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The Excitement of the Coming Of Jesus - Luke 2
The Excitement of the Coming Of Jesus - Luke 2
God had promised a Messiah. He would be born of woman and would defeat Satan. He would be of the family of Abraham and out of the tribe of Judah. He would be a descendant of the kingly family of David. He was could during the time of the Roman emperors.
After the return from the Babylonian captivity and the rebuilding of the temple and city of Jerusalem, God sent no more prophets. The last prophet, Malachi, added one last prophecy which stated that there would be a forerunner to announce the coming of this Messiah. Then we have 400 years of silence from God. He of course was still God and still ruling over His creation, but He gave no more messages unto His people.
Imagine the excitement that came when God began speaking again unto His people. Luke in particular describes the great events that accompanied the coming of the Messiah, or as he became known - Jesus, the Christ.
Angels began appearing and giving messages unto chosen people. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was told he would be a father of this great forerunner. An angel tells Mary that she would be the mother of the promised son of David - the son of God. Another angel appeared unto the shepherds and told them of the birth of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord (2:11).
Both John and Jesus are born in unusual circumstances: John to parents that were aged and barren and Jesus to a virgin. God was again doing great things among His people.
Mary and Zacharia are ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ and speak by inspiration proclaiming the greatness and working of God. They profess that these things are the fulfillment of the very promises of God that Israel had been waiting for. The Holy Spirit revealed unto Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ (2:26).
Hear oh peoples, unto you is born the son of God, Jesus. He is both the Christ and the Lord. Such news excited the people in the first century and the truth of this excites the people of God today. Thank you Lord for sending us such a savior.
Hugh DeLong
