12/27/2015
Dr. Frank W.R. Benoit
“The Expectation for Messiah”
Christmas series Dec. 27, 2015 Frank W.R. Benoit
Introduction – Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and re-study what the Bible teaches about it. One of the things that the Bible teaches about the birth of the Messiah is that it was expected by believing Jews at the time that Jesus was born. Even unbelieving Jews knew some of the facts about Messiah’s coming, without believing it would happen. Where did the expectation for the coming of Messiah come from? Why did believing and unbelieving Jews have the idea of His coming? How did that common expectation come to be?
- The promise was revealed (dozens of prophecies from Genesis to Micah)
A. Gen. 3:15 – promised to be Eve’s descendent and defeat Satan
B. Gen. 22:16-18 – promised to be Abraham’s descendent and bless all nations
C. Deut. 18:15-19 – promised to be a prophet like Moses and bring God’s word
D. 2 Sam. 7:16 – promised to be David’s descendent and reign forever
E. Psalm 2, 110 – promised to be God’s Son and Lord to reign over all nations
F. Isa. 7:14, 9:6-7 – promised to be virgin-born and be “God with us” and with other names of God
G. Isa. 42:1-4, 49:1-7, 52:13-53:12 – promised to be YHWH’s Servant to bring justice to the world, bring Israel back to God, be a light to the nations and sin-bearer for all - The time was revealed (Daniel 9:24-27)
A. The first, middle and final periods that Gabriel gave to Daniel
B. The first period of 69 “weeks” had reached the time of Jesus’ birth - The place was revealed (Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 2:10-11; Matthew 2:4-6)
- The people were expecting/knew about Messiah’s coming (Luke 2:25-38; Matthew 2:1-6)
Conclusion – Just as believers at Christ’s first coming were expectant and waiting for Him to arrive and joyful when He did come, we who believe in Him today should be expectantly waiting for His second coming and joyful when He does return for His church all over the world. That is part of what should make Christmas special and exciting for us still: that He did come as promised the first time, and will surely return as promised the second time. Merry Christmas!