A Sign

The book of Isaiah is a treasure trove of prophecies foretelling of the coming of Jesus. One of such prophecies is found in chapter 7.

The prophecy comes forth at a time when King Ahaz, the ruler of the southern kingdom of Judah, was in power. His domain was being threatened with destruction by an alliance between the then King of the northern kingdom of Israel (Pekah) and the King of Syria (Rezin).

God delivers a message to King Ahaz through Isaiah, assuring him that Jerusalem would not be destroyed and that his enemies instead would be defeated. It must have sounded too good to be true, so the King was given a chance to ask for a sign that this would come to pass.

Well, the King didn’t want to appear presumptuous so he didn’t ask for one. But God gave him one away.

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

It cannot have made sense to Ahaz; how would a child being born possibly aid him out of the jeopardy he was in?

We have the benefit of being in an age where things that were a mystery are no longer a mystery (1 Peter 10-12). Thanks to the benefit of divine hindsight, we know that this prophecy was not meant for Ahaz alone—it was meant to foretell something bigger.

Our current realities are very different from the world King Ahaz lived in: yet, there are a few similarities. Many people would still scoff like Ahaz probably did when they’re told that the coming of a Son, The Immanuel, is the solution to their problems.

It’s possible there are Christians who mentally assent to the ability of Jesus to save to the uttermost, but are yet to have experiential knowledge of that saving power.

This season is a reminder to us all that God has given us a sign. A Virgin has conceived and has borne a Son, Jesus the Christ, who ushered in the age of Immanuel—God with us, on our very inside. The Son- Jesus Christ- is still the answer to whatever it is that plagues you.

In need of salvation from the nature of sin? Jesus is still the answer! In need of deliverance from any trouble? Immanuel- God in the midst of you- is still the answer. Don’t go looking for temporary fixes.

Jesus is still the answer for the world today. Merry Christmas!