The Journey to Christmas: Rescue is Coming

Quite a bit has taken place since the Journey to Christmas first began. It started in the Garden where Adam and Eve experienced God’s plan in the fullest. Things were perfect until sin entered the picture and the world was thrown off balance. In the moment of mankind’s greatest despair, God promised a deliverer to bring his people back to himself.

God carried out his plan through the descendants of one man – Abraham. Through his descendants, God chose to glorify himself and give this people his presence. At the height of their history, the Israelites learned that God fights for their victory. However, God’s presence left them as it did Adam and Eve when Israel also failed to keep God’s laws and they soon found themselves exiled from the land.

Just as God provided for Adam and Eve, he also delivered the Israelites from their exile and returned them to their own land. However, they soon found that something was still missing. Although back in the Promised Land, they were still under the rule of other kings and kingdoms. Oppression and slavery still marked their existence and God’s presence seemed anything but near. In the midst of their despair, God began speaking through the prophets of a deliverer. One such prophet was Isaiah who had this to say.

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

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. –Isaiah 9:2-6

Isaiah’s message is loud and clear. Rescue is coming. For those who have been living in darkness, soon there will be light. For those living in the shadows of death, a new day is dawning. Where there has been sorrow, guilt, shame, and pain; soon there will be joy like that of a prosperous year or a decisive victory. Where there has been slavery, oppression, and burdens; soon there will be freedom. Where there has been war, soon there will be peace.

All of this will come to pass through a child. A new Kingdom is coming that will be on his shoulders. What the Israelites still do not realize is that this new King is for all people. The rescue is for anyone living in darkness, oppression, death, pain, or war.

Our God is coming for us. The one to crush the serpent’s head will soon arrive. In the darkest nights, hope is rising!

Read Isaiah 9:2-7 and respond to one or more of the following questions. Also, feel free to add your own insights into the text. The more interaction, the better!
What do Isaiah’s words tell us about Christ?

How do you believe this message would have been received in Israel?

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