Advent - Hope and Prophecy about the Coming Messiah
As we gather in this season of Advent, our hearts resonate with the theme of hope.
In our journey tonight, we will delve into the profound hope found in the coming light of Christ.
Christmas, the clue is in the name - it is meant to be a celebration of the coming of Christ.
Don’t allow anything to push Christ out of our Christmas! Instead, celebrate Jesus, worship Him, and make time for Him this Christmas.
Introduction:
In a world bustling with holiday preparations, it's easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.
Luke 2:11 tells us, “The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born in Bethlehem”
During Advent and Christmas, the hustle and bustle can drown out the real reason for the season, can drown out the echoes of ancient prophecies, promises that foretold the coming of the Messiah.
Tonight, let's rediscover the contemporary relevance of these prophecies and how they give us hope in our lives today.
The Hope in Prophecy:
The Old Testament is adorned with prophecies about the coming Messiah, and these prophecies offer us hope, a hope fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
As Isaiah proclaimed centuries before His birth: "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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, NLT).
In Micah 5:2, we find another prophecy that speaks of the Messiah's birthplace:
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf" (Micah 5:2, NLT).
As we reflect on these prophecies, let us recognise that our hope is anchored in a God who keeps His promises.
The Messiah, foretold by prophets, was not just a historical figure, Jesus is relevant to us today.
The Contemporary Relevance:
The prophecies are not relics of the past; they are living promises that bring hope to our present circumstances.
Max Lucado captures this beautifully:
"Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending."
In a world filled with uncertainties, the hope found in the promises of Christ is our anchor.
Hebrews 6:19 is a fitting Bible verse to support the idea of finding hope in the promises of Christ as our anchor: "This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary."
This verse beautifully illustrates the strength and reliability of the hope we have in Christ, likening it to an anchor that keeps us secure amidst life's uncertainties.
D.L. Moody's words challenge us to let this hope shine: "We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining—they just shine."
Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ:
Let's explore some of the key prophecies fulfilled in the life of Jesus:
1. Born of a Virgin: The prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)
This was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, born of the virgin Mary - Matthew 1:23, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
2. The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 paints a vivid picture of a suffering servant, a prophecy realized in the crucifixion of Christ.
Isaiah 53 is often considered one of the most profound and detailed prophecies about the suffering Messiah, and it indeed paints a vivid picture of a suffering servant.
The chapter describes the Messiah as a figure who would endure great suffering, rejection, and death, with the ultimate purpose of bearing the sins of humanity.
Here are some key points from Isaiah 53 that are seen as remarkably prophetic of the crucifixion of Christ:
Suffering and Rejection:
Isaiah 53:3 (NLT): "He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care."
This aligns with the Gospel accounts of Jesus' rejection by his own people and the sorrow and grief he experienced, culminating in his crucifixion.
Bearing Our Sins:
Isaiah 53:4-5 (NLT): "Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed."
The imagery of being pierced for our rebellion and crushed for our sins strongly corresponds to the crucifixion, where Jesus was pierced through with nails and bore the weight of humanity's sins.
Silent Suffering:
Isaiah 53:7 (NLT): "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth."
This echoes the Gospel accounts of Jesus remaining silent during his trial, even when false accusations were brought against him.
Death and Burial:
Isaiah 53:9 (NLT): "He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave."
Jesus' death as a blameless individual and his burial in a rich man's tomb find parallels in the biblical accounts of his crucifixion and burial by Joseph of Arimathea.
The parallels between Isaiah 53 and the events of Jesus' crucifixion are striking.
Isaiah 53 is a powerful and specific prophecy fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
3. Triumphal Entry: Zechariah 9:9 foresaw the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, Rejoice, O people of Zion
Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!
Look, your king is coming to you.
He is righteous and victorious,
yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—
riding on a donkey’s colt.
- a scene we witness in Matthew 21:5, “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey — riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
4. Betrayal for 30 Pieces of Silver:
Zechariah 11:12 prophesied the betrayal of the Messiah for 30 pieces of silver, fulfilled in Judas' actions (Matthew 26:15).
Encouragement and Call to Action:
In embracing the hope found in the prophecies and their fulfilment in Christ, we find encouragement for our journey.
The Messiah who came once is the same who promises to come again.
Our hope is not in fleeting circumstances but in the eternal promises of God.
As we navigate the complexities of life, let the light within us guide and comfort us.
And as others witness the radiance of our hope, may they be drawn to the source of this unwavering light—Jesus Christ.
Communion Reflection: "Partaking in the Light of Christ"
As we stand at the start of the Advent season, our hearts have been stirred with the message of hope — a hope that is not just an expectation but a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending, as beautifully described by Max Lucado.
In this moment of reflection, we remember the challenge from D.L. Moody:
"We are told to let our light shine."
The hope we carry, the light within us, is not meant to be hidden or reserved solely for ourselves.
It is a radiant beacon meant to guide others to the source of this unwavering light—Jesus Christ.
As we approach the communion table, let's reflect on the significance of the elements before us.
The bread, symbolizing the body of Christ broken for us, and the cup, symbolizing the blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
The Bread: In the birth of Jesus, we find the embodiment of hope.
He came not as a distant ruler but as Immanuel, God with us.
The bread represents His body, broken for us, a tangible reminder of His incarnation, His willingness to be with us in our humanity.
As we partake, let's remember that in Christ, we are never alone.
The Cup: The cup holds the symbolism of the new covenant, sealed with the blood of Christ.
This covenant is our certain hope, the assurance that we are forgiven and reconciled to God.
As we drink, let's reflect on the significance of this covenant—God's commitment to be with us, to save us, and to offer us eternal life.
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, let this communion be a sacred pause.
A moment to let our light shine not just in words but in the solemn act of partaking in the body and blood of Christ.
As you receive the elements, let the light of hope radiate from you, touching those around you.
May the hope found in the coming light of Christ spill over into our actions, transforming not just our hearts but the world around us.
As we celebrate the birth of the Coming King, let this communion be a profound expression of our worship, a tangible acknowledgment of the transformative power of the light that has come into the world.
Let us partake in unity, remembering that we are one body in Christ, shining forth His light in a world hungry for hope.
