Speak to me

I still can't comprehend how the God of the universe, the one who created and sustains all things, has the desire to talk to me. I get that He might have something to say to all people, a message that is timeless and is communicated generation after generation, but a personal message for me is still boggling. And the way He chooses to speak to individuals is too amazing. Saying that God is "personal" just doesn't quite seem to say enough. Personal is too much of an understatement. John's life proves that.
Consider this, Isaiah writes of a forerunner to the Messiah. The great prophet talks about an individual that will announce the arrival of God Himself to earth. Now fast forward and put yourself in John's sandals. God's Word, spoken through Isaiah- the Isaiah, talks and writes about you. Whoa. So you sort of become a fan of Isaiah's work. A big fan. Memorizing all his stuff. You know him well- his style, his words, his prophecy, everything. Then the Messiah he spoke of comes and this is where it gets crazy... He is your cousin! The one you loved hanging out with as a kid when his family came to town for the feast days. The one just a few months younger than yourself. Okay, so you are cousins with the guy who is soon to be king. King with a capital K. King of kings, Lord of lords. The one whose kingdom will have no end. You've spent your entire life studying the scriptures, copying the scriptures, memorizing the scriptures, watching them come true and it seems that it is about to get really good. You have prepared yourself to be of use when the day arrives. You've remained faithful to the message and the cause, you've been disciplined to be righteous, and have not been popular because of your commitment. In fact along the way you've even made some enemies- powerful ones at that. This is where you start to wonder. After your arrest, imprisonment, and considering your impending execution you start to wonder if maybe you didn't miscalculate God's plan. Not God, or His plan, but your understanding of exactly how it would be or has been playing out. Did you jump to conclusions about Jesus? Did you see things that weren't exactly as they really are? Did you want it to be him too badly? It seemed right, but if it was how is it that life looks like this now? You told everyone He was the one. Some of your own disciples are now his. Did you mislead them all? You have to know, so it's time to just ask him.
After sending a couple of your disciples to ask you get your answer, and it couldn't be more right, nor could it be communicated better. It's straight out of Isaiah! God talked about your mission and message more than 700 years ago. You. In print, at the hand of the prophet, inspired by God's Spirit. And now He's taking you back to that message. Isaiah talked about you. You are known by the God of heaven and earth. You have purpose in His eternal story. He has been using you to tell it and will continue to include you in it. And now, in your doubt you can be assured He is who He says He is and will do what He has said He will do. While this message is for all people for all times, it is more than that; it is for you right now. It is for you to know that He draws you to Him. That He wants an eternal, personal, intimate relationship with you. That when He speaks to you, it is just that; to you. But let's get back to your question. You ask about Christ's identity because of your doubts. Your doubts arise from your circumstances and not the legitimacy of Isaiah's message.
Isaiah didn't just describe you, He described Messiah. The passage that is so familiar. It is coming true, right now, outside the prison walls that hold you. Jesus is Messiah and He is fulfilling his purpose. The answer to your question is simple, yes, the prophecies are being fulfilled. The challenge is equally simple, don't loose sight of your purpose because of your circumstances.

Created about 2 years ago