The Arrival

Isaiah 9:6 - "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - NLT

In the Scriptures there are more than a hundred prophecies that predicted the coming of the Messiah. From Jeremiah, to Isaiah, to Micah, and even in Numbers, all of these texts were critical in predicting the arrival of our Savior. Some of these writings happened hundreds of years before Jesus arrived in Bethlehem.

What is incredible during this time of year is that we remember the birth of the Messiah and it may seem like old news. We know this story, we have heard it every year since we were born. Yet we have this hope and this good news because of what God has done, and that never changes.

My prayer for us this month is that we not only look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus, but that we understand this arrival of our Savior was not a one time thing. Jesus came, and he also lived, died, and rose from the grave. When He did all these things, He left us with a promise. A promise that He would return. In Matthew 24:36 we see this response, “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”

For as much as the prophets heard from God, and gave fair warning to the world that the arrival of the Messiah was imminent, we now live in a world in which His final return is imminent as well.

I pray that during the next five weeks we seek the Savior. The Savior of the world, who was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. Who lived a blameless life, and died for our sins. He rose from the grave, defeating sin and death, and His next arrival is on the way! 

- Pastor Mike