Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/420759
December 14 Isaiah 9:6a A Child Is Born Randy MacFarland, DMin Provost & Dean I saiah's announcement of Jesus' birth came at a bleak time in Israel's history, a time of gloom, distress, and deep darkness. Injustice and oppression of the poor, widowed, and orphaned were evident to all. e nation was reeling from a leadership vacuum. ose in authority pursued only personal power and wealth. Prophets and priests had disgraced their offices. e people had abandoned God, leading to arrogance and pride. e worship of God was described in this way: ese people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. eir worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught (Isa. 29:13). In this seemingly hopeless and discouraging time, Isaiah announced that the Hope and Light of the world would come. e anticipation of one who would perfectly fill the offices of prophet, priest, and king was desperately needed and was fulfilled in the child who was born. What does Christ fulfilling the three offices mean to us today? First, He is our prophet or teacher. He is the one who reveals God, His character, and His ways to us. e questions for us include, Have we made His word the supreme authority in our lives? Are we seeking guidance, encouragement, and hope from His teaching? Second, He is our priest. He made the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sin through the shedding of His blood. "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God" (Heb.10:12, ESV). He prays for us: "He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25, ESV). He understands the temptations and heartaches of life: "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" (Heb. 4:15, ESV) and encourages us to "find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16, ESV). Are we trusting in Jesus alone for our salvation? Are we coming to Him with the challenges, trials, and sorrows of life? ird, He is our king. Are we seeking His lordship over our lives? e pamphlet "My Heart, Christ's Home" reminds us that He is interested in every area of our lives and the title deed to our lives is rightfully His. Finally, are we anticipating the day He will come again and reign as King over all the earth? 9