January 31, 2018

Recognizing the True Messiah

Isaiah 9:2-7

He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

—  Isaiah 9:6

No one except Jesus can fill the description in this passage. He is the only Savior of the world.

So today, if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please pray for people who don’t yet know him. Pray that they might recognize him as the Messiah and Savior who is the ruler over all and the Lord of life and peace. Hopefully through these devotions you have developed a concern and compassion for people who have difficulty seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. Be ready to show others how Christians interpret Scripture. Pray that people can overcome intellectual and cultural doubts. Pray that they may realize Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.

Pray for people who have a limited view of Jesus. Many see him as only an enlightened wisdom teacher and a prophetic human being who struggled against the evil forces of society. But Jesus rose from the dead, and all who believe in him will also be raised when he comes again.

Jesus is uniquely God and uniquely human. He is the one who walked this earth as a human being and as eternal God at the same time.

Let Jesus be your caring Coun­selor who speaks to your doubts! Let him be your sufficient Father who cares for your every need! Honor him as the Mighty God who rules over all! See him as the Prince of Peace in this world!

Lord Jesus, may each day of our lives be filled with meaning because we are walking with you, our eternal God! Amen.

About the author — Dean Deppe

Dean Deppe has been a pastor in inner-city, suburban, and rural ­churches. Currently he teaches New Testament theology at Calvin Theological Seminary. His courses include one on the parables of Jesus. He and his wife have four grown children.

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