Arrival

Week 1: Hope

Main idea: Christmas is here. It might seem a bit weird because we’re still technically in November, but it is here and that day is coming fast!...

But more than all of those things that we humans do, lights and cookies and candy and decorations and such…which are all great things...

we, as believers in Jesus, followers of God, we focus on the best reason to celebrate....

We think about Jesus. We’re reminded of the HOPE we have in Him and because of Him. The birth of Jesus, among many other things, was prophesied about long before his eventual arrival. For many, all through the years when these prophesies were heard or recited...these prophesied events gave them great hope in the midst of their suffering and pain…and whatever else they were going through.

Prayer: “Lord, your arrival changed everything. Thank you for coming to restore, renew, and set all things right again. Fill us with hope…your hope, this holiday season… And give us the courage to share your hope with others.”

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Introduction

Today we begin our annual journey back to Bethlehem. Back to where the miraculous birth of Jesus changed the world forever. It’s a journey worth celebrating, and for centuries the church has done just that through the season of Advent.

Many churches celebrate this in different ways…formally or just in maybe short mentions of each week’s focus.

The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus," which means "coming" or "arrival." YOu might even say His Appearing. During this season, Christians focus on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love....all leading up to Christmas.

Arrival…that’s the name of our series, and that’s the event we celebrate during Advent. The arrival of King Jesus, and with Him, the hope all humanity and in a very real way all of creation itself.

Hope. The birth of Jesus, among other things, was talked about…or prophesied about....long before his arrival.

For many, these prophesied events gave them great hope in the middle of all sorts of things they were going through.

Today, as we begin our Advent journey together, we too remember that we have all the reason in the world to be filled with hope because of Christ.

To help frame our time together we’re going to look at Isaiah 9:6, a key scripture that prophesied the birth of Jesus and presents him as a source of future hope for humanity.

Read Isaiah 9:6

The Promised Child and the Anticipation of Hope

This verse when Isaiah spoke it…wrote it…told everyone of the promise of the coming king. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”

We now know that this “child” was none other than Jesus, the Messiah and savior of the world…

But what did it feel like to hear this promise and how did the promise age over the centuries as the Jewish people faced increasing oppression and destruction from various rulers and people groups. To further understand, we’ve got to dive into Jewish history.

The anticipation of the Messiah, to the Jewish people all through history…is huge. It’s what they were looking for…always in the back of their mind…they were hoping for it to happen.

It's also important to understand that the concept of the Messiah and the associated hopes varied across different periods in Jewish history and among different Jewish communities. Historically speaking, the Jewish people have faced various forms of oppression, persecution, and frustration.

Here's a brief overview of some key events that contributed to their longing for a Messiah:

We can go all the way back to Eve on this one…we of course remember that those two sinned. And then God, in front of the two, talked to Satan…the accuser…and said…someday, one from her will destroy you and set things right again.

I wonder what Eve thought…will it be my next child?

Hope…she, I’m sure was immediately hoping for God’s promise to come true. Why? because it would correct what sin had destroyed. It would correct their fault…and not only that but all that is wrong…the chaos that humanity’s choice brought. She, I’m positive, looked at God and said…that’s what I’m hoping for....thank you.

And then all through history we have people looking back to that one promise…that God would make things right. And we see people hoping…resting securely in that promise…and wondering if it would happen in their time.

Hope...

And if not in their time they were to do their best to help the next generation continue to rest and hold to life in full view of that promise. Teaching, discipling, the next generation....stay with God…He promised…one day....we can have hope because God doesn’t break promises.

Biblical and Exilic Periods

● The Babylonian exile (586-538 BCE) marked a significant period of suffering and displacement for the Jewish people. They were forcibly removed from their homeland and experienced oppression and loss of cultural and religious freedom.

● Other historical events, such as the Assyrian/Persian conquests and subsequent exiles, also caused immense suffering and a desire for liberation.

Roman Occupation:

● During the time of Jesus and the early Christian era, the Jewish people were under Roman rule. The Romans imposed heavy taxes, restrictions on religious practices, and often subjected them to brutal punishment if they didn’t follow the Roman rules. Rome even had the priesthood in their back pocket. Again....not what God wanted…and the people knew it.

But still they kept Hope.

It’s in a couple of these specific periods where we can read of the Israelites, the Jews hope…for a Redeemer…

The Jewish faith, as documented in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), contains prophecies and promises regarding a future Messiah, like Isaiah 9:6. This Messiah was expected to be a divine figure who would deliver the Jewish people from their suffering, reestablish their nation/Kingdom is probably a much more appropriate word...

... and bring about a period of peace and prosperity. Because of this belief, or HOPE, there were heavy expectations placed on the coming Messiah.

Expectations: These things get us in trouble don’t they? Expectations. You’d like to thing that all of the people who work in stores are going to be joyful and cheerful and encouraging and filled with the joy of Christmas....

My daughter was shopping some time back with my wife at a store. And she was getting a hat…winter hat…with the ear flaps etc. A fun hat. The lady at the register proceeded to, in a very cranky way, let my daughter know how ugly this hat was that she was buying…not quite the expectation. Peach looked at Hannah afterward and asked…did that bother you?

Hannah said…no it was fine…because I didn’t tell her that her zipper was down.

Expectations....

Different interpretations and expectations of the Messiah evolved over time, influenced by prophetic writings, religious teachings, and oral traditions. Some anticipated a military leader who would overthrow oppressors, while others expected a spiritual leader focused on religious and moral transformation. Others were thinking fully…end times stuff.

In the background through … the Messiah was seen as a fulfillment of divine promises ....God's intervention in human history.

Quick background for the word messiah....its an old Hebrew term explaining…the annointed one the chosen…the savior…the one who will save.

A little more backdrop…the name Jesus, in the Hebrew, is the word…God’s Saves.

Messiah represented the hope for a future where the Jewish people would be redeemed, restored to their homeland, and returned to a time of peace and prosperity.

So you can see…if you’re in exile…taken from your land…you’re raising your kids in a foreign land with foreign worship…to foreign gods…and a culture that doesn’t live according to the creator’s ways…your hope in a messiah is probably one who will take you back to all those things…restoration of the Kingdom…peace…wholeness…right…

…for many, this was the expectation.

It’s against this historical backdrop that we begin to understand what a verse like Isaiah 9:6 may mean to the Jewish people and how we can continue to find hope in the promises of God as we read the same verse today.

Naming our Hope

Isaiah 9:6 bestows several titles onto the future Messiah. These are titles we still ascribe to Jesus today, and ways in which we understand His role in both the world and our individual lives. Let’s take a look at each of these titles now;

Wonderful Counselor:

● Context: In the original Hebrew, "Wonderful Counselor" can be understood as a "miraculous advisor" or "extraordinary strategist." It speaks of Jesus' wisdom and guidance, bringing supernatural insight and counsel to those who follow him.

● Meaning: Jesus is seen as the ultimate source of wisdom and guidance, providing unparalleled advice and direction to those who seek him.

Mighty God:

● Context: "Mighty God" implies strength, power, and sovereignty. It acknowledges Jesus as divine, possessing the power and authority that belong to God.

● Meaning: Jesus is recognized as not just a man or a prophet but as God incarnate, displaying divine strength and might.

Everlasting Father:

● Context: This title emphasizes Jesus' eternal and paternal care for his followers. It does not imply that Jesus is God the Father, but rather that he possesses qualities of a caring and nurturing father.

● Meaning: Jesus is portrayed as having a timeless and enduring love for his people, providing protection, sustenance, and love that will last forever.

Prince of Peace:

● Context: "Prince of Peace" signifies Jesus as the one who brings peace, harmony, and reconciliation between God and humanity, as well as among people.

● Meaning: Jesus is heralded as the source of true peace, both within individuals and in the world, offering peace with God through salvation and promoting peace and unity among people.

It’s hard to imagine what these promised titles would’ve meant to the original recipients of Isaiah’s writings. As we look back, we can appreciate the HOPE that would’ve been instilled in reading these names. Hope and anticipation of a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace… Compared to the rulers of their day, these titles would be a welcome list of attributes for future leadership.

And that brings us back to the most amazing truth of this prophetic hope… It all came to pass 2000 years ago in Bethlehem when Jesus was born and the Messiah “arrived”. He brought the Kingdom and the promise with Him.

The Reign of the Messiah and the Realization of Hope

In Isaiah 9:6, we read the phrase "the government will be on his shoulders",

Misra - dominion or rule....will be his.

Sure there were lots of governments in those days…and there was a powerhouse…Rome… but all dominion…all authority…over everything…will be His.

So this is an expression that emphasizes the authority, rule, and dominion that will rest upon the promised Messiah. The phrase uses the image of carrying a burden on one’s shoulders to convey the idea of bearing the weight of governance, authority, and responsibility. The Messiah will rule and govern as a righteous and just leader, in a manner that aligns with God’s will. ...

Today, we trust that this prophetic description is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah who carries the burdens of the world, rules justly, has ultimate authority, and provides salvation, grace, and guidance to those who follow Him. He is the fulfillment of the promise we see in Isaiah 9:6… He is the reason, as we sing in a favorite Christmas song....that... a weary world rejoices.

Conclusion

It’s in Christ and Christ alone that we place both our immediate and eternal hope. We live our lives accordingly, as we follow Him and share the good news of His arrival and reign with others.

How can Jesus be your hope now?

Think about the world…it’s crazy…messy…isn’t it? It’s scary.

At the same time we have fun things happening…our wildcats football team…the browns…right? We have incredible sunsets and sunrises. We see little miracles in our lives here and there…we see goodness…and beauty…its present…we recognize it around us…maybe even in us...

But we also see all that is going on. And then add to that some of those things that we experience personally…personal situations…relationships…illness…financial struggles…job struggles…sometimes it feels like the world’s against us and there are times when if feels like we can’t do anything right.

Hope....is there anything that Jesus…the creator of the world…and the one who was sent to restore all things…is there anything that he can’t revive?…either in us or around us. Anything?

Hope....we have hope in him.

We also need measures of patience and guidance…and endurance don’t we....

But if God promised that one day…all things will be made knew…and that the chaos that evil brought would be taken care of…if God promised that…can we carry hope?

Those in the old testament didn’t see what we have. We have the Word and the evidence that Jesus came…started the new Kingdom…and is coming back. He promised.

And if he promised to finish what He started…that something to hope for.

That’s why we celebrate...

Our hope is in, has always been in…will always be in....Jesus Christ.

And as a church....

This is our call… To share the good news of Jesus and to spread the message of hope, peace, joy, love, and forgiveness…

This past week …we locally here experienced a whole community gathering around a school family…the Tuskey Valley family in their extreme and tragic loss. The community…provided hope…through care, concern, words, prayers, gifts, ....texts, calls, cash, even just being present. Hope…provided. You will…you can get through this…we will be here with you through this...

Jesus comes to us and says the same thing…I am here…I am with you through this…with you through this…and I’m here to change all of this brokenness that you experience.

Especially this time of year… The holidays can be chaotic, stressful, and for some people downright painful as the memories of years past come flooding back again. Take some time this coming week to check in with your family, neighbors and friends. Pray for them and encourage them… As the Bible verse says for us....Spur them on to love and good deeds. That’s discipleship…helping others to remember Hope…Hope in Christ.

And If possible, remind them that our hope is not in the perfect gift, or the parties, or the Christmas bonus from work. Our hope is in the one who came to restore, renew, and set all things right again. He is the wonderful counselor, mighty king, and prince of peace.

He is the reason we celebrate the season.

Let’s read this passage together before we pray...

Romans 15:13 NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s pray together.