So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.
Philippians 1:13

 Recommended Reading: Acts 28:30-31

Being a witness for God originated in the Old Testament, not the New. Three times (Isaiah 43:10, 12; 44:8) God told the Jews that they were to be “My witnesses” among the nations. Witnesses to what? To the fact that their God was the only true God among the impotent idols worshiped by others. Wherever they went—especially in captivity in Babylon—they were to be witnesses for God.

Jesus gave the same responsibility to the Spirit-empowered Church: “You shall be witnesses to Me…to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Like the captive Jews in Babylon, the apostle Paul found himself in captivity more than once. But even in his difficulties, he never failed to be a witness for Christ. In his first Roman imprisonment, it became known to everyone that he was an ambassador in chains (Acts 28:30-31). The responsibility to witness for Christ is not only for when it is convenient but also for wherever God leads us.

Think afresh today about your life as a witness for Christ; ask God to make you mindful of opportunities to speak for Him.

Every believer is a witness whether he wants to be or not.
Donald Grey Barnhouse

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 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8

 Recommended Reading: Deuteronomy 29:29

Some things in life require a quick response—with others, we can wait. A sudden banging noise in your car or a bodily ailment that won’t go away may require an urgent answer. Other situations may not be urgent but are nonetheless puzzling. Our first thought is likely, “What does this mean, God?” In such cases, it pays to wait on the Lord.

The Babylonian exile of the Jews was, no doubt, a confusing time. The prophet Isaiah encouraged them to “seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Then God spoke: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (verse 8). He also said that He never sends forth His word (His will) without it accomplishing its purpose (verse 11). Whatever His will is, “you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace” (verse 12).

If you are in a situation you don’t understand, trust that God is accomplishing His will in your life. And rest in His joy and peace as you wait upon Him.

To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.
Matthew Henry

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And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13

 Recommended Reading: Numbers 4:31-33

God gave Moses detailed instructions for building a tabernacle (Exodus 25–40). The materials and furnishings for the tabernacle were numerous, all gathered and fashioned by the people in the wilderness—right down to things like tent pegs and cords for securing the curtain around the perimeter of the tabernacle. The Levites were given charge of transporting all these items as Moses led the people from camp to camp in the wilderness.

Moses went so far as to assign certain Levite clans to carry certain parts of the tabernacle. The Kohathite clan was to carry the most holy parts of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:1-20), but the Merarite clan was given charge of things like “sockets, pegs, and cords” (Numbers 4:32). Which assignment seems more important and prestigious? It doesn’t matter because both assignments were necessary for the glory of God (Exodus 40:34).

If God assigns you to carry the tent pegs for Him, do it with joy—it is the gift of God.

There is no work…that does not glisten before God.
John Calvin

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A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
Proverbs 20:24, NIV

 Recommended Reading: Psalm 32:8-11

Let’s start 2024 with Proverbs 20:24—one of the Bible’s great verses about God’s guidance. Sometimes we fret when a new year dawns because we don’t know what’s coming our way—either personally or globally. But our fretting is banished by our faith. The Bible promises that as we acknowledge God over all our ways and days, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

Our days belong to the Lord—every hour, every second, every moment. And moment by moment we’re kept in His care. Our gracious Heavenly Father knows the way He takes. He goes before us as an ever-caring God, and underneath are His everlasting arms.

As 2024 dawns, claim Proverbs 20:24, and know that God will direct your steps as you yield them to Him in believing obedience. There’s no telling what blessings He has in store for you, and only the unfolding of the year will show you His great plan for the months ahead.

Moment by moment I’m kept in His love. Moment by moment I’ve life from above. Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine; moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.
Daniel Whittle
 

Daniel Whittle

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He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
Luke 1:32

 Recommended Reading: Luke 20:41-47

In 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Almighty God promised an everlasting legacy to the dynasty of King David saying, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (verse 16, NIV). This is similar to the covenant God made with Abraham that through his seed all the world would be blessed (Genesis 22:18).

The opening verse of the New Testament says, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). The story of the Old Testament isn’t simply the story of the Jewish nation; it’s the story of one family—one ribbon of lineages—that leads to the Messiah!

Jesus is the rightful heir of the kingship of Israel who comes through the lineage of David. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant God made with David, a descendant of Abraham.

God keeps His promises, even over hundreds and thousands of years. He will keep all His promises to you too!

When God makes a promise, you can take it to the bank…. His promises never fail.
Michael Lawrence

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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
John 10:11

 Recommended Reading: John 10:11-17

Last August in India, a shepherd attempted to lead a flock of sheep over railroad tracks. An oncoming train—the Daulatpur Express—struck sixty sheep, and the shepherd fled the scene. Investigators also found another forty injured sheep in another place. They had been abandoned by the shepherd the night before.

Jesus spoke about shepherds like this, saying: “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:12-14).

Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He loves His sheep, and He knows every one of them. He will not abandon us or harm us. When we don’t know what to do or where to go, we need to remember to keep our eyes on Him.

The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever.
Henry W. Baker

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Arise, shine, for your light has come.
Isaiah 60:1, NIV

 Recommended Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

If you have a room in your house that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, how do you brighten it up? Designers suggest putting one or more mirrors in the room. One good mirror will double the amount of sunlight in your room by reflecting whatever sunlight manages to get in.

Our world is like a dark room right now. To those unsaved, Jesus is like a bright beam of sunshine outside their lives. But we are the mirrors that can reflect His light to others. This is a biblical metaphor. Jesus said in John 9:5, “I am the light of the world.” But He also said in Matthew 5:14-16 that we are the light of the world. While Jesus is the true light, we reflect His brilliance to a dark planet.

Isaiah 60:1-2 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you” (NIV).

Ask Jesus to help you be a light to this world.

[Christ] gives the light, and has ordained that every ray of it is to reflect something for God.
George Wigram

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For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive.
Psalm 86:5

 Recommended Reading: Psalm 86:1-5

Puritan Richard Baxter once preached a sermon to those who needed to give their lives to Christ. He said, “Heaven itself is ready; the Lord will receive you into the glory of His saints, a vile brute as you have been. If you will be cleansed, you may have a place before His throne. His angels will be ready to guard your soul to the place of joy, if you but sincerely come in. And God is ready, the sacrifice of Christ is ready, the promise is ready, the pardon is ready.”

Then he asked his audience: “But are you ready?”

Because of Adam’s sin, death entered into the world. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we have life. Though everyone is born in sin and will one day die, if we are in Christ, we’ll be resurrected. All of heaven is ready for you to make that decision, which you can make today.

Say, “Yes, Lord, I am ready to follow You!”

God was not bound to provide us a Saviour, nor open to us a door of hope, nor call us to repent and turn when once we had cast ourselves away by sin, but he hath freely done it to magnify his mercy.
Richard Baxter

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“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:2

 Recommended Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Although it was originally written in Latin in 1751, by the 1800s “O Come All Ye Faithful” was known as a Portuguese hymn. Not because it was Portuguese in origin but most likely because it was often performed at the Portuguese embassy chapel in England.1 At one point the carol became so popular in Scotland, that “apprentice boys whistled it in every street” and “the blackbirds in the square joined in the chorus!”2

Like many Christmas carols, the lyrics gradually changed over the years before becoming the words we know today. But the phrase “all ye faithful” goes back to the very first Christmas.

Joseph and Mary were given an assignment by God: Be a steward of the life of God’s Son. And they did what is required of all stewards—they were faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). They weren’t chosen for this assignment because they were perfect but because they were willing, obedient, and faithful. Those traits of Mary and Joseph make them a model of faithfulness for us this Christmas.

There is a Christmas assignment, for us all: to bring the living Christ into the world around us and reveal Him to those who don’t know Him. We are already stewards of many responsibilities: marriage, family, finances, the grace of God in us, the gifts of God given to us, the Spirit and the Word of God. In all these, we must be found faithful.

But this Christmas, let us consider the faithfulness of those original Christmas parents. They brought Jesus Christ into the world physically. Now it is our task to take Him into all the world spiritually.

As Christmas approaches in a few days, brainstorm one
way you can share the Good News of Christ with others this Christmas. Perhaps you can include a Gospel tract with a plate of Christmas goodies for your neighbor. Or you can invite an unsaved family member or friend to the Christmas Eve service at your church. As we wait for Christmas Day, let us faithfully tell others of the gift of Jesus.

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n:
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him!
O come, let us adore Him!
O come, let us adore Him—Christ, the Lord!

1. Chris Fenner, “Adeste Fideles,” Hymnology Archive, October 29, 2022.
2. Benjamin Ivry, “The History of a Christmas Classic, ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful,’” American: The Jesuit Review, December 10, 2021.

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 “…and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Luke 2:20

 Recommended Reading: Matthew 1:20-23

Some people knew him as an accomplished organist who made New York’s St. Michael’s Church vibrate with intensity every Sunday morning. Others knew him as a compassionate worker with disabled children and the founder of a school for underachievers in East Orange, New Jersey. Today we know him as the composer who gave us one of our greatest Christmas carols: William H. Neidlinger.

Neidlinger was born on July 20, 1863, in Brooklyn, New York. He studied in London and Paris, and he taught in Chicago and New Jersey. He was a choral conductor, voice teacher, poet, and organist. A creative editor of songbooks, primarily for children, he was also a pragmatic musical theorist on methods and education. Above all, he was a composer.

While the specifics of the creation of “The Birthday of a King” are unknown, we can guess that it might have been written or children—as his volume of children’s songs was a standard resource for early educators in the latter years of the nineteenth century.

As Neidlinger sought to teach children about the gift of music, God, too, continually seeks to teach His children. We are taught of how the heavens rejoiced and the angels cheered at the birth of our Savior. For Jesus wasn’t born by accident. He entered this world at a preordained moment to fulfill an eternally planned strategy for redeeming the human race. What a birthday celebration that must have been!

We are taught that Christmas is the celebration of the moment the Eternal God entered into humanity through the womb of a virgin—history’s greatest miracle of conception and birth. The reason Christmas captures our attention is that we have the sense that God Himself is being born—born so that we may be born again in Him. In light of these teachings, how can we also not rejoice and focus on the joy that appeared that first Christmas night?

As we inch closer to the birthday of our Savior, write out, as a family, a list of the things you are joyful for. Although it may be hard amongst the busyness of the season, take some time to sit down and really contemplate what “joy” is in your life. Perhaps you’re joyful for good health, a new job opportunity, or an impending graduation. Whatever falls on your list, thank God for it all.

Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light, ’Twas the birthday of a King

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And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God..
Luke 2:13

 Recommended Reading: Luke 2:8-20

“Gloria in excelsis Deo”—the chorus to “Angels We Have Heard on High” is distinct and rings through our head and heart each Christmas. The phrase originated in southern France where shepherds used to call out through song to each other on Christmas Eve, “Gloria in excelsis Deo.” According to some, the phrase may have come from a Medieval Latin chorale. In 1916 Edward Barnes arranged and printed our modern version of the carol.1 But what a vivid reminder of that first Christmas occurred each Christmas Eve in France—angels and shepherds rejoicing at the birth of the Savior.

What would Christmas be without angels? The greatest concentration of angelic activity in the Bible undoubtedly surrounds the life of Christ—His birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return. Whether visible or invisible, angels hovered around the Son of Man at His every step. They announced His birth to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. They ministered to Him after He was tempted. He spoke of them frequently in His teachings. They comforted Him in the Garden and were ready to deliver Him from the cross, had He called. They proclaimed His resurrection, explained His ascension, and worshiped with joy at His re-enthronement.

So it was with awe and wonder that the multitudes of heaven assembled one night over a little scruffy patch of pasture on the outskirts of Bethlehem. They came on wind and wing: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:14)

Is the phrase “Gloria in excelsis Deo” echoing through your mind now like it is in mine? As Christmas approaches, it can be easy to allow the busyness of the days to fill our mind. So today take a moment to stop and give God the glory for the gift of His Son. Write down three reasons you have to give God glory. Then pray together and thank Him for all He has done for you!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heav’nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo.

1. “Angels We Have Heard on High,” Center for Church Music.

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But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:7

 Recommended Reading: Philippians 2:6-10

Charles Wesley, the “Sweet Psalmist of Methodism,” wrote a Christmas carol in 1739, which he titled, “Hark, How All the Welkin Rings.” The word welkin was an old term for the “vault of heaven,” but it didn’t connect with people. Thankfully, in 1753, Charles’ friend, George Whitefield published a hymnal and changed the title of the song to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Multiple other changes to the lyrics have occurred since Charles first penned the carol, but it is still credited to him, one of thousands of hymns that he wrote during his lifetime.

It’s especially thrilling every time we get to verse 2 of the song because of that inspiring line saying, “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’ incarnate Deity.” That’s a powerful affirmation the Jesus Christ, the Babe in the manger, was the Eternal God Himself. He was “born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”

Christ’s absence from His heavenly home and presence in a stable in Bethlehem is history’s greatest mystery—the cause of the first and all subsequent Christmases. All we know is what the apostle Paul tells us: that Christ came to earth “in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). What a glorious condescension was His leaving His home to come to earth! The fact that He would leave the glory of His heavenly home and make His home on earth for our sakes … that is the heart of the Gospel. And that is what makes it possible for us to look forward to our own heavenly home with Him in the future. What a glorious reason to rejoice!

With Christmas just a week away, pause today to rejoice in Christ’s birth as the angels did. Together thank God for the birth of Christ that first Christmas. Praise Him for the salvation He freely gives us and for the joy we have because of Him. Write a poem expressing the joy you have because of Christ’s coming to earth as a baby.

Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that we no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give the

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For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8

 Recommended Reading: Acts 10:36-38

In 1985, Christian theologian Richard Foster published a book titled Money, Sex and Power: The Challenge of a Disciplined Life. The subtitle reveals the theme of the book: using money, sex, and power wisely is a challenge.

Not everyone has access to power in a broad sense, so we think it to be less of a concern. But the godly use of power was a focus in Jesus’ life and ministry. He used His power to glorify God and to do good in the world—especially when it came to undoing the effects of Satan’s power and influence in the world. Acts 10:38 says that God “anointed” Jesus with power to deliver those who were oppressed by the devil. And 1 John 3:8 says Jesus was sent “that He might destroy the works of the devil.” “Destroy” in this verse doesn’t mean to annihilate but to neutralize, undo, or render ineffective “the works of the devil”—to deconstruct before rebuilding.

Jesus exercised power over nature, sickness, and demonic forces. Perhaps most importantly, His power can undo the effects of sin so that our lives can be rebuilt in His image.

Christianity is the power of God in the soul of man.
Robert B. Munger

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I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.
John 17:20

 Recommended Reading: John 17:20-26

When you have a burden or a need and want to ask someone to pray for you, whom do you call? Our human tendency is to ask someone who is faithful, who is mature in spiritual things, and, above all, someone who cares for us. There is a Person like that who has demonstrated His willingness to pray for us: Jesus Christ.

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus prayed for His disciples (John 17:6-19) and for all believers—those who would come to know Him through the disciples’ ministry after He had departed (John 17:20-26). At the heart of these prayers was Jesus’ desire for the disciples to have joy through knowing the Father (verse 13) and to know the same love from the Father that Jesus had known (verse 26). Did you know Jesus prayed this prayer for you? We know that Jesus continues to intercede for us now (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), but His prayers began on the night of His greatest passion.

Trust that Jesus is happy to intercede for you: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

We are never more like Christ than in prayers of intercession.
Austin Phelps

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But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:24-25

 Recommended Reading: John 17:9-15

Have you ever been in a gloomy mood? A mysterious sadness seemed to hover around you? And then it dissipated! It’s likely somebody was praying for you. The prayer of another can affect our dispositions and drive away the devil’s oppression.

Now consider the power of the prayers offered by the Lord Jesus for you. He intercedes on our behalf, praying for our protection and safety, as well as through our successes and failures. We see a sample of His prayers whenever we read His words in John 17 when He prayed passionately to His Father for His disciples.

Be thankful Jesus is in continual prayer on your behalf. His prayers can chase away the gloom. And let His example inspire you to pray for somebody else. Your prayers can lift up somebody today.

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; he is praying for me!
Robert Murray M’Cheyne

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Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well.
John 4:6

 Recommended Reading: John 4:5-14

Jacob’s Well is still in the same place it was two thousand years ago when Jesus stopped for a drink. Visitors can still drink water pulled up in a bucket from its depths. Many tour groups in the Holy Land can’t go there because of political difficulties, but those who do find the ancient well surrounded by a lovely Greek Orthodox church.

In John 4:6, we’re told that Jesus was weary. He sat down at the well and feeling dehydrated asked for a drink. He wanted the Samaritan woman to draw some water for His thirst. In return, He gave her something for her spiritual thirst—His own living water!

When our Lord entered the world at Bethlehem, He came as a human who was subject to fatigue, thirst, hunger, and pain. He accepted His humanity because through it He was able to meet our needs and satisfy our spiritual thirst forever.

You may never be able to visit Jacob’s Well in Samaria, but you’re welcome to drink from the living water of eternal life that Jesus gives.

I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream; my thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.
Horatius Bonar

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Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
John 20:16

 Recommended Reading: Matthew 23:1-8

Pedagogue (teacher) comes from Greek paidagogos—a slave (tutor) who accompanied a child to school. There are two great teachers in the Bible: Solomon in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament. Solomon’s proverbs and Jesus’ parables were similar in that they illustrated deep truths with simple, everyday examples.

But they differed in this way: Unlike Jesus, Solomon didn’t always practice what he taught. We know that Solomon’s priorities were skewed as he pursued worldly temptations, whereas Jesus was the living example of the values and priorities of the Kingdom of God. “Teacher” in Jesus’ day was another word for rabbi, one who was a teacher of the law—like Gamaliel who was the teacher of Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul) and who was “held in respect by all the people” (Acts 5:34; 22:3). But not even Gamaliel taught with the same authority as Jesus—people “were astonished at His teaching” (Luke 4:32).

Jesus tutored and taught His disciples for three years and sent His Spirit to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Sit at His feet daily to learn from His teachings (Luke 10:39).

A disciple is a person who learns to live the life his teacher lives.
Juan Carlos Ortiz

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Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16

 Recommended Reading: John 5:18-23

In the Jewish faith, boys and girls participate in a coming of age ceremony called bar mitzvah (for boys at age thirteen) or bat mitzvah (for girls at age twelve). These Hebrew phrases translate as “son of [or daughter of] commandment.” In rabbinic terms, the phrases refer to “one who is subject to the law.”

If “son of commandment” refers to one who is subject to the law, what does “Son of God” mean? It would mean one who is subject to God. The phrase “Son of God” refers 45 times to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The term is Messianic, a fulfillment of the words of Psalm 2:7: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” God Himself is referred to as “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6), signifying the filial relationship between Christ and the Father. The Gospel of John, more than any other New Testament writing, emphasizes the deity of Christ as the Son of God.

Jesus is the Son of Man and Son of God. Thank Him today for being subject to the Father in all things in a way we could never be.

The Son of God became the Son of Man in order that the sons of men might become the sons of God.
Unknown

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Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
Matthew 8:20

 Recommended Reading: Hebrews 2:17-18

When reading the Bible, it helps to learn something of Jewish phrases. Take the phrase, “son of,” for example. It can be used literally: David is the son of Jesse. But it can also be used to describe someone’s unique characteristics. In Mark 3:17, Jesus called John and James the “Sons of Thunder,” pointing to their wrathful dispositions. Psalm 89:22 talks about a “son of wickedness,” which is indicative of an evil nature.

In the same way, when Jesus is called the Son of God, it means that He possesses the characteristics of God—He is, in essence, God. Likewise, when Jesus is called the Son of Man, it means He possesses the characteristics of humanity—He is, in essence, human.

When we picture Jesus in His humanity, we realize He experienced what we experience—hunger, sadness, pain, joy. He identifies with us. That’s why you can tell Him anything, and He will come alongside to strengthen you in your time of need.

He has been a carpenter; He is poor; but, above all, He is a man, and so completely a man, that men of every age, and every clime, recognise Him as a brother.
Frank Coulin

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All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

 Recommended Reading: Isaiah 53:4-6

Dr. Mitch Glaser wrote, “If you are not yet sure what you think about the Bible, take a look at the evidence anyway. If the prophecy in Isaiah 53—with its specificity and historical accuracy—is indeed fulfilled over 700 years later in Yeshua [Hebrew for Jesus], then that is a pretty good case that both the New Testament and the Hebrew Scriptures are reliable.”¹

If you read Isaiah 53 with pen and paper, you can list 48 different predictions about Christ, each of which vividly came true. It’s very hard to explain away the evidence of our Lord’s true identity gained through the reality of fulfilled Messianic prophecy. This is especially true because Isaiah 53 presents Jesus not primarily as a coming King, but as a suffering Servant.

If you ever have doubts about the reality of the Bible, take time to read Isaiah 53 and see how Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of all that was written about Him in the Old Testament.

Every Old Testament prophet reminds us of our need for a prophetic mediator and anticipates God’s provision of Jesus Christ, the Prophet.
David Murray

1. Dr. Mitch Glaser, “Isaiah 53 Explained,” Academia.

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