THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN (DEVOTIONALS)
A Great Light
In the prophetic message given by God to the prophet Isaiah, we find a message that points forward in time. The message God gave to Isaiah concerning the coming Savior and King was given around 700 years before the birth of Christ.
Did you know that the steam engine has only been around for 300 years? If we go back into history 700 years from our time, we will run into Robert Bruce and the cast of Braveheart, as well as the introduction of the Aztecs to Middle America. 700 years is a long time to wait. And yet, the message of Isaiah pointed to the promised Messiah with amazing clarity.
The Lord promised that he would bring his great light into the world of darkness, and, in the coming Christ, that light would come into being through the birth of a baby named Jesus.
In the passage that follows, we can hear one of these clear messages from God that spoke to the person and work of Jesus the Messiah:
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”
A Child is Born
As we think about the gift of hope that is found in the birth of Jesus Christ, let us think about this truth. The one to be called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace” came into this world as a baby, as God-in-flesh appearing.
The idea of the Messiah being born into human flesh while retaining his eternal and divine nature is not some new invention of the Christian. It was God’s plan all along, and he speaks to his intentions to share the gift of God the Son with all of humanity throughout the message of Isaiah.
This amazing truth is again echoed by the Apostle Paul as he encouraged the church to take up the attitude of Christ in our dealings with one another and with this world. We can hear this same idea expressed in the following passage:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal king that was born in a manger. You chose to come into our flesh and into our life so that we might see your glory and praise your heart of grace and love. We are overjoyed by your work, and by your coming. We praise you, the Eternal King, who made himself nothing so that we might receive everything!
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH
“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”
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