Day 2
The Coming of the Lord
John 1:14-18
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning Him. He cries out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has sur¬passed me because He was before me.’” From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known (John 1:14-18).
John the Baptist knew Jesus was coming. He knew that a new covenant was being instituted. God’s plan was being fulfilled in the flesh. God’s covenant given to Moses was displayed on tablets as the Law (see Exodus 32; 34). The New Covenant in Jesus brings us grace, something we could never earn. It has also brought us truth as God displays the promise of His Son in flesh. The eternal God became a human being, just like you and me. Glory!
Reflection
- How is it that Jesus came to earth?
- What do you think grace is?
- How could John the Baptist know that God’s Son was coming?
DANIEL 9:24-25
Seventy “sevens” are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven “sevens,” and sixty-two “sevens.” It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble (Daniel 9:24-25).
The coming Messiah (Anointed One) was predicted by the works He would perform, as well as the time He would come. By looking for clear signs, prophesied events, and predetermined timing, even a novice could have anticipated the appearance of the Messiah. And thus He came—right on schedule, at the appointed hour, in the fullness of time.
Reflection
- Does prophecy, a divine prediction of a future event, really work?
- Why would God make a promise about a future event?
- What place will be restored before the Messiah comes?
