Preparing for the Messiah
November 28
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“An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah. . .”
- Matthew 1:1a
Preparation helps. When I’m cooking, I’m always thankful to have a recipe, as it tells me how to prepare the ingredients. If I’m traveling, it’s helpful to prepare by looking at a map and reading reports from other travelers. The Bible prepares us for recognizing the Messiah. Apparently God didn’t want us to miss His arrival.
The entire Old Testament serves as preparation for receiving the Messiah. We’re given specific pieces of information about where (Bethlehem) and how (through a miraculous birth) He’ll arrive. Numerous events, images, and types foreshadow the climactic event of Scripture. And we’re told of the Messiah’s ancestors through detailed genealogies.
Matthew began his account of the Messiah’s life with a genealogy because he was writing primarily for Jewish readers. They were used to reading genealogies in their Scriptures and would feel at home with them. A list of names going all the way back to Abraham would prepare them to see Matthew’s book as a continuation of their Scriptures.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, we should be careful not to focus all our energies on household decorations or gift purchases. Let us prepare our hearts as well. That might include examining our darkest sins to prepare for the wonder of forgiveness. Or it might mean exploring our doubts in order to seek diligently to find answers that satisfy more than just our intellect. Advent can prepare us for a deeper experience of Christmas.
Prayer
Lord God, Author of life and my Creator, help me to prepare for
celebrating the Messiah’s birth during this Advent season. Grant me joy
in expectation, peace in the midst of busyness, and trust in Your
provision of salvation.
Randy Newman
Senior Fellow for Apologetics and Evangelism, CSLIRandy Newman (1956-2024) was the Senior Fellow for Apologetics and Evangelism at the C.S. Lewis Institute. He taught at several evangelical seminaries. After serving for over 30 years with Campus Crusade for Christ, he established Connection Points, a ministry to help Christians engage people’s hearts the way Jesus did. He has written seven books, Questioning Evangelism, Corner Conversations, Bringing the Gospel Home, Engaging with Jewish People, Unlikely Converts: Improbable Stories of Faith and What They Teach Us About Evangelism, Mere Evangelism. and his most recent, Questioning Faith: Indirect Journeys of Belief through Terrains of Doubt. Randy has also written numerous articles about evangelism and other ways our lives intertwine with God’s creation. He earned his MDiv and PhD in Intercultural Studies from Trinity International University. Randy went home to be with the Lord in May 2024.