Advent - Hope

When life feels hopeless

When the angel revealed to Mary that she would have a baby by the Holy Spirit, she had questions:

How can this be? - Luke 1:34 “34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?””

She knew the social rejection she would experience for being pregnant before marriage.

When the angel revealed to Joseph that Mary was pregnant, he also had doubts.

He considered a divorce - Matthew 1:19 “19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

He was ultimately willing to trust what he could not understand

Mary and Joseph, despite their poverty had to travel a long distance to be taxed by the Roman government.

When they arrived there was no place to stay despite Mary’s advanced pregnancy.

It would be easy to understand losing all hope in these circumstances

There was a time when the people of Israel found themselves in a hopeless situation.

God had announced His punishment for the nation’s sins

They would be taken captive by their enemies and enslaved

At this point in time, God appeared to a prophet named Isaiah and had a message for the people - Isaiah 9:1-7

There is encouragement ahead for God’s people - Isa 9:1-2

Isaiah 9:1–2 NIV

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

There will be an end of gloom for those in distress - vs. 1

Galilee will be honored

Light has come to the darkness - vs. 2

John refers to Jesus as the Light - John 1:4-5

John 1:4–5 NIV

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

God made a promise through Isaiah of a coming hope for all people - Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

6 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. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

A coming child would change everything

What follows are prophecies of the coming Messiah, some of which were fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming and some which will be fulfilled in His second coming.

He would carry the weight of government - Matthew 4:23

Matthew 4:23 NIV

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

He will be a Wonderful Counselor - James 1:5

James 1:5 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

He would be Mighty God - John 1:1

John 1:1 NIV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He would be the Everlasting Father - John 10:30

John 10:30 NIV

30 I and the Father are one.”

He would be the Prince of Peace - John 14:27

John 14:27 NIV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

His reign will be eternal - John 3:16

John 3:16 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

He would be an extension of David’s kingdom

This is why the Gospel accounts trace Jesus’ ancestry back to David

His kingdom will be characterized by justice and righteousness - Jeremiah 23:5-6

Jeremiah 23:5–6 NIV

5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

Hope was coming!

The Apostle Paul also quoted Isaiah about this Hope

The Jewish Messiah would bring hope to the world - Romans 15:12

Romans 15:12 NIV

12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”

The Messiah came through the Jews

The Messiah would also bring hope to the Gentiles - Ephesians 2:12

Ephesians 2:12 NIV

12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

Hope, Joy an Peace all come through trust in the Messiah - Romans 15:13

Romans 15:13 NIV

13 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.

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:27–29 NIV

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.