The Road to the Cross

“The Promise of a Savior”

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, To order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice From henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

I. Intro

Today, I want to talk to you about one of the most profound and meaningful events in human history - the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This event was not only a miraculous occurrence in and of itself, but it was also foretold by prophets hundreds of years before it happened. The prophesies that predicted the birth of Jesus are powerful reminders of God's love and faithfulness, and they help us to better understand the significance of this event. This prophesy was given to the people of Israel during a time of darkness and uncertainty. They were a people oppressed by foreign powers, and they longed for a leader who would bring them out of their suffering and into a time of peace and prosperity. And in this prophesy, they received a message of hope - a message that a child would be born, who would be a king unlike any other, who would bring them the peace they so desperately craved. But this child was not just any child - He was the Son of God, sent to earth to save us from our sins. He was the Wonderful Counselor, who would guide us in all things and give us the wisdom we need to live our lives. He was the Mighty God, who would have power over all things and would protect us from harm. He was the Everlasting Father, who would care for us as a loving parent and be with us always. And He was the Prince of Peace, who would bring an end to all conflict and strife and usher in a time of everlasting peace. This prophesy speaks not only of the birth of Jesus, but also of His reign as King. It speaks of a government that will be on His shoulders, and of a kingdom that will have no end. It speaks of justice and righteousness being established and upheld forever. And it tells us that the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish all of this - that it is God's will for us to live in peace and harmony with one another, and that He will work tirelessly to make this a reality.

Imagine you are a person living in Israel during the time of Isaiah, oppressed by foreign powers and living in a state of fear and uncertainty. You hear the prophesy of a child being born, who will be a king unlike any other, and will bring peace and prosperity to the land. You may have felt a glimmer of hope in your heart, but also wonder how this could be possible. Fast forward to the birth of Jesus, and imagine being a shepherd out in the fields that night. You may have been tending to your flock, or perhaps just trying to keep warm in the cold night air. Suddenly, an angel appears before you, and announces the birth of a child - the Savior, who has been born in Bethlehem. At first, you may have been startled or afraid, but as the angel begins to speak, you realize that this child is the fulfillment of the prophesy you heard so many years ago. The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace has come into the world, just as Isaiah foretold. In that moment, you are filled with a sense of awe and wonder. You realize that the prophesy was not just a vague promise of something that might happen someday - it was a specific message from God, telling you that the Messiah was coming, and that He would bring you the peace and salvation you so desperately needed. And as you make your way to Bethlehem to see the newborn King, you are filled with hope and joy. You know that the prophecy has been fulfilled, and that the reign of the Prince of Peace has begun. You are no longer living in fear and uncertainty, but in the knowledge that God has kept His promise, and that His love and mercy will always be with you.

II. Why did Jesus need to become human?

The first reason for the birth of Jesus was to address the problem of sin.

1 Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, and has affected all of humanity.

God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, instructing them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the fruit, and she and Adam both ate it, disobeying God's command.

God could not ignore sin, but instead, provided a way for us to be forgiven through the sacrifice of His Son.

As a result of their disobedience, sin entered the world, and Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden. The consequences of sin included physical death, as well as spiritual separation from God.

III. The Promise of Salvation

The second reason for the birth of Jesus was to fulfill God’s promise of salvation.

Throughout the OT, God promised a Savior who would come to redeem His people.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.”

Immanuel mean “God with us.”

Matthew 1:22-23 “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise, providing salvation to all who believe in Him.

Throughout the Old Testament, God promises to send a savior who will deliver his people from sin and restore their relationship with him. Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise and that he accomplished this through his death and resurrection.

IV. The Plan of Redemption

The third reason for the birth of Jesus was to accomplish the plan of redemption.

Jesus' death on the cross is believed to have atoned for the sins of humanity, making it possible for believers to be reconciled to God. Through faith in Jesus, Christians believe that they can be saved from the consequences of sin, including spiritual death and separation from God. In addition to atoning for humanity's sins, Jesus is also believed to have defeated death through his resurrection. Christians believe that through Jesus, believers have the hope of eternal life with God. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of salvation, and faith in him is essential for salvation and eternal life.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost, offering us a way to be reconciled to God.

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Through His death and resurrection, He made it possible for us to have eternal life.

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus provided a way for people to be forgiven of their sins and to be reconciled to God. Jesus' message of salvation and reconciliation is one of grace and love. Christians believe that salvation is a free gift offered by God through Jesus, and that it cannot be earned through good works or personal merit. By accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and placing faith in him, Christians believe that they can be reconciled to God and receive eternal life.

V. Conclusion

The birth of Jesus was not just a historical event, but a divine intervention to save us. In conclusion, the prophecy of Jesus' birth is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and love for humanity. Through the prophets of the Old Testament, God promised to send a savior who would deliver his people from sin and restore their relationship with him. This promise was fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. The prophecy of Jesus' birth is a testament to God's sovereignty and his ability to work through history to accomplish his purposes. It reminds us that God's plans are often mysterious and unexpected, yet they are always perfect and good. The birth of Jesus also serves as a powerful symbol of God's love for humanity. Through Jesus, God offered a way for people to be reconciled to him and to receive salvation and eternal life. Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection provide a model of love, grace, and selflessness that Christians strive to follow.