Much more humble… Much more clear… Much more true!

Haggai, Zechariah, Isaiah 48-53 | December 6 - December 12, 2023

As we transition from Thanksgiving toward Christmas, my thoughts are drawn to the realization that my Savior came to this earth, that He took on humble physical form as a delicate and vulnerable human. This fact was prophesied many times through out the Old Testament, and from our Bible reading this week, referred to in Haggai, Zechariah, and Isaiah! As the One to whom we give thanksgiving during the time of in gathering, He humbly came with little earthly fan-fare, except the angels and heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:14) Many on earth were not looking for Him, and it had been quiet from the prophets for almost 400 years. However, the words of the Old Testament prophets cry out to us, and their words are revealed more clearly looking backward.

In Zechariah 9:9, it’s written, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

“… your king is coming to you; … humble…”

Luke wrote, “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (2:7)

Doesn’t get much more humble than being laid in a manger as a newborn!

Haggai, who started his prophetic work right before Zechariah, wrote of the coming King and His eternal kingdom, “… I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. … On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, … my servant, … and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.” (2:21-23).

“… my servant, … I have chosen you, declares the Lord…”

Luke also wrote about the transfiguration: “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

Isn’t much more clear, that Jesus was the Chosen One!

Lastly, in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, the prophet wrote, of the coming Savior, and of the ultimate sacrificial purpose for His coming to earth as a sinless human:

“Behold, my Servant shall act wisely; He shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. … For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as One from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. … But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. … He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not his mouth. … Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied;… because He poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

“… like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. … But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; … and with His wounds we are healed… because He poured out His soul to death and… He bore the sin of many.”

Luke again wrote of Jesus words on the road to Emmaus: And He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)

Can’t be much more true, His servant Jesus, came to the earth as an infant to grow in obedience, and suffer, to be sacrificed for our sin, and enter into His glory!

Seeing the King, the Chosen One, the Servant coming in the Old Testament, is an amazing gift to receive as I read through the Bible each year! And, to acknowledge that as He came vulnerable to earth, in delicate humanity, His body was crushed to death… and then He rose with a perfect and glorified eternal body!

So, as we continue toward Christmas, it is the words of the Angel of the Lord which resound, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

May you be amazed and awestruck by His-story: our Savior came to earth to live, and to be offered to all as God’s gift of eternal life!! Glory to God in the highest!!