Day 1 - The Coming Messiah

As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, a death sentence fell upon all of creation. Mankind was cursed and could no longer share the close, joyous relationship with God that they had enjoyed before the rebellion. But God in His infinite love for His creation decided He would send a savior with a plan to redeem mankind and restore them to relationship with Himself. The Old Testament (O.T.) referred to this savior as the Messiah and His name would be Jesus Christ.
The birth of the Christ child should not have been a surprise due to all the prophecies that God had given in the centuries leading up to the actual birth of the Messiah. Unfortunately, most of the people alive at the time of the birth of the Christ child were not aware of His birth. They missed the party! The Innkeeper missed it. King Herod wasn’t aware it was coming. The Pharisees, rabbis, and most other Jewish leaders missed it in spite of all their time spent studying the ancient scriptures. Caesar Augustus, the Roman ruler of the region, missed it. The only folks in Bethlehem who were present for the most important birth in all of history were Mary and Joseph and a few shepherds who received a special birth announcement from a host of angels.

God was faithful to His promise and sent the Messiah just as He said He would. Bible scholars tell us that there are over 300 O.T. prophecies, or foretelling, of the birth, life, and death of the Messiah that God would send to redeem his people. Many of these prophecies are very specific and could only have been fulfilled by one person – Jesus Christ. The statistical odds of even just a few of these prophecies being fulfilled by the birth of one person are astronomically high.

Read: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:1 – 20

Q: Why do you think God gave specific prophecies concerning the birth of the Messiah? What does Isaiah 9:6 tell us about the Messiah?

Q: Given that God had revealed so many specific details concerning the birth of the Messiah, why do you think everyone alive at that time were not anticipating his birth?

Q: When specific prophecies given centuries before actual events come true, what does that mean for your faith as you reflect on these events?

Q: Scripture also reveals many prophecies about the next coming of this same Messiah. Many folks alive today are not looking forward to this second coming of the Messiah. Given that the prophecies concerning the first coming of the Messiah all came true, why do you think more folks aren’t looking forward to the second coming of the Messiah?

Q: Do you stop and think about this second coming of the Messiah? Does it frighten you or are you excited to see Him come again?