“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.” – Micah 5:2
Prophecies of His Birth
As we explore the coming of the Messiah, we find ourselves reflecting on the countless prophecies that foretell His birth. From the very beginning, God made it clear that a Savior would be born to us. We see these promises throughout the Old Testament, hinting at the significance of a humble birth in a small town called Bethlehem. Each prophecy builds excitement and anticipation, showing us how the coming of the Messiah would fulfill God’s plan for redemption and restore our relationship with Him.
Isaiah 7:14
“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
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Jeremiah 23:5
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” – Jeremiah 23:5
Isaiah 11:1
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” – Isaiah 11:1
Micah 5:2
“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.” – Micah 5:2
Promises of His Coming
In the scriptural narrative, we are gifted with numerous promises concerning the arrival of our Messiah. These divine assurances give us hope and remind us that God remains faithful to His word. As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that the coming of the Messiah was not merely a fleeting thought but a deliberate plan set in motion by God. These promises encourage us to trust in His timing and remain hopeful even in times of uncertainty. When we reflect on the promises of His coming, we find joy and assurance that God is always at work in our lives.
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Lamentations 3:25
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” – Lamentations 3:25
Isaiah 40:3
“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'” – Isaiah 40:3
Ezekiel 34:23
“I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.” – Ezekiel 34:23
Acts 3:20-21
“And that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything.” – Acts 3:20-21
His Testimony and Work
The coming of the Messiah brought forth not merely a figure to fulfill prophecy but also a testament to God’s immense love for us. His actions on Earth showcased compassion, kindness, and the power of grace. The Scriptures that recount His work reveal to us what it means to demonstrate God’s love to the world. The Messiah embodied justice, mercy, and the call to seek the lost. As we delve into these passages, we recognize that His testimony serves as a guide for our own lives in our pursuit of love, faith, and service to others.
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18
Matthew 11:4-5
“Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.'” – Matthew 11:4-5
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” – John 14:6
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
His Sacrificial Death
The significance of the Messiah’s coming is beautifully highlighted through the sacrifice He made for us. His death on the cross was the ultimate gift, showing us the depth of God’s love. The scriptures remind us that this sacrifice was not in vain, as it paved the way for our redemption and reconciliation with the Father. It is vital for us to reflect on the immense love displayed in this act and the freedom it brings to all who believe. Embracing the truth of His sacrificial death shapes our understanding of grace and compels us to live a life rooted in love.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
Hebrews 9:26
“Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” – Hebrews 9:26
His Resurrection and Victory
The story of the Messiah does not end with His death. His resurrection brought victory over sin and death and is a pivotal moment in the Christian faith. Scriptures portray this monumental event that forever altered the course of history and exemplified God’s power. As we reflect on the resurrection, we understand that it offers us hope and new life, assuring us that death is not the end. The resurrection reminds us of the joyous promise of eternal life and gives us the strength to live boldly in our faith.
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” – Matthew 28:6
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Romans 6:9
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” – Romans 6:9
John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'” – John 11:25-26
Revelation 1:18
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” – Revelation 1:18
His Return and Promise of Restoration
As we anticipate the Messiah’s return, we are filled with hope for the culmination of God’s plan for humanity. His promise to come again assures us that there is more to our faith journey. Scriptures remind us that the return of the Messiah is not just about restoring what was lost but also about making all things new. This promise keeps us looking ahead, urging us to live in faith and readiness. We are encouraged to be steadfast and to share this hope with others, knowing that one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Matthew 24:30
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30
Titus 2:13
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13
Philippians 3:20
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
Final Thoughts
The coming of the Messiah is a beautiful narrative infused with love, hope, and God’s promises. From His birth to His anticipated return, each moment in this story holds significant meaning for us. God’s plan reveals His deep love for humanity, culminating in the sacrifice of His Son and the glorious promise of eternal life through faith. As we reflect on these truths, it brings us joy and encourages us to share this good news with others. Remember, as believers, we are called to embody the love and grace that the Messiah demonstrated in His time on Earth.
We can hold onto the promises of His coming and His return with excitement in our hearts. Let’s continue to seek Him, share His love, and remind one another of the hope we have in Him. We are part of this incredible story, and our faith journey is just beginning. If you’d like to explore more, check out our resources on end of days and signs from God to deepen your understanding.