FRIDAY June 30, 2023
The Promised Messiah
“From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ ”
Acts 13:23-25
God’s people had rejected His sovereign rulership. They wanted a king. Saul was chosen, but because of his disobedience, he was replaced with David––a man after God’s own heart. Samuel anointed him king when he was just a young, handsome shepherd boy:
“...Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons” (1 Samuel 16:1).
And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:11-13).
Saul saw God’s anointing on David’s life. He became full of Jealousy and tried to destroy him. Yet after many years of Saul’s persecution, David became King of Israel––a man who loved God with all his heart. God looks at the inward, not the outward appearance of men. Through this royal lineage would come the Messiah––Jesus!
Paul gave the New Testament account of the life of John the Baptist, who pointed people to Jesus Christ as the Messiah––the One whose sandals he was unworthy to loosen. This was the point of Paul’s sermon; he wanted to point people to Christ.
My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which I believe, comes through knowing Christ.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
