the coming Messiah

Easter! Just ahead is the one day to celebrate the cross and the resurrection. Literally this is the central truth of our salvation and the Gospel story. We must not overlook it believing it is more important than Christmas.

This week we are looking at five promises from the Old Testament of the coming messiah. Jesus, the one sent from God and set apart to change the world. My payer and hope is that we will prepare ourselves for Easter through seeing the coming of Jesus and meaning of the resurrection.

Isaiah was written during difficult times for the nation of Israel. God’s people wee being threatened by many enemies. This prophet over and over warns the children of Israel about the consequence for their sins, but they continue to ignore the warnings. The consequences come to pass. The northern kingdom of Israel is destroyed by Assyria, and later the southern kingdom of Judah is conquered. God’s people are sent into exile in Babylon.

Despite these hardships and pain, the prophet goes on to speak words of hope and the promise of an eventual restoration. This was for now, for God’s chosen people, but also for us. Isaiah talks of restoration for the whole world, through the work of a Messiah, the soon coming of Jesus.

Isaiah 11:2-5 NLT

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. 4 He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. 5 He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.

That is where we find Jesus. Not only did the people of God find one who would lead them to peace and safety. But this Messiah knew their burden, their struggle and did something about it.

That is where we find resurrection truth and the Gospel. We need Jesus. The world needs Jesus.

Let’s tell the story of who brings righteousness. He was sent for us, and Jesus the one who will forever remind us and the world that God alone is the one we should lean on and trust in of life, health, peace and so much more.

Let’s get ready for Easter and celebrate who Jesus is!

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