And so we come to the birth the last month has been building toward.
Circumstance decreed that it occurred in Bethlehem, the city of David in
fulfillment of prophesy. Just as David was anointed while out tending
his Father's sheep the announcement is made by angels bursting with joy
at the event to poor shepherds out tending their flocks by night.
Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
This child is born in the meanest of circumstances.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The birth as described in Luke is in stark contrast to the magisterial language of Isaiah. Nevertheless the undelying message is loud and clear, this is the Messiah:
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Now as then we must not be deceived into thinking that the realm of God is an earthly Kingdom for paradoxically the omnipotent God makes himself manifest as a helpless infant and symbolically his domain is immediately shown to be the poor and under-privileged not the rich and powerful.
Isaiah speaks of freedom from bondage to the Assyrian enslavement of Israel's leaders at his time of writing and an end to warfare and the joy that will bring. What Jesus birth betokened was freedom from bondage to the law and the guilt of sin through its forgiveness. Eternal life in the Kingdom of God to all believers making death irrelevant.
Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
This child is born in the meanest of circumstances.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
The birth as described in Luke is in stark contrast to the magisterial language of Isaiah. Nevertheless the undelying message is loud and clear, this is the Messiah:
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Now as then we must not be deceived into thinking that the realm of God is an earthly Kingdom for paradoxically the omnipotent God makes himself manifest as a helpless infant and symbolically his domain is immediately shown to be the poor and under-privileged not the rich and powerful.
Isaiah speaks of freedom from bondage to the Assyrian enslavement of Israel's leaders at his time of writing and an end to warfare and the joy that will bring. What Jesus birth betokened was freedom from bondage to the law and the guilt of sin through its forgiveness. Eternal life in the Kingdom of God to all believers making death irrelevant.
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