Second Friday of Advent

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 7:10-25

Key Verse(s): Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and hear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~Isaiah 7:14

In this passage we read a familiar verse that would come to be seen as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus (see Matthew’s Gospel in particular to see how Matthew understood Jesus to fulfill several Old Testament prophecies). This sign was promised to Ahaz as a sign that God was on his side against his enemies. But Matthew and Christian commentators since him have read this as also looking forward to the birth of Jesus many years after the time of Ahaz. This builds on the reading from yesterday – not only are we to trust God in times of uncertainty (since we cannot save ourselves) God promises that a child will be born and named “Immanuel.” This is a very important detail, especially as we look back from our vantage point. Immanuel means “God is with us.” When Jesus was born God literally was “with us.” He became a human and lived on this earth. With the sending of the Holy Spirit to believers, God is literally “with us.” He indwells us. We are still looking forward to the return of Christ and the complete restoration of God’s Kingdom, when he will in the fullest sense be “with us.” Right now we are caught in “already and not yet.” We are waiting. Our journey into Advent is intended to help us prepare, by looking back at what God has done, by looking at what God is doing in the present and by looking forward to what God will do in the future.

Reflect: Do you struggle with trusting God? Are you always asking for a “sign” from God to prove himself to you? Look at Jesus, he is the sign of God’s love and faithfulness to us.

Almighty God, thank you for revealing yourself in Immanuel, God with us. Thank you for coming to us to show us your love. Help me to trust you more and more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For Further Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 Luke 22:14-20 Psalm 31