What He Knew

The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (Isaiah 59:15-17 ESV)

He knew shepherds would come and witness Him as a Child, Christ Jesus, and their wonder would be amazing.  He knew the angels would herald the first announcement of God’s Son being born.  What could they have been thinking?  Can this be the Savior of the world? Could this be the One that has been promised through the prophets?  The scriptures speak of this marvelous birth in such a way that these shepherds must have known of the coming Messiah.  The heavenly host would praise God in such a beautiful song: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ (Luke 2:14) Shepherds would decide to go and see this miracle of a “promised Savior” (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2); for the angels had told them a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.  They would know it was Him by seeing Him in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:12).  Oh, the wonder of it all.  He knew the He is the King of kings and would be born through a virgin’s womb. The Deliverer of Israel would step into time, which was created for mankind!  But as a child in a manger!  A baby wrapped in swaddling clothes! He knew the kind of sign this would be!  Of course, it is the true fulfillment of the scriptures.  He knew as Child that He would grow into a man, the God-man, and would redeem the world and reconcile mankind back to God the Father. He would become a man of sorrows.  He would be beaten and smitten for our transgressions; His hunger for sanctification and holiness would surpass the temptations from the devil in the desert experience.  He would walk the streets of Capernaum and know that people would not have faith to believe but He would not stop sharing the goodness of God.  Miracle after miracle He would bring glory to the Father of Lights. He knew that one day those that He came to save would turn against Him and cry out “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13) During His time on this earth, He would touch the lives of the sinner, the impoverished, kings and priests.  He would not even join in the politics of this earth. He knew His kingdom was not of this world.  He knew He would grow to teach the elders in the temple. He would turn out the money changers in the temple.  He would heal the lame and the paralytic on the Sabbath. He knew He was coming to bring change to the perverse world that had been cursed from sin and disobedience to His Father.  Why? The simple reason is this: He loves us with a love that was determined to overlook the faults and the fears of our hearts.  He has the confidence of a warrior that could not be defeated.  He knew that He was coming as the Messiah, the Chosen One.  He knew He would conquer death and the grave to set us free to worship Him.  He knew He was coming as a child and to die and rise as a King!  He knew that His Father would speak openly from the heavens and say, ‘This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) It is good to know that He knew what He was coming to do!

Dennis

Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.