PROPHECIES OF JESUS’ BIRTH: The Messiah Would Be Called a Nazarene

December 14th, 2023

The Birth of Jesus Christ occurs in the New Testament, but its prophetic origins can be found in several passages of the Old Testament. Through the month of December our Devotional Team will take a look at Old Testament Prophecy and the New Testament Fulfillment of the birth and life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Be encouraged as we celebrate our Savior this Christmas Season!

SCRIPTURES:
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY: Isaiah 11:1-5; 53:3
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; 4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.

Isaiah 53:3
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT: Matthew 2:23
“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

When God Interrupts with Better
In the accounts of Luke 1 and Matthew 1, we read where God’s messenger, Gabriel, came to Mary with the good news: The Messiah is coming; and she was favored of God and was chosen to be the virgin who would miraculously give birth to the Son of God. Of course, Mary desired the Messiah to come; He would save her from her sins. And what an honor to be used of God! However, was she ready to let go of her and Joseph’s plans? With all of the unknowns and fears they faced, would they willingly shift and submit to God’s determined interruption (to accomplish and fulfill His Plan)? They, most likely, did not initially agree with Gabriel that Mary was “favored”. She was a young virgin and promised to Joseph. She and Joseph had plans already. God sent a message of comfort through Gabriel. Do not fear! The Spirit of God would work and ensure God’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Even while still attempting to wrap their heads around the whole announcement, they may have gained insight and recognized that their era was prophecy coming to pass; Their attitudes and hearts may have begun to settle that Mary would be used to do a great thing. She would bring forth God on earth; and He would come to seek and to save the lost. They may have pondered, could it be that their Jesus would, indeed, be the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic message proclaiming the Messiah would come through the seed of Jesse and be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace? [Selah]

Prayer: Lord, thank You for how You unfold Your love, kindness and provision to us. For Your interruptions (plans) are to always advance and prosper us; we thank You for how You gave us our Great King in Your Son, the Lord Jesus. He came just as You foretold through the prophets of old; and He came with all Power and Honor to save the world from their sins. You purposed His time and season of birth. Now, to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever, I Timothy 1:17. In Jesus’ Name-Amen!
By Sis. Lisa Williams