Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-21).

Jesus was destined to be our Savior throughout the scriptures. He was foreshadowed throughout Old Testament scriptures. As we go through this series “The Legacy of Jesus” we will look at His significance, His Legacy, or what He modeled for the world to live up to as believers in Christ.

For unto us, a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice, from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

There is no other coming into this world like Jesus’ birth. It had been prophesied through the scriptures for many generations. Jesus’ birth was a signal to many during biblical times that a change was on the horizon. Some feared what that change would mean for the world.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him (Matthew 2:2).”

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him (Matthew 2:13).”

Jesus’ birth was a sign in biblical times that the prophecies would be fulfilled. To some, they feared His coming as a sign of a change of the times. This would be true in so many ways. Herod the wicked king sought to take Jesus’ life due to the magnitude of all Jesus’ life would bring into the world in the years to come. God protected Jesus’ life by warning Joseph to take Mary and his son safely to Egypt. You really have to be anointed to be sought after to be killed the way King Herod desired.

Jesus would be the greatest birth story ever told and to this day the world questions how Mary conceived without Joseph a seed from God. Jesus’ birth is still marveled at.

A few years ago, many people coined that they were “Highly Favored”. This was a way of tarnishing the essence, value, and blessing of the favor that Mary had in her life to be chosen to carry Jesus and birth Him from her wound. When you think of “Highly Favored” Mary bared so much to be chosen by God. Her favor cost her so much, and though this was true she trusted God in ways many people today struggle to do. Her obedience to the call and acceptance of all that it came with; many people shutter at the little things God asked of us today.

Satan has always been present since the beginning as believers in Christ we understand that. The Trinity has always been present. Jesus has been prophesied and seen all throughout Scripture. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace and the people who witnessed them saw a fourth spirit in the furnace and they came out unsinged. We know today that Jesus was present for those who know the word of God. When he became flesh God sought Mary to be the vessel to bring him into the world to dwell among men and women.

Jesus’ birth is so significant because he was born as the perfect one. He was born to show us the model for walking and living as a true example of being spirit-filled and led by God. No one else in scripture or on Earth today has been able to perfectly model Jesus’ life. His birth was the beginning of a depiction of what God calls us to be.

Next week we will look at Jesus’ ministry. This is “The Legacy of Jesus.”