For thousands of years the promise stood that God would send a Redeemer and Savior. He promised that when He came, He would turn things around in this world.
Isaiah 61 gives an indication of God’s Promise.
- He would declare good news to the poor.
- He would heal the brokenhearted.
- He would break the chains of bondage and set captives free.
- He would open the prison of those who are bound.
- He would bring the day of vengeance of our God.
- He would comfort all who mourn and give them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning.
- They would receive the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
- Ruined cities and old ruins would be rebuilt.
- The desolations and barrenness of many generations would be repaired and replaced with joy and life.
- Instead of shame, believers would receive double honor.
- Instead of humiliation, they would shout for joy over their portion.
- They would receive a double portion in their land and everlasting joy would be theirs.
- He would faithfully give them compensation for all of their harm and loss.
- He would establish God’s Kingdom and rule.
- He would make them the offspring whom the Lord blesses.
Literally hundreds of prophecies foretold His arrival. They described His coming in many ways. God described the Redeemer’s coming to the prophets in various ways and by many names. He was declared as Emmanuel, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV 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 increase 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.
This word “zeal” demonstrates God persistent passion to accomplish His promise. As a result of God’s emotional promise, the world began looking for the arrival of a King Who would solve their troubles and usher in peace. They lived with expectation that He would come. Although they were looking for Him, they were not prepared for His humble arrival.
I have often been impressed with the words from Luke.
Luke 2:7 NKJV And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Look at those words, “there was no room.” It is amazing that the promise of His coming had been a highly anticipated event, but there was no room. Neither hundreds or thousands of people came to behold the child in the manger.
He was born in obscurity.
There was not a parade or high celebration of individuals to wander by that lowly stable. He was born in a manger because there was NO ROOM in the inn. Not only was there no room in the inn, the palaces of kings offered no place for His birth. Although He was the Prince of Peace and King of glory, there was no room for Jesus. Although He was heaven’s Representative, there was no room in the Senate. For ages, the Sanhedrin, scholars, prophets, and elders looked for the coming of the Messiah, yet there was no room in their chambers for His birth. When the Scriptures say: “there was no room for them in the inn,” it means that there was no room for Christ. There was no place for the Prince of peace. God said it was the right time for His birth, yet the world was not ready. Do you find it strange that the world is still trying to exclude Christ from their lives?
He was born in humiliation.
Isaiah 53:2-3 AMP For [the Servant of God] grew up before Him like a tender plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He has no form or comeliness [royal, kingly pomp], that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.
He would come as God’s representative but would be rejected and despised. He would die in shame on a cross. He came down to our level.
Take a close look at this man called Jesus.Although He was born in obscurity, the prophets said He would change the world. His person, life and ministry offers the only hope for mankind. He is the hope of all ages. He is the Healer of broken hearts and He sets captives free. He will rule on the throne of David eternally. He is Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace. He was born in a stable because there was no room for Him.
Not only was His beginning humble, His life and ministry was short-lived. According to worldly standards, His life was not impressive.
- His public ministry began at the 27 A.D. Passover and ended during Passover of 30 A.D..
- He never wrote a book, although thousands of books have been written about Him.
- He never pinned a song.
- There is no indication that He owned a business, or ran a corporation.
- Although His wisdom and knowledge were unsurpassed, He did not have a list of degrees.
- He was not wealthy.
- He never owned a house or had a pillow for His head.
- He had no money to pay taxes.
- He had to borrow a room to celebrate the Passover.
- He was born in a stable.
- He did not own a means of transportation, He had to borrow a mule to ride.
- He walked the dusty roads of Judea.
- He was never a guest at a royal banquet.
- He never pastored a church or synagogue.
- He preached on the hillside and taught in the streets.
- He visited the temple and did not own a Bible to read.
- The only time He had royal robes on His back was when they were mocking Him.
- He died on a cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb.
The Gospel shows the record of His life.
- He taught 54 discourses.
- He gave 52 fragmentary sayings.
- He quoted 73 Old Testament Scriptures.
- He gave 34 parables.
- He performed 34 recorded miracles.
- He did so many miracles and healings that they could not be recorded.
Isaiah was given a miraculous sign of the Promised One.
Isaiah 7:14 NKJV Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
The Promise was a miracle of conception and birth. The angel told Mary how it would happen.
Luke 1:35 NKJV The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Nothing like this had ever happened. His conception and birth was a miracle of God.
The announcement of His birth was glorious.
On the day of His birth, only a select few individuals caught a glimpse of His glory and majesty. Luke 2 tells us His birth was accompanied by a host of heavenly angels. Shepherds who were watching their flocks at night heard and saw them announce His arrival.
Luke 2:13-14 NKJV And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem. They said we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
Matthew 2:9-10 NKJV …The star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
As a man, Jesus did things that no other man has done.
John 21:25 says: “there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”
His miracles declare Him to be the Son of God.
- His first miracle was turning water into wine.
- He healed the blind, deaf, and lame.
- He told fishermen where to cast their nets to draw in a multitude of fish.
- He raised the dead, cured lepers, cleansed the defiled and cast out demons.
- He healed a fever and raised the dead.
- Two times He fed thousands with a few fish and loaves.
- He calmed a storm-driven sea by the word of His mouth and He walked on water.
- He cursed a fig tree by the road, and it immediately withered away, (Matthew 21:19).
- He restored a man’s ear that Peter had cut off.
- He did so many miracles that they could not be recorded.
- He forgave sins and refused to condemn the guilty.
- Although He did so many wonderful things, He was hated, mocked, and scorned.
- They tried to stone Him and throw Him out of town.
- They beat, slapped, and hit Him in the face.
- He was beaten with a lead-tipped whip.
- They lied about His actions and falsely accused Him.
- They repudiated His ministry, actions, and power.
- They attributed His work to the power of Satan.
- They refused to believe that He was Who He said He was.
- They called Him the Prince of devils.
- They took Him out to the hill called Golgotha and crucified Him on a cross.
- He was buried in a borrowed tomb where He lay for three days.
- On the third day, God raised Him up from the dead.
Behold God’s Promise.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NKJV For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
His name is Jesus.
Acts 1:9 NKJV Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Angels said He would return in the same way He left.
Many people still have no room for Jesus Christ.
Have you prepared a place for Jesus in your life? He is not looking for a palace fine. He is only looking for room in your heart and life. Is your heart ready for Him?
Revelation 3:20 NKJV Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
If you will invite Him, He will come and dwell in your heart and life. He will not come in until you open the door and make room. When you do, He will fill the emptiness inside.
Will you let Him in? He will do many wonderful things for you. He is God’s Promise to you. He will take your turmoil and give you peace. He will take your hurt and grief and give healing and comfort. He will take your sorrow and sighing and give you a joy and gladness. He will overflow you with God’s love. He will give you a hope-filled future. He wants a place in your life.
When He comes in, He will put His Name on you.He will spread His cover and shield over your life. He will fill you with His Spirit. He will claim you as His own. He will guide you into new life. He will prepare you for the joys that are yet to be revealed.
Jesus will fulfill God’s promise.
