THURSDAY 24 December, 2015

Salvation: The Gift of Christ

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” - Micah 5:2

As Christmas draws near each year, I cannot help but go back through the Old Testament and read the prophecies of the coming Messiah. I am blown away by the words written by the prophets, declaring His birth. God is so good, because He provided every clue, every opportunity for the people to recognize His coming King.

The Prophet Micah told the people of Israel, the Messiah would come from the small town of Bethlehem. He would be the One to be Ruler in Israel. He was from everlasting. He was God and He would come to the people as a small child. He would leave the throne of God, leave the Father’s side and come down to live among men.

In this one verse, from this one book of the Old Testament, we clearly see God was telling the people He was sending His Son to them. There is no way they could not recognize Him when He came to them, born in this very small town.

Just as God used the prophets of the Old Testament to foretell the people of the coming Messiah, He used John the Baptist, to point to Christ when He came (Matthew 3). Today, we have the entire Bible, which points to a Coming Savior, from Genesis to Revelation. We have the full counsel of the Lord, so we are not deceived. Tomorrow we celebrate His birth—today we need to recognize the gift He brings—salvation!

Rejoice that the immortal God is born that mortal men may live in eternity.
~Jan Hus~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!