In the 8th century B.C. a prophetic message rang out filled with hope about the future coming of God's Servant./1 Centuries later, Matthew's pen pointed out how Jesus had fulfilled this prophecy of Isaiah 42:1-4./2 However, one aspect of that prophecy continues to be fulfilled today, namely, "in his name the nations will put their hope."/3 What is it about Jesus that continues to cause people from diverse cultures to place their hope in him?
People from every point on the globe persist to fulfill this prophecy uttered in the 8th century B.C. because they have found in Jesus a clear and future hope. We discover that the center of their hope is not a message created after the fact, but it was announced by angels before Jesus was born and it became a reality with his death and resurrection.
To Joseph, the heavenly messenger had informed him that his wife to be, Mary, would have a son and he was to be called Jesus, which means Savior, because He would save His people from their sins./4 To Mary, an angel had announced that God would give her Son the throne of his father David. Furthermore, not only would He reign, but His kingdom would never end./5
While on earth, Jesus acknowledged and taught about his destiny which had been foretold through the prophets/6 and heralded by angels. On the one hand, Jesus announced that he had come to free people of their guilt through being lifted up to die for them./7 On the other, he acknowledged that he was the King of the Jews./8
Although Jesus had talked about who he was and what he was offering, it was with his death and resurrection that the good news became a reality. Jesus' dying cry from the cross, "It is finished" epitomizes the obtainment of his purpose. With his death, genuine freedom from guilt became a real possibility for our lives.
Regarding Christ's enthronement over an everlasting kingdom, Peter told those on the day of Pentecost that Christ's resurrection from the dead fulfilled God's announcement to king David that one of his descendants would be placed upon his throne./9 God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah. Not only with his resurrection did Jesus begin to reign and he must reign until the end, but his resurrection also guarantees that those who belong to him will be raised to life to receive an eternal inheritance./10
Jesus' death and resurrection are the center of a clear and future hope. Because he died and rose again the nations continue to put their hope in him.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 2004
1/ Isaiah 42:1-4
2/ Matthew 12:18-21
3/ Matthew 12:21
4/ Matthew 1:20-21
5/ Luke 1:32-33
6/ Isaiah 9:1-7; 52:14-53:12; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:7
7/ Mark 10:45; John 8:23-24
8/ John 18:36-37
9/ Acts 2:30-36
10/ 1 Corinthians 15:20-25
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