Advent - The Celebration of His Coming
Our last Navigators meeting of the 2009 Fall semester I finished up our two week series on Christmas. Clayton Kreisel, our new amazing EDGEr, began that series with a look at the Messianic prophecies looking forward to a coming Messiah. I followed up with a summary of those prophecies, what was expected, what happened and what that means for us! I also painted during the talk which sadly I can't recreate here in a blog unless I had some amazing video footage... and I don't.
The definition of advent is coming. It's a season of time before Christmas where we celebrate the fact that Christ came into this world to save us, but it's also a reminder that Christ is coming again which we can celebrate and prepare for.
God paints a picture for us to see before we can actually/physically see and experience what will come. Each of the prophecies about His coming brought together can give a fairly detailed picture of what to expect... the full picture, however, is even better!
The context of these prophecies is important... most are given when the Israelites are in captivity. Captivity is far from fun or adventurous, so they cling to these pictures they are given which are even shaped by thier circumstances. I condensed many of these prophecies down into three representative pictures:
Light => Star
He is the everlasting light, light to the Gentiles, those in darkness see a great light
Justice => Sword
He brings salvation, restoration and rescues
He carries our sin, brings everlasting joy
He will crush the serpent and have victory over evil
Throne of David => Throne
He will restore the throne, establish the kingdom
He will be a warrior king who reigns forever
Kings bring him gifts
*(painted those images in order top to bottom: star, sword, throne)*
These pictures are a brief outline of what the coming Messiah will be and look like and these Jews are clinging to the hope of such a mighty warrior.
So we read the Christmas story: Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke 2:8-20
We can celebrate the fullfillment of these prophecies, we get to see the full and complete picture and praise Him for coming!!
*(finish painting)*
The definition of advent is coming. It's a season of time before Christmas where we celebrate the fact that Christ came into this world to save us, but it's also a reminder that Christ is coming again which we can celebrate and prepare for.
God paints a picture for us to see before we can actually/physically see and experience what will come. Each of the prophecies about His coming brought together can give a fairly detailed picture of what to expect... the full picture, however, is even better!
The context of these prophecies is important... most are given when the Israelites are in captivity. Captivity is far from fun or adventurous, so they cling to these pictures they are given which are even shaped by thier circumstances. I condensed many of these prophecies down into three representative pictures:
Light => Star
He is the everlasting light, light to the Gentiles, those in darkness see a great light
Justice => Sword
He brings salvation, restoration and rescues
He carries our sin, brings everlasting joy
He will crush the serpent and have victory over evil
Throne of David => Throne
He will restore the throne, establish the kingdom
He will be a warrior king who reigns forever
Kings bring him gifts
*(painted those images in order top to bottom: star, sword, throne)*
These pictures are a brief outline of what the coming Messiah will be and look like and these Jews are clinging to the hope of such a mighty warrior.
So we read the Christmas story: Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke 2:8-20
We can celebrate the fullfillment of these prophecies, we get to see the full and complete picture and praise Him for coming!!
*(finish painting)*
This picture looks completely different than it did before. Some were expecting one thing - huge warrior king, and saw only the star/sword/throne. Others saw this when they read those prophecies and saw them as an outline to this bigger and better picture. Many were offended, the Pharisees didn't see this little baby as the Messiah... nothing matched up in their minds. But some were ready.
The wise men were ready - very prepared to bring gifts for a king and worshipped Him when they saw Him. Zechariah/Elizabeth/John the Baptist were ready preparing the way. And a few others were ready:
Simeon - Luke 2:25-35 - was waiting for the consulation of Israel, knew some wouldn't believe
As soon as he saw Jesus, he knew it was Him. He was promised that he would be able to see Christ before he died and exclaimed... I can die now!
Anna - Luke 2:36-38 - She knew/recognized Him as soon as they came into the temple. She thanked God and told everyone.
It wasn't like Joseph and Mary were parading Him around... they could simply tell. They were not offended by Him coming humbly. They didn't know the little details but they saw what God intended for everyone to see in the big picture.
One question that can be raised is that Simeon and Anna were educated people spending time in the temple continuously. What about the uneducated or underprivileged? There's an example for that as well... the Shepherds. They were approached by angels and told that Christ had come in a manger. I'm sure they had no expectations of thier savior coming in a manger but had willing hearts and went to look and see for themselves. They didn't immediately refuse or doubt, their hearts were willing. That is the biggest difference.
We are blessed in seeing and experiencing the full and complete picture. We see Christ as our strong and powerful warrior king having conquered death but even more perfect - in humility, we as Gentiles get to experience His light and salvation... and so we celebrate!
As I said before advent is celebrating the fact that He came, but also the fact that He's coming again. Once again there are prophecies concerning how He will come and and what He will look like and do. Are we ready? Are we going to be offended and miss Him like the Pharisees did? Or are we going to be ready like Simeon, Anna and the shepherds? I want to be ready, but how can I be ready?
I have to be aware of those prophecies and look at the outline of the picture that God has given us. I can read, I'm educated and so I should take advantage. There is an entire book (Revelation) dedicated to this, chapter after chapter in the Gospels and at least one chapter from each prophetic book telling of the Day He will come. Even more than that... we need to Know Him. We need to have a relationship with Him and have willing hearts ready to trust Him.
Don't assume anything... Read, study and sit at His feet!!!
The wise men were ready - very prepared to bring gifts for a king and worshipped Him when they saw Him. Zechariah/Elizabeth/John the Baptist were ready preparing the way. And a few others were ready:
Simeon - Luke 2:25-35 - was waiting for the consulation of Israel, knew some wouldn't believe
As soon as he saw Jesus, he knew it was Him. He was promised that he would be able to see Christ before he died and exclaimed... I can die now!
Anna - Luke 2:36-38 - She knew/recognized Him as soon as they came into the temple. She thanked God and told everyone.
It wasn't like Joseph and Mary were parading Him around... they could simply tell. They were not offended by Him coming humbly. They didn't know the little details but they saw what God intended for everyone to see in the big picture.
One question that can be raised is that Simeon and Anna were educated people spending time in the temple continuously. What about the uneducated or underprivileged? There's an example for that as well... the Shepherds. They were approached by angels and told that Christ had come in a manger. I'm sure they had no expectations of thier savior coming in a manger but had willing hearts and went to look and see for themselves. They didn't immediately refuse or doubt, their hearts were willing. That is the biggest difference.
We are blessed in seeing and experiencing the full and complete picture. We see Christ as our strong and powerful warrior king having conquered death but even more perfect - in humility, we as Gentiles get to experience His light and salvation... and so we celebrate!
As I said before advent is celebrating the fact that He came, but also the fact that He's coming again. Once again there are prophecies concerning how He will come and and what He will look like and do. Are we ready? Are we going to be offended and miss Him like the Pharisees did? Or are we going to be ready like Simeon, Anna and the shepherds? I want to be ready, but how can I be ready?
I have to be aware of those prophecies and look at the outline of the picture that God has given us. I can read, I'm educated and so I should take advantage. There is an entire book (Revelation) dedicated to this, chapter after chapter in the Gospels and at least one chapter from each prophetic book telling of the Day He will come. Even more than that... we need to Know Him. We need to have a relationship with Him and have willing hearts ready to trust Him.
Don't assume anything... Read, study and sit at His feet!!!
posted by Korryn at
11:44 AM
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