The world waited. It looked for hope. From the beginning, when Adam and Eve turned away from God to act independently of Him because of Satan’s prompting, God let them know all hope was not lost. He told Satan, in their hearing, that One would come who would crush his head and put an end to his deceit (Genesis 3:15).
That cryptic message became clearer through the centuries. God told Abraham his descendants would become a great nation and all the nations of the world would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3). Then God sent prophets to add understanding of the One to come. God promised David He would establish His kingdom forever through David’s line (2 Samuel 7). Isaiah said government would rest on the shoulders of the Promised One, and He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Many of the Old Testament prophecies pointed to a powerful king who would come in judgment and set everything right. Many of the prophecies also pointed to a suffering servant. Perhaps, because human nature often hears and understands what it wants to hear, believers looked for a Savior to come in a dramatic, earth-shaking way. Even after four hundred years of silence from God and His prophets, the world continued to look for a Savior to crush the Roman oppression. Though Isaiah prophesied a child born of a virgin, and Micah prophesied a ruler who would come from Bethlehem, they looked for a king; they did not expect a baby.
But that is how He came. The best gift ever, came wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. God came to the world He created, to save us from ourselves. He came as a helpless baby to experience all the frailties of being human and to show us that by His Spirit and by His power we can rise above all our weaknesses.
Yet many felt threatened by Him. They didn’t recognize Him. He upset their expectations. They cruelly persecuted Him, beat Him and crucified Him. His treatment illustrates the depravity of a human nature that rejects God. In human flesh, He willingly submitted to all of it to take on Himself the penalty for all the sins ever committed against His Righteous, Holy standard. He even prayed for the forgiveness of those who carried out the evil acts against Him. He came to die, so we could live.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
He will come again. He will clear up all the confusion created by Old Testament prophecies that seem contradictory. He did come as a suffering servant. He will come as a conquering King. He will at last put an end to all the deceit and evil that plagues the world. He will judge those who refuse to recognize His authority. But in the meantime, He continues to reach out in grace and compassion to all who will turn to Him now.
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3 ESV
The most perfect gift of all, a relationship with our Heavenly Father, is available to all who will receive Him with an open heart. In a world that still looks for hope, He is our Living Hope.
(1 Peter 1:3)
Jesus said . . . “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Phyllis
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Copyright 2022 Phyllis L. Farringer
Phyllis, I love the simplicity and truth in this message. Thank you!
Thank you, Nora