Advent: Jesus Fulfilled Prophecy

Day 14

Personal Study

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. (Isaiah 7:14–15)

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7

Reflection

The prophecies of Isaiah give us beautiful insight into the coming Christ child and His role in the grand scheme of redemptive history. Miraculously, the prophet records this vision in past-tense. Isaiah, writing around 740 B.C., could view the events of Christ’s birth as if it has already happened. We serve a magnificent God! The Advent of Jesus wasn’t a mere afterthought or knee-jerk reaction to sin. For thousands of years, God was preparing the times, the people, and the nations for the coming of Christ. The Lord wasn’t just waiting for the right time, but rather He was preparing the right time.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

Things Isaiah tells us about Jesus:

1. He will be born to a virgin, as a man (7:14).
2. He will be Immanuel “God with us” (7:14).
3. He will know how to understand good and evil and choose the good (7:15).
4. He will reign over the nations (9:6).
5. He is the Wonderful Counselor (9:6).
6. He is the Mighty God (9:6).
7. He is the Everlasting Father (9:6).
8. He is the Prince of Peace (9:6).
9. His government will never end (9:7).
10. His peace will never end (9:7).
11. He will come from David’s lineage (9:7).
12. He will be sent by the zeal of Yahweh (9:7).

Jesus is the only Son of God (John 3:16), who reigns eternally. In addition to these glorious names and realities of Christ, He is also the King of Kings. We need Jesus to be all of these things because we are needy people. We need the Wonderful Counselor and we need the Mighty God. We also need an Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. The Bible’s point here is that the promised Messiah is coming. This Messiah, Immanuel, would be completely and wholly complete in Himself. He fulfills the deepest needs of God’s people.

“Christmas is the reassertion of the foundation of all truth and goodness and beauty, because Christmas means: God is truthful.” (John Piper)

Jesus came to earth in a specific way, at a specific time, and to a specific family that the Lord had prepared—to bless the nations eternally (Revelation 7:9-12). Jesus Christ is the greatest gift the world has ever seen. “To us a Son is given!”

Application

1. Spend time meditating on all the prophecies required for Jesus to be the promised Messiah, Immanuel. Have you considered the magnitude of God’s love for us? He orchestrates the movements of nations, languages, and people. The zeal and passion of Yahweh is strong for His people.
2. Think over the characteristics of Christ in this prophetic passage. Have you recognized and praised His might, wonder, counsel, fatherhood, and peace? Encourage your family and friends with these truths during this month. Jesus was sent to us and for us. Be thankful and joyful!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I praise you not only for your love but also for your glorious grace in showing us your love personally. You came as the Messiah, but you have also given us your Word of promise (the Bible) so that we can know and understand your character more deeply. Thank you for adopting me as your child and for making the way for us to know you deeply. You are the King of Kings and yet you are the everlasting Father for all those who trust in you by faith.

Family Discipleship Time

Read Together

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7

Discussion

• Why was Jesus called “Immanuel?” What does that mean? (Immanuel means “God with us.” Jesus was God’s Son who came in the body of a man so that He could rescue His people. Jesus was fully God and fully man.)
• What four names (or roles) does Isaiah say that the Messiah will fulfill? Which is your favorite? (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace)
• Will Jesus’ Kingdom ever end? (No, the Bible promises that Jesus will be the King forever in Heaven and that everyone who places their faith in Him will experience His peace forever.)

Additional Resources

• “Operation No More Tears” in The Jesus Storybook Bible
• Video – “Making the Most of Christmas” by Rico Tice

John Ragon is Snowbird’s website manager. He lives in Western NC with his wife and six amazing kids, and began serving at Snowbird in 2009 after graduating from Union University.