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THE PROMISE THE PROMISE IS KEPT FROM THE TIME that God first gave the promise to Adam and Eve until the Savior actually was born, many centuries of time passed. During that time, God sent numerous special messengers or prophets to encourage God's people. The people longed for and looked for the coming of that Savior. The prophets provided many word pictures telling God's people who that Savior would be and what he would do. With ever increasing frequency and greater clarity they spoke about the fulfillment of the promise. Then when the time was exactly right, like a flash of lightning and the roar of thunder on a clear summer day, the Savior of mankind was born. He was born two thousand years ago in a small village called Bethlehem in the land of Israel. He was born to a virgin named Mary. He was born in a lowly stable because there was no other place to sleep in all of Bethlehem. Angels from heaven announced this wondrous birth to shepherds. The Bible tells us that the shepherds were afraid at seeing an angel. But the angel calmed their fears. The angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." God had kept his promise. He had sent a Savior. This fulfillment of the promise is a very special person. He is both true God and true man in one person. He is one with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. We know he is true God since the Bible tells us he was present at creation. He is almighty and without sin. God the Father, on two occasions, even calls him "the Son whom I love." At the same time he is also a real man evidenced by his need to eat and sleep. He had a human body and human feelings. When this Savior, named Jesus, was thirty years old, he began to teach and preach the good news. Many people came to hear and to see him. They came because he spoke with authority. Often in his teaching he used parables,
earthly stories with a spiritual meaning. One of these parables is the story of a man
sowing seed in his field. Some Jesus then explained this parable. He said the seed is the Word of God. There are people who hear the Word but then the devil comes and takes the Word from them so they cannot believe and be saved. Then there are those who hear the Word with joy and believe for a while. But when they are faced with troubles, fall away. They are like the shallow soil on the rock. The seed that fell among the thorns is the Word in the hearts of those who hear the Word but their faith is choked out by the worries, riches and pleasures of this world. Finally, the Word of God falls on the hearts of many who believe in Jesus as the promised Savior, live godly lives, and are saved. We want the seed of the good news about Jesus to fill our hearts with faith, don't we? Jesus also performed many miracles. Such miracles are acts which only God can do. They were performed to prove that Jesus is the almighty Son of God. He showed his power over the elements by changing water into wine and by calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee. He showed his power over illness by healing the sick, the deaf, and the blind. Yes, he even showed his power over death by raising Jairus' daughter, the widow's son at Nain, and his friend Lazarus from the dead. This Jesus, whose name means Savior, is the one promised by God to Adam and Eve. He is also your Savior. It is through the good news of the Bible that you learn about what he has done to save you. May the good seed fall on your heart that you may believe in Jesus, the Son of God and that you might have eternal life through his name. __________ READ ABOUT THE SAVIOR'S BIRTH IN LUKE
CHAPTER TWO IN YOUR BIBLE. <Previous Page
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