“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
New Testament fulfilment Matthew 2 v4-6
amazing that God doesn’t always use the people or things that we deem to be the best. But His choices sometimes surprise us. But for each of us God has a plan and a purpose and Bethlehem was the place God chose to reveal his son.
The Servant of the LORD
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
New Testament fulfilment Matthew 12 v15-21.
the coming of Jesus the Messiah wasn’t going to be the riotous revolution that we would understand today. There’d be no riot in the street to usher in the Kingdom of God that some of the Jews in that day under Roman occupation, were hoping the Messiah would do just that. Isaiah tell us God delights in his servant and has placed His own Spirit within Him. The tender words say a bruised reed He will not break and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out! This coming King was different!
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every¬ language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
New Testament fulfilment Luke 1 v31-33
what a fabulous picture Daniel sees of Jesus! These words cheer the soul! His Kingdom will last forever! He has been given authority and sovereign power! Never doubt the power of our Saviour. You and I are part of a Kingdom that will last forever! Hallelujah!
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel
New Testament fulfilment Luke 1 v34-35
the Old Testament prophets had little glimpses of the coming messiah. One of the names given to Jesus here is Immanuel, which means God with us! Simply put God Almighty himself chooses to dwell with us!
9 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 honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
Jesus is the light of the world! We no longer walk in darkness but in His light! The light has come!
