” David knew the protection of God first hand as he claimed it in Psalm 140:1-2 “Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men 2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.” God provides salvation through our faith in Jesus and He assures us that we cannot be snatched away from Him!! John 10:28“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” God’s provision of His Son was His greatest gift to us. Paul describes this gift in 2 Corinthians 9:15“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

When you look at all these provisions past and future, you can only marvel at the power and love of God!

Linda

Advent Day 4, Bethlehem and Peace

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Today’s scripture comes from Micah, a prophet in Israel during the reigns of King Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The passage begins with a call to arms, probably when Sennacherib was coming to conquer Jerusalem during Hezekiah’s reign. You can read this great story in 2 Chronicles 32. Then the passage moves into prophecy about the coming Messiah. I love that these details were given hundreds of years before the birth of Christ and he fulfilled everyone! Micah 5:1-5

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
    siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
    on the cheek. Prophecy often has different layers right together. This call to arms was in Micah’s present time.


2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.

Verses 2-5 speak of a coming ruler. He would be born in Bethlehem, King David’s birthplace. He would be from of old. The phrase used here is from ancient of days, which was another name referring to God. The people would be subjected to rule by others until Messiah comes to reign. He would be a shepherd to his people, in God’s strength and those who dwell with him would be secure. In his reign there would be peace.

As prophecy often has the near and far placed right together, we can see that Jesus, Messiah came but his total rule with total peace is still in the future. However, Jesus’ rule was not a physical kingdom at the time he was on earth but a spiritual one. Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus came proclaiming his spiritual kingdom and was the shepherd to those who believed. As the good shepherd, he laid down his life for this sheep. John 10:10 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” Jesus came to give peace, not the peace from the turmoil with Rome but inner peace. Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

This short passage tells us a lot about the coming Messiah. Where he was born and where he came from. What his kingdom would be like and who would be included. This holiday season what are you searching for? Jesus has what you need and can give you peace. He is the good shepherd and watches over, protects and defends those who come to him in faith. Come to him and be filled with true peace!

Linda

WOW! Message from God to Zechariah

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The Levites took turns serving in the temple in Jerusalem. Here is what happened to Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, when it was his turn to serve. Luke 1:8-17

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Wow! The angel brought Zechariah heavenly news. Zechariah was afraid as often angelic messengers brought bad news and they were spiritual beings which would frighten anyone. Zechariah was told that he and his aged wife would have child. At their age, this would be a lot to take in and believe as they had tried for many years to have a child. Now at their age, it would be a miracle. This son was to be called John, he would be a joy and a delight- good news to any future parents. He would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. In Old Testament times, the Spirit of God came upon people for a certain period of time and then would leave. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes upon the believer and indwells them forever. So being told that John would have God’s Spirit from birth was an amazing fact. They were also given information about his future mission for the Lord. He would go out in God’s power and call people to repentance. John was to prepare the way for the long awaited Messiah.

I can’t even imagine getting this news. Zechariah was a devout Jew that loved and served God. The joy Zechariah experienced in knowing he would have a part in God’s plan through his son must have been both humbling and exhilarating. Today I focused on the message the angel brought to John as it speaks of God’s Omniscience and compassion for all mankind. God’s plan of redemption was made and carried out through Jesus because He loved us and desired that we be reconciled to Him. Our sin separates us from Him and there is nothing we can do to remedy this situation. Only God could reconnect us. He sent John to proclaim the coming of Messiah and the message that repentance was needed. They had strayed from God and John was to be the wakeup call to stir the Jewish conscience towards faith once more.

Let this Advent season be a wakeup call of your own to turn to Jesus. Seek Him with a repentant heart and let the words of Ezekiel 36:26 resonate in your heart and mind. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ask God for that new heart, renewed faith and openness to do His will in your life. You will be renewed, rejuvenated and experience renovation in your life as never before.

Linda

What a Beginning! The Word is revealed !

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I have been praying about the direction God wants me to go with my blogs this fall. I loved writing through Isaiah during Lent 2023 and then into summer. I’m being led to walk through the book of John as I study it this year in Bible Study Fellowship. Blogging about passages gives me time to spend with them, and reflect in a personal way. I pray this study will be meaningful to you. Follow along as we work through John together.

John 1:1“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” are the beginning words of John’s Gospel. Unlike Matthew who starts with Jesus’ genealogy, Mark with Jesus’s ministry and calling, Luke with the idea of eyewitness accounts and John the Baptist, John begins with ancient history and power. John wants to establish that Jesus is eternal and was preexistent with God at creation. He wants us to know and believe that Jesus is God and has always been in existence with God. When you consider the depth of this verse you can see eternity in Jesus, completeness in Jesus and Omnipotent power in Jesus.

John continues in verse 2-3 “ He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John wants us to know that Jesus was there at creation and is creator God himself. Jesus was no after thought, not created being, no helper to God. HE IS GOD! This is an important distinction when you are considering putting your faith in someone. John is saying we can trust Him to be all in all, all powerful, creator of all things. There is nothing beyond His reach and power as He is the eternal creator.

John finishes these powerful thoughts with verses 4-5 “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We can trust in creator Jesus as He is the source of all life, truth and light. He will shine goodness into us and through us. He will not be overcome with evil. As we live in this world and see and experience the corruption of mankind, we can cling to John’s words-“the darkness has not overcome it.” Darkness and evil have not in a continuing sense ever overcome the light of Jesus, his truth and love, nor will they ever. Jesus promised in John 16:33 these encouraging words. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John’s gospel is a powerhouse right from the first verses as it challenges us to think and consider who Jesus was and is. What part did Jesus have in the world before He was even born? What power does He possess when confronted with the darkness of this world? I pray that the light of John’s words will seep deep into your thoughts and being this week as you look for His light in your life.

Linda

Precious Promises from our Savior

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Isaiah 61 is a chapter filled with encouragement from the coming Messiah. The believers could read it and be filled with hope at his coming. We can read it and know that He is real and the things He promises will come to pass providing a future filled with love, protection, fulfillment and justice. In verses 1-3 we see a picture of what Jesus did for us and continues to do for us through faith in Him.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
    for the Lord has anointed me Jesus preached to the poor in spirit-
    to bring good news to the poor. the good news of salvation.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
    and to proclaim that captives will be released Faith in Jesus brings comfort and freedom
    and prisoners will be freed. from the bondage of sin.
2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn
    that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, Jesus brings comfort to those who
    and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. mourn over their sins.
 To all who mourn in Israel,
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, Sorrow of sin will be turned to gladness in Christ.
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks Through Jesus’ righteousness we will
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory. mature and bring Him glory.

As the chapter continues, Messiah promises hope: verses 3,7 use the word instead of____

 3 instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor. 7 Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

In addition to these promises God says in verse 8, “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.“

What do these verse teach us about God? He loves us and desires to provide for us abundantly. He desires to turn sorrow into gladness. He desires go give us a double portion and provide us with everlasting joy! God loves justice and will be eternally faithful to us who love and trust in Him. What a marvelous God in which we can put our faith and trust! We are so blessed.

Isaiah 61:10 concludes this chapter and is the perfect response to God’s blessed provision for us. I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

May your heart be filled with His glorious promises.

Linda

Song #4, The Suffering Servant begins here…

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We have finally reached the final Song in Isaiah that points to the coming Messiah as the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 52:13-53-12 are some of the most profound prophecy’s in the Bible. They clearly define and direct us to the coming Messiah, Jesus, and what he will have to endure at the hands of men to accomplish our redemption.

See, my servant will prosper;
    he will be highly exalted. Multiple verses in the New Testament speak of the exultation of Jesus and his reign to come. Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of the future exaltation of Jesus. “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,  in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord  to the glory of God the Father.” Ephesians 1:20-23 also speaks of Jesus’ coming exaltation and position due to his sacrifice and resurrection, “that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” An amazing thing about Isaiah Song #4 written thousands of years ago is it begins with telling us of the Messiah who will reign supreme and be exalted by all and it is still in our future!


14 But many were amazed when they saw him.
    His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human,
    and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. This next verse speaks of how the Messiah will be mistreated, as in hurt to the point that he was disfigured in appearance. This already occurred and is recorded Matthew 27:25-31“ So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.” At the crucifixion Jesus was nailed hands and feet to a cross to suffer an excruciating death and later his side was slashed with a spear by one of the guards to make sure he was dead.


15 And he will startle many nations.
    Kings will stand speechless in his presence.
For they will see what they had not been told;
    they will understand what they had not heard about. The Apostle Paul quoted this verse in Romans 15:20-22 where he was explaining to the Roman Christians why he was delayed in coming to them and to whom he had been preaching the good news of Jesus. “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see,    and those who have never heard of him will understand.”22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.” Throughout the ages, Kings and rulers have been amazed and have come to know Jesus as Savior.

As we can see these first 3 verse of Isaiah’s Song #4 include prophecy that was future to the Jews hearing them, fulfilled by Jesus in Jesus’ day and then ones that are still future to us. I pray these verses will increase your faith in God and that you can see His supreme Omniscience from the beginning to end of time. God is eternal and always keeps His Promises!

Linda

Good News from God Brings Hope and Joy

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Before we get into the 4th and final song about Messiah, I cannot skip the beautiful words of Isaiah 52:7-12. Isaiah is excited about the coming return of the Jews to Judah, after their time of captivity, and it foreshadows Christ’s 1st and 2nd coming. The immeasurable joy and hope that the returns bring are mirrored here.

“How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
    the news that the God of Israel reigns! Just as the people await the messengers with battle news in ancient days, similarly they are to wait expectantly for the return from captivity and the coming Messiah.
8 The watchmen shout and sing with joy,
    for before their very eyes
    they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. The arrival will be greeted with great joy and rejoicing. They will see it for themselves!
9 Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song,
    for the Lord has comforted his people.
    He has redeemed Jerusalem. When they return from Babylon, they will find things in ruins but their comfort will come from the Lord. They will see the hope and possibilities in it.


10 The Lord has demonstrated his holy power
    before the eyes of all the nations.
All the ends of the earth will see
    the victory of our God. The miraculous return to Jerusalem by the Jewish captives was only something that could have been provided by God’s hand. He caused Cyrus the ruler of Persia to look favorably on the Jews and provide them what they needed to return and rebuilt. Similarly, Jesus’s coming to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday just as prophesied and his ultimate return at the end of the age are provided by God alone. 11 Get out! Get out and leave your captivity,
    where everything you touch is unclean.
Get out of there and purify yourselves,
    you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord. They were to return for their fresh start with hope in their hearts and carrying the sacred objects that Nebuchadnezzar took when they were taken into captivity. God had preserved them from the time they were taken until Cyrus ordered them returned! 12 You will not leave in a hurry,
    running for your lives.
For the Lord will go ahead of you;
    yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind. When God is directing our pathways, we do not need to run in fear for we have His promise that He is with us 24/7, ahead and He also has our backs!

I pray these images from our promise keeping God remind and encourage you today that He is with us always, He has our backs, He had a plan for the Jews who languished in Babylon and He has a plan for us. He will not forget us because we are His. Reflect on belonging to Him. Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his;  we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.“

Linda

Second Song in Isaiah about Messiah

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The second song about the Messiah to come is included in Chapter 49 verses 1-13. It speaks of Messiah’s character as a servant and his purpose in coming. This chapter of Isaiah is one of my favorites as it has some special verses that speak to me personally. First let’s look at Song #2.

The Lord’s Servant Commissioned

49 Listen to me, all you in distant lands!
    Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth;
    from within the womb he called me by name.
2 He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword.
    He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.
    I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. Here Isaiah uses symbolic language of the sword and arrows. Both the Messiah will use to show and execute judgement.

3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel,
    and you will bring me glory.” The coming Messiah will be the perfect servant bringing glory to God where the nation of Israel had failed.

4 I replied, “But my work seems so useless!
    I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand;
    I will trust God for my reward.” Just as the nation of Israel has failed so will the Messiah seem to fail as he meets opposition during his time here on earth. The reward mentioned here refers to the reward of all believers both Jews and Gentiles who will be vindicated by Messiah’s work on the cross.

5 And now the Lord speaks—
    the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant,
    who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him.
The Lord has honored me,
    and my God has given me strength.
6 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
    I will make you a light to the Gentiles,
    and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Israel was brought back from Babylon at God’s request. The coming Messiah will restore the people to God and will open up salvation to the Gentiles. It is like the message from Jesus in John 8:12 “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” and John 9:5 “But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

7 The Lord, the Redeemer
    and Holy One of Israel,
says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations,
    to the one who is the servant of rulers:
“Kings will stand at attention when you pass by.
    Princes will also bow low
because of the Lord, the faithful one,
    the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” Messiah would be the despised and rejected one by the nations. 1 Peter 2:4 ” As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—” Luke 17:25 “But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” Isaiah 53:3 “He as despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

8 This is what the Lord says: “At just the right time, I will respond to you.
    On the day of salvation I will help you.
I will protect you and give you to the people
    as my covenant with them.
Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel
    and assign it to its own people again.
9 I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’
    and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’
They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures
    and on hills that were previously bare.
10 They will neither hunger nor thirst.
    The searing sun will not reach them anymore.
For the Lord in his mercy will lead them;
    he will lead them beside cool waters.
11 And I will make my mountains into level paths for them.
    The highways will be raised above the valleys.
12 See, my people will return from far away,
    from lands to the north and west,
    and from as far south as Egypt.” Messiah will bring salvation, restoration, help and a renewed covenant. He will be a shepherd to the people, a light, one who brings freedom, and He will satisfy their needs. He will guide them and walking with Him will be like being beside cool waters. He will lead them with mercy and hope.

13 Sing for joy, O heavens!
    Rejoice, O earth!
    Burst into song, O mountains!
For the Lord has comforted his people
    and will have compassion on them in their suffering. With the Messiah there will be rejoicing in heaven, and He will bring great comfort and compassion for the people in their suffering.

The language of the song is very poetic in nature but much could be confirmed about the coming Messiah and then was affirmed by Messiah’s life and mission.

Jesus executed judgement on sin and yet brought healing and forgiveness to sinners. Jesus was rejected and despised and yet would provided the light of life for both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus brought healing, guidance, hope and renewal to all who would listen and follow him. Jesus brought compassion on all who came to him and treated them with mercy. What a beautiful song of praise and hope to all who awaited Him. What a glorious reminder of who Jesus is and what he accomplished for us. Christ is the Holy one, the Only one, who can Save us.

Linda

Servant Song #1 Thanks Be to God for Sending Jesus!

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As we begin Chapter 42 of Isaiah we find one of 4 ‘Servant Songs’ within the book of Isaiah that speaks specifically of the Messiah to come. This first servant song is Isaiah 42:1-9

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
    He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
    He will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout
    or raise his voice in public.
3 He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
4 He will not falter or lose heart
    until justice prevails throughout the earth.
    Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.” Jesus was chosen by God to come and fulfill His plan of redemption for all mankind. He was filled with God’s Holy Spirit and walked justly and humbly during his time on earth spending his time healing, teaching, and reasoning. He ignites the light of life within us as he said in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

5 God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
    He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
    life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
6 “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
    I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
    as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
7     You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
    releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. Creator God had a purpose for having Jesus walk the earth. Jesus demonstrated God’s love and righteousness. He renewed the covenant with Israel and all believers as He is a guide and savior to all nations. Luke 20:22 “After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” He opened the eyes of the blind literally and spiritually. He freed those bound by the chains of sin and set us free. Luke 4:18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,”

8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not give my glory to anyone else,
    nor share my praise with carved idols.
9 Everything I prophesied has come true,
    and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.” God reaffirms that He is Sovereign and will not share His Glory with anyone. All his prophesies and promises are true and will be fulfilled!

This beautiful song from Isaiah confirms for us that Jesus, the Messiah, did indeed fulfill all that the Father had said about Him. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, was humble and unassuming, reestablished the covenant in a new way between God and man through his sacrifice on the cross, brought light and righteousness to all mankind and made a way for us to be free from the bondage of sin. Praise God for our magnificent Savior! Christ is the Holy one, the Only one, who can Save us.

Linda

Talk About A Surprise Appearance!

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I love thinking about the shepherd’s scene. They were peacefully resting with their sheep on a hillside near Bethlehem. All was quiet and calm and into the night an angel appeared to them. Just like the others in our story, they were afraid. The angel knew they were not just afraid but terrified. They were told to put their fears away and rejoice in the news the angel had for them.

Luke 2:8-14 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Why would God choose lowly shepherds as the first to know this glorious and heavenly news? Perhaps because it shows that the Savior, God’s Son, came to all people not just kings and priests. He was the Savior and Messiah of all men- rich and poor. Perhaps it was because Jesus was to be known as the shepherd of God’s own people. Many times Jesus used analogies about believers as being sheep and He called himself the good shepherd in John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” We as sheep know the shepherd’s voice. John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Whatever God’s reasons, they were a privileged group that did not let this heavenly experience leave them unaffected. They marveled at the scene, took in the message and acted upon it as we will see in tomorrow’s passage.

The shepherds were given the Who– Christ, the Savior, Messiah has arrived

When– right now,

What– a special child, the Messiah has been born

Why– because His arrival brings good news and joy to all mankind

The shepherds were told this glorious, heavenly news and could not stay put but left their sheep and went in search of this Christ Child.

What about you? What heavenly news have your received? You probably were not visited by an angelic choir but God called and spoke to you when you came to know Jesus. Was it life changing? If it was and you feel your first love has faded, pray and ask God to renew your first love for Him. In Revelation, the church at Ephesus was chastised for losing their first love. They had persevered in the faith but had lost their fervor. Revelation 2:4 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Let us renew our love for Christ this Christmas and bask in the joy of His coming. Let us rely upon the truth of His Word as we seek to live daily for Him. If you have not received the truth of who Jesus is and His love and forgiveness, don’t waste another minute. Pray and ask God to forgive you and claim His gift of eternal life. John 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Rejoice this Christmas in knowing Him as Savior.

May your encounter this Christmas with the Christ child be glorious and joyful!

Linda