Isaiah 35:1-10 – When
God comes to save His people, they will enjoy paradise. The
Old Testament lesson speaks of the conditions resulting from God’s coming to
His people. When God comes to save His people, they will enjoy paradise. Advent
3 deals with the identity of the Messiah. At the second coming, the promised
paradise will become a reality. Our lesson shows us what kind of world we will
have when the Lord comes to save us: paradise, healing and joy.
Isaiah lived close to seven hundred years before Jesus
was born. Yet inspired by the Spirit he will predict with pinpoint precision
exactly what the coming Messiah will do. For years Israel had dreamed of the
LORD’s coming in the person of the Messiah to deliver the nation from its
bondage. The prophets promised that the Father would send this Messiah. For
centuries Israel hoped for the Messiah to come. Then there appears a man of
Nazareth who makes the claim that he is the Messiah. Shall he be believe and
accepted as such? Does he fill the bill so to speak as described by the
prophet? Did Jesus make things happen as the prophets foretold?
Comparing the Old Testament lesson with the Gospel
lesson appointed for this Sunday we see that Jesus fulfilled each of the
promises Isaiah had predicted in Matthew 11:5
Ø Isaiah had promised the blind shall see v. 5a; In Jesus’
ministry the prophecy is fulfilled; the blind receive their sight.
Ø Isaiah had promised the deaf shall hear in v. 5a; In
Jesus’ ministry the prophecy is fulfilled; the deaf hear.
Ø Isaiah had promised the lame shall walk in v. 6; In
Jesus’ ministry the lame walk.
Ø Isaiah had promised the people would rejoice with
singing in v. 2; In Jesus’ ministry the poor have the good new preached to
them.
In His ministry Jesus fulfills the promises the
prophets had predicted in the Old Testament. Jesus is the yes and Amen to all
of the Father’s promises
Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent: Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear
our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious
visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever.[2]
- 07 December 2022—
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