Savior of the World
Micah 5:2 NKJV - But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
OBSERVATION:
As we light the sixth candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, we see the fulfillment of a prophecy from Micah about Jesus’ birthplace: Bethlehem Ephrathah. Bethlehem means house of bread, and Jesus would be the “Bread of Life.” Ephrathah means fruitfulness and abundance, which we receive through the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
As Micah declares that a “Ruler in Israel whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” is coming, we see the place of His birth fulfilled in Luke 2:1-20. God Himself steps into humanity to become flesh, though He is and was from the beginning. He now sets aside His royalty, yet remains fully God and fully man to bring redemption to His own creation.
OBSERVATION:
As we light the sixth candle, representing Jesus, the Light of the World, we see the fulfillment of a prophecy from Micah about Jesus’ birthplace: Bethlehem Ephrathah. Bethlehem means house of bread, and Jesus would be the “Bread of Life.” Ephrathah means fruitfulness and abundance, which we receive through the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
As Micah declares that a “Ruler in Israel whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” is coming, we see the place of His birth fulfilled in Luke 2:1-20. God Himself steps into humanity to become flesh, though He is and was from the beginning. He now sets aside His royalty, yet remains fully God and fully man to bring redemption to His own creation.
So it was that we have the One from old, from everlasting, come to us in the form of a lowly, humble baby, to become the Ruler in Israel and all the world, whose kingdom on earth will be one of mercy, grace, and redemption. He would not rule with an iron fist but as a gentle, lowly servant, to save all who would come to Him.
“There are striking parallels between the first part of Psalm 98 and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55),
which may mean that the mother of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly saw that
the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.” – James Mongomery Boice
which may mean that the mother of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly saw that
the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.” – James Mongomery Boice
Welcome to our World!
We see in Luke 2:1-5 that even at the birth of Jesus, God was working behind the scenes, placing it upon Caesar Augustus' heart to call for a tax that would bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to fulfill Micah 5:2.
Luke 2 begins with the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:6-7 NKJV - So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
As the Messiah’s birth finally came, the herald angels found shepherds watching their sheep to announce the birth of the one who would save mankind. You might ask, “Why shepherds and not dignitaries, famous people, or people of power?” It was to show us that Jesus came to save even the lowest; none were too lowly for Him to save. Thus, the message came to those of the day who were not popular or well-liked, but those seen as the riff-raff and trouble of the world. So the message is the same today: no one is beyond the reach of Jesus Christ's saving grace.
Luke 2:11-12 NKJV - "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
Fear turned into great joy (vs 10) as a savior was born. What must have been going through the minds of these shepherds, knowing who they were and even what they were, yet a savior had come? “Is it too good to be true? Is there one who can save me, even in my lowest state?” The answer was found in the resounding chorus of a “heavenly host praising God” (vs 13).
Luke 2:14 NKJV - "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
The account tells us that they hurried to see this baby, the one called the “Savior of the World.”
Luke 2:15-18 NKJV - So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luke 2 begins with the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:6-7 NKJV - So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
As the Messiah’s birth finally came, the herald angels found shepherds watching their sheep to announce the birth of the one who would save mankind. You might ask, “Why shepherds and not dignitaries, famous people, or people of power?” It was to show us that Jesus came to save even the lowest; none were too lowly for Him to save. Thus, the message came to those of the day who were not popular or well-liked, but those seen as the riff-raff and trouble of the world. So the message is the same today: no one is beyond the reach of Jesus Christ's saving grace.
Luke 2:11-12 NKJV - "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
Fear turned into great joy (vs 10) as a savior was born. What must have been going through the minds of these shepherds, knowing who they were and even what they were, yet a savior had come? “Is it too good to be true? Is there one who can save me, even in my lowest state?” The answer was found in the resounding chorus of a “heavenly host praising God” (vs 13).
Luke 2:14 NKJV - "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
The account tells us that they hurried to see this baby, the one called the “Savior of the World.”
Luke 2:15-18 NKJV - So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
APPLICATON:
In 1995, Chris Rice, a songwriter and musician, wrote a song called “Welcome to our World.” In the song, we glimpse the heart of God in sending His Son, Jesus, to save us. It begins with a welcome and ends with a somber reminder of what the Christ Child would do.
“Tears are falling, hearts are breaking, how we need to hear from God. You've been promised, we've been waiting. Welcome, holy Child, welcome, holy Child.”
This Christmas season, remember, and like the shepherds, make it widely known what Jesus has done for you. Truly, hearts are breaking, and many still need to hear from God. May this be the year they see the promised one they have been waiting for.
“Fragile finger sent to heal us, tender brow prepared for thorn. Tiny heart whose blood will save us.
Unto us is born, unto us is born.”
“So wrap our injured flesh around You, breathe our air and walk our sod. Rob our sin and make us holy. Perfect Son of God, Perfect Son of God - Welcome to our world.”
In 1995, Chris Rice, a songwriter and musician, wrote a song called “Welcome to our World.” In the song, we glimpse the heart of God in sending His Son, Jesus, to save us. It begins with a welcome and ends with a somber reminder of what the Christ Child would do.
“Tears are falling, hearts are breaking, how we need to hear from God. You've been promised, we've been waiting. Welcome, holy Child, welcome, holy Child.”
This Christmas season, remember, and like the shepherds, make it widely known what Jesus has done for you. Truly, hearts are breaking, and many still need to hear from God. May this be the year they see the promised one they have been waiting for.
“Fragile finger sent to heal us, tender brow prepared for thorn. Tiny heart whose blood will save us.
Unto us is born, unto us is born.”
“So wrap our injured flesh around You, breathe our air and walk our sod. Rob our sin and make us holy. Perfect Son of God, Perfect Son of God - Welcome to our world.”
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for coming 2,000 years ago into this world to save sinners like me. Tonight, we remember and celebrate all You have done. Be glorified in us. May we be like the shepherds, never forgetting where we came from and how You saved us, and be ready to share and make widely known You, our Savior!
Jesus, thank You for coming 2,000 years ago into this world to save sinners like me. Tonight, we remember and celebrate all You have done. Be glorified in us. May we be like the shepherds, never forgetting where we came from and how You saved us, and be ready to share and make widely known You, our Savior!
Welcome to our World!