There are many moments when we can feel lost or stuck in the knowledge of our human conditions, however we do have a hope. A Hope that God planned and knew from the Beginning. A Hope that is God incarnated in the flesh; Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, God inspired many prophets to foretell the knowledge that the Kingdom of God was coming, and one of the best examples is the passage we probably see most at Christmastime!
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." - Isaiah 9:6-7
These are the titles Jesus already had before He even came to earth and did what He did. Isn't that incredible? He was, is, and will be all of those things forever. Just as this says, His righteousness will be forevermore, and his government will have no end. I don't know about you, but this is a big deal.
In the New Testament, we get introduced to the Christ, God made in the flesh to dwell among His people, teach, embrace, and suffer for.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14
But why did He come to earth when He is so perfect and lived in beautiful peace and holiness in the Heavens? Why did He come to where he would endure so much pain and be tempted by all the things we are, even though he never sinned? Because He loves us. Because He is the perfect sacrifice to save His people.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. - John 3:16-18
That is a BIG Deal. Just so His chosen people wouldn't perish, He sacrificed His Holy and perfect Son so we can have faith in Him and glorify Him.
What is our response? We either take this information and run to Him with repentance, embracing Him and taking up our cross to follow Him (Matt 16:24), or we are condemned by rejecting this information, as it says in the last bit of verse 18. This is the truth, and this should wake you up. If you do not recognize Him as Lord of your life and repent to Him of your sins, you are condemned. If you know this and live this, amen!
With who Jesus is we do need to be reminded of two things:
Jesus is Active.
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” - Psalm 110:1
Jesus is Alive.
This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. - John 21:14
We have a King who is actively reigning and defeating His enemies. I hope this gives you as much hope and strength as it does me.
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