Neville Turley

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:44-45 (NIV)

Throughout the history of the Hebrew nation, God promised the Jews that he would send the Messiah to rule them.  He would be their King and High Priest, reconciling them to himself and destroying the forces of evil raging against them. The Messiah would sanctify the faithful and his blessings would extend to all nations.

Under God, the prophets revealed specific details concerning the identity of the Messiah and his destiny. Angels made people aware that the birth of the Messiah was imminent, and the Magi read it in the stars. 

The Bible lists people who were foretold of the momentous event. Besides Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth (the parents of John the Baptist), there was Simeon and Anna, the prophetess, both of whom had long awaited at the Temple for the Christ child.

Simeon took the baby Jesus and praised God that the promise he had been given by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before he had seen the Christ, had come to fruition. (Luke 2:26)

Once Anna saw the baby Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke about him to all. (Luke 2:38)

The birth of Jesus was not taken lightly then (not even by King Herod) and should not be now.  Yet many people will celebrate this Christmas with not a thought for the Christ child, God’s gift to us all.

After his resurrection, our Lord admonished his disciples. He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27)

How blessed we are to have the Bible. The same resurrected Jesus teaches us the very truths he once taught his disciples. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to take his teachings to heart, and apply it to our own life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that the Bible gives us a foretaste of the glory to come through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen