A solo episode, and a Christmas devotional thought. In a sentence: Jesus is the Prince of Peace who brought salvation to the world.
Taking a look at an old testament prophecy, Keith shares thoughts based on Isaiah 9:1-7. Scripture references are from the CSB (Christian Standard Bible).
* Bringing light and joy to the world
1 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.
The prophecy about Galillee seems strait forward, but other contrasts regarding dark and light, as well as peace and turmoil are made. A kind of joy is brought out of hopelessness that is compared to harvest time. What’s that all about? Has the birth of Jesus changed anything, or met this prophecy?
* bringing freedom and peace to the world
4 For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian.
5 For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.
In short, brutal and bloody times will come to an end. If Messiah was to bring peace from this kind of turmoil, what happened to it?
Just because a gift is given, doesn’t mean it’s accepted with gratitude. It may be accepted grudgingly, or worse, rejected. How you choose to accept that gift is up to you.
* bringing justice and righteousness to the world
6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this.
A child would come, one with titles to place him as both son of man , and son of God. Ultimate authority will be his to rule and reign with perfect justice and righteousness. For the nation of Israel, this looked forward to the coming of Christ. For Christians today, it points both to the birth of Jesus, and to a time in the future, when he makes a second appearance to take claim over his established kingdom.
What does that mean for us then? Christians need to be agents to spread the message of peace to the world.
Stay tuned for more Christmas messages to come.
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