Beyond the Cradle : An Advent Reflection

Savior, Lord, and King

If you ask Google, “Who is the greatest future predictor?” the top result is Michel de Nostredame. This “greatest future predictor” is known for his, “cryptic and often ambiguous prophecies.”

Compare that with the detailed prophecies in God’s word. While there are many still to be fulfilled, every prophecy regarding Christ (some 333) was fulfilled. God fulfilled numerous other prophecies in Daniel, Isaiah, Zechariah, and other Old Testament books, down to the last detail. With historical and archeological evidence to prove it.

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent and we mark the end of our study with a word for the Old Testament prophet, Micah.

“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.” (Micah 5:2)

God chose the small, insignificant town of Bethlehem (House of Bread) as the place of our Savior’s birth. Everything about His first Advent (arrival) was to identify with us in our suffering and show us God's great love for us.

Yet Micah’s prophecy also looks beyond the cradle.

While we have been looking back these last few weeks, before the cradle, Micah’s words shine the light of the Holy Spirit forward to the second Advent.

“Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel,”

The Jews were looking for this Ruler the first time; and missed their Savior.

Today, we have the unique opportunity to receive Him as both.

God knew that mankind needed saving from much more than the political oppressors of the day.

We need saving from ourselves.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom 3:23)

Christmas is the beginning of Christ’s earthly journey to the culmination of God’s great love for us. The cross.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)

Here, then, is the opportunity to receive Jesus as your Savior.

“For ‘WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’” (Rom 10:13)

But as we’ve seen in these past weeks, Jesus is also Lord and King.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’” (Mat 2:1-2, emphasis mine)

Micah’s prophecy, and numerous others, points to Jesus’ return as King. Jesus says, “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’ And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’” (Rev 21:5-8, emphasis mine)

King Jesus wants us to be part of His family. He gives life, life eternal, freely to all who ask.

Here, then, is the opportunity to receive Him as your Lord and King.

As we light the fourth candle of advent today, the peace candle, let us marvel at the culmination of God’s perfect plan. The One who spoke the world into existence, came down wrapped in flesh, sinless, died to give us life eternal, and is returning to establish His heavenly kingdom here on earth.

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Photo: ©JuneCaedmon2019