Advent is a season of anticipation—a time when we prepare our hearts and minds to receive the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. For some, Advent is about the flicker of candles, the familiar hymns, and the excitement of Christmas approaching. But for those willing to go deeper, it is an invitation to marvel at the eternal plan of God, a plan that culminates in Jesus, the Promised King.
This Sunday, we’ll explore the first session of our Bible study series, The Promised King: New Creation Through the Messiah. It’s a study that not only reflects on Isaiah’s breathtaking prophecies but also challenges us to see ourselves as part of God’s grand narrative.
The Eternal Plan Revealed in Isaiah
Let’s begin with two keystone prophecies from Isaiah:
- Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
- Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…”
These verses are familiar to most of us during Advent, but their meaning often remains a mystery. Why does God promise a virgin birth? What is the significance of a child bearing names like “Wonderful Counselor” and “Mighty God”?
The Virgin Birth: A Plan of Grace
The virgin birth signals that salvation is entirely God’s doing. From the beginning, God’s plan of redemption excluded human merit. A virgin conceiving a child is nothing short of miraculous—an act that can only be attributed to God’s power and grace. Martin Luther emphasized this point when he said, “Faith is a divine work in us which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God.” The virgin birth shows us that Jesus is no ordinary child but the divine Son of God, sent to redeem a broken world.
For many, the idea that Jesus was part of the plan from the beginning is difficult to grasp. But Isaiah doesn’t leave room for ambiguity. The titles given to Jesus—“Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace”—reflect His divine authority and mission to bring a new creation.
The Names of Jesus: Fulfilled Promises
Isaiah’s prophecy assigns Jesus several titles, each brimming with theological significance:
- Wonderful Counselor: Jesus, as the embodiment of divine wisdom, guides His people with truth and compassion.
- Mighty God: A clear statement of Christ’s divinity, revealing His power to conquer sin and death.
- Everlasting Father: Not a reference to God the Father but to Jesus’ role as a protector and provider.
- Prince of Peace: Jesus ushers in peace—not merely the absence of conflict but the wholeness of life found in reconciliation with God.
Each of these titles reveals that Jesus is the fulfillment of promises stretching back through history.
God’s Plan: From the Beginning to New Creation
One of the most astounding truths of Scripture is that Jesus was not Plan B. He wasn’t an afterthought or a backup plan. The Bible reveals that God’s redemptive work through Christ was in place before the foundation of the world.
Old Testament Promises Fulfilled in Jesus
The promise of a Savior runs like a golden thread throughout the Old Testament. From Genesis to Malachi, we see glimpses of God’s eternal plan:
- Genesis 3:15: The first whisper of the gospel, promising that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head.
- Genesis 12:3: God’s covenant with Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his offspring.
- Deuteronomy 18:15: Moses’ declaration of a prophet greater than himself.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-13: God’s promise to David of an eternal kingdom.
- Micah 5:2: The prophecy of a ruler born in Bethlehem.
These promises aren’t isolated; they are part of a single story—a story fulfilled in Jesus.
What This Means for Us Today
Advent reminds us that we are not passive observers of God’s plan but participants in it. Through Christ, we are part of the new creation. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Living as New Creations
To live as a new creation means embracing the identity given to us in baptism. Just as God’s promises find their fulfillment in Christ, our lives are transformed through His grace. This transformation calls us to:
- Live in Hope: Trusting that God’s promises are unshakable, even in uncertain times.
- Reflect Christ’s Light: Letting His love shine through our actions and words.
- Prepare for His Return: Living with anticipation, knowing that the story isn’t over.
God’s Zeal for His People
One of the most striking phrases in Isaiah 9:7 is this: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” God’s passionate love drives His plan of redemption. This is not a distant, dispassionate deity; this is a God who pursues His people with relentless grace.
During Advent, we are invited to respond to that zeal—to let it ignite in us a deeper love for Christ and a renewed commitment to live as His disciples.
Join Us This Sunday
This Sunday, as we dive into The Promised King: New Creation Through the Messiah, we’ll unpack these truths together. It’s a study that will not only deepen your understanding of Scripture but also inspire you to live more fully as a new creation in Christ.
Whether you’ve studied the Bible for years or are just beginning, there’s a place for you in this conversation. Let’s marvel at the plan God set in motion long before the first Christmas and reflect on how that plan changes everything for us today.
As we prepare for Christmas, let’s remember: Jesus was the plan all along. And because of Him, we are part of God’s eternal story of redemption.
Join us on Sunday at 9:00 AM in the fellowship hall. Bring your Bible, your questions, and a heart ready to encounter the Word made flesh.
Pastor Mark
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