Many promises were given throughout the Bible that a Savior would come. God promised that when He came, the Messiah would turn things around in this world. Isaiah 61 gives an indication of the depth of God’s Promise.
- The Messiah would declare good news to the poor and comfort the brokenhearted.
- He would release captives and free prisoners of darkness.
- He would comfort all who mourn, give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy and gladness instead of mourning.
- They would receive a garment of praise instead of a burdened and heavy spirit.
- 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 and recompense.
- Instead of humiliation and reproach, they would shout for joy over their portion.
- They would receive a double portion for all of their losses in their land and everlasting joy would be theirs.
- The Messiah would faithfully give them compensation for all of their harm and loss and establish God’s Kingdom and rule.
Hundreds of prophecies foretold His arrival. He would be 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 persistent promise, the world began looking for a King to solve their troubles and bring peace. They lived with expectation that He would come. Although they were looking for Him, they were not prepared for His humble arrival. They were expecting a King to be born in royalty and power.
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.” Although the promise of His coming had been a highly anticipated event, there was no room.
He was born in obscurity.
There was not a parade or high celebration at the stable. He was born in a manger because there was NO ROOM in the inn. There was no room in the palaces of kings for His birth. Although He was the Prince of Peace and King of glory, there was no room for Jesus. He was heaven’s Representative, but there was no room. Although the priests, prophets, scholars, and elders looked for the Messiah, when He came there was no room. 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, but the world was not ready.
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.
Jesus Christ is the Savior — Behold He Comes
Take a close look at this man called Jesus.
Although He was God’s representative, He was rejected, despised and died in shame on a cross. Prophets said He would change the world. His person, life and ministry 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, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.
His life and ministry was short by human standards.
- His public ministry began at Passover in 27 A.D. and ended during Passover of 30 A.D..
- He never wrote a book or pinned a song.
- He never owned a business, or ran a corporation.
- His wisdom and knowledge were unsurpassed, but He did not have a list of degrees.
- He was not wealthy, and never owned a house or a pillow for His head.
- He had no money to pay taxes.
- He had to borrow a room to celebrate the Passover and a donkey for transportation.
- He walked the dusty roads of Judea.
- His only banquet was in the house of a sinner.
- He preached on hillsides and taught on streets.
- The only time He had royal robes on His back was during the time they were mocking Him.
- He died on a cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb.
The Gospels 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 and so many other miracles and healings that they could not be recorded.
The Lord Himself gave Isaiah a miraculous sign of His coming.
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.
His conception and birth was a miracle of God. 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.
The announcement of His birth was glorious.
Shepherds were out in the fields at night and heard a multitude of angels 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!”
When wise men saw His star, they came from the East to Jerusalem 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.
Behold He comes…
His miracles declare Him to be the Son of God.
- He turned water into wine, healed the blind, deaf, and lame.
- He told fishermen to cast their nets and draw in a multitude of fish.
- He raised the dead, cured lepers, cleansed the defiled and cast out demons.
- 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.
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.
If you will make room for Him, Jesus Christ will save your soul. He will take your turmoil and give you peace. He will take your hurt and grief and give healing and comfort. He will take away your sorrow and sighing and give you joy and gladness. He will overflow you with God’s love and give you a hope-filled future. He will spread His cover and shield over your life and claim you as His own.
