The Advent of Hope | Fearing The Storm
Hope does not fear the storm but looks ahead to the promised future.
Hope does not fear the storm but looks ahead to the promised future.
As we eagerly await the return of Christ, we look towards hope. God, coming incarnate in the flesh, provides hope for people that the sin in our lives will not be our end. Jesus is the hope that the evildoers will be dealt with on the cross and one day and sin and death will be defeated.
We like to believe that Jesus and Satan actively battle for the souls and lives of mankind., each trying to beat the other in some divine spiritual competition. We share images of Jesus and Satan standing face to face as if they are preparing for a boxing match with the outcome largely unknown. Nothing could be further from the truth. For Jesus, there is no contest between the defunct fallen angel and the Son of God and ruler of all creation. Maintaining Divine rule over all creation requires nothing beyond the instrinsic personhood that He naturally exerts. Bringing salvation to mankind by becoming incarnate had been the plan from the beginning, not a plan B in response to sin. Rather, the work of Christ paved the only path for our return. While hugely momentous and the turning point of creation, for Jesus Christ, this event displayed the ordinary activities for a God incarnate who does the extraordinary for the unworthy.
Shepherds, in that day, tended to not be the cleanest of people. They carried the reputation of dirty, inappropriate vagabonds who preferred the company of animals instead of mankind. They lived with the animals in the field to keep an eye on the animals. Their job consumed their life and this specific day, for all they knew, was just an ordinary day. Out of the ordinary, heavenly hosts appeared proclaiming the coming of the Savior. These outcasts of society received the proclamation of the presence of the King over all eternity. The Savior had arrived in lowly circumstances and the angelic hosts came to the lowliest of people. For the shepherds, they understood their unholiness and filthy ness, both externally and spiritually, and risked their livelihood to behold the face of the Savior.
Luke describes Simeon as righteous and devout. The Lord told him that he would not die until he saw the Savior who would come. So, the life of Simeon became a waiting game for God to reveal Himself. God gave no indication to Simeon as to when or where Christ would appear nor would there be circumstances that could hasten the coming. Everything would be completed on God’s timing and providence. Thus, for Simeon, expectation and waiting on the Lord became the every day, the mundane, and the normal. Until one day, a single event would fulfill the prophesies and the prophet who would speak them.
Jospeh led a good but uneventful life. During that time, he found himself betrothed to a wonderful woman. They obediently followed God, refusing to give in to their desires by consummating their relationship before the wedding night. Then, Mary gave him the news that would shatter his heart; “I’m pregnant.” Joseph, being a man of integrity, knew the child could not be his. Yet, he understood the implications and consequences of what would happen to Mary if they divorced because of her “infidelity.” From Joseph’s perspective, He had full right to drag her before the temple and have her stone. Yet, while a man of righteous faith, Joseph also sought to be a man of love and great grace, choosing instead to spare her by divorcing her quietly. On this night, on just an ordinary day, Joseph’s life would change forever.
This week the boys of Nobody Special look ahead to the new year to see where we are going and where we want to be. All while trying our best to not say “New Year New Me.” That phrase is completely overused. Also, we look at what we did for the Christmas holiday and what great stories we have. Then we realized we live relatively boring lives. Be sure you ask us questions at thegospeloutpost.com
Isaiah spoke often of the coming Messiah for the deliverance and salvation of God’s people. As the angels spoke to John, they revealed the truth of the words from Isaiah. “‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ‘ Isaiah 7:14, NIV As with many of the names given throughout the biblical text, names carry a significance and meaning as to the nature of a person. Immanuel translates from the Hebrew to “God is with us.” The nature of Jesus’ relationship with mankind is summed up in with this name.
Jesus is the Messiah that the prophet Isaiah spoke of long before His arrival and fulfills the role as the Prince of Peace. Within Jesus is this dual identity of both being a full reigning sovereign and an approachable man. While King’s rule over their land, one of their main tasks is to protect the citizens and maintain peace throughout the land. Jesus, being a reigning sovereign, is no stranger to this task. Peace guided God to take the form of man in order to restore the right relationship between them. When man allowed sin and chaos to enter into perfection, Christ came to restore the peace between the people. The King had come and fought hard for the peace that is without end.
Isaiah strives to ensure the reign of God is not only established by the Might of God but also depicts the length of His reign. There is a temporal and eternal aspect of God in describing Him as both everlasting and Father. With these two words alone, there is no question as to what Isaiah is saying. Jesus reigns has been inaugurated from the beginning of time and will continue into eternity. He is the progenitor of all life and by Him all things have come into being. He is the order and the guide for all creation and He rules His people with the love and care that would spring forth from a father. He is our Everlasting Father.
