From crib to cross, this is how we can view Isaiah's prophecy. The Messiah’s birth from the stump of Jesse to his death on the cross lifted as an ensign of God’s power. But between them is the life, message, and works of Jesus.
The Messiah to be born will be endowed with the Spirit of the Lord, who will grant him wisdom,
understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. Indeed, his delight will be in the fear of the Lord.
Jesus’ life, ministry, suffering, and death embodied all these attributes, gifts of the Holy Spirit. And the same Spirit is sharing these same gifts with us.
Leading up to Christmas, many of us will be shopping for presents for our close family and friends.
If we were wise, we might have shopped for gifts even earlier to avoid the mad rush that comes over people at this time of the year.
As we journey towards celebrating the birth of our Prince of Peace, may we reflect on the gifts of the Spirit – the gifts that Jesus embodied, the gifts that Jesus wants us to embody and share with the world. And may we all delight in the fear, the awe, of the Lord, whose most incredible gift to us
is sending his only begotten son as a baby that all who believe may not perish but have eternal life.
How can you be a gift to others today?
