Jesus: The Hope of the Nations

Jesus: The Hope of the Nations
Studies on The Incarnation
 
December 16, 2007
 
The Incarnation is the hub not only of human history, but also of ultimate reality.  It is in the incarnation that we know God…it is how God has chosen to let us know Him.  
 
Specifically, the Jewish man Jesus was God the Son…the promised hope of all the nations. If we are to understand & know Him, we must embrace & orient our lives around this supreme reality.  
Where did all the nations come from?
“At one time the whole earth had the same language and vocabulary…And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth’…So the LORD scattered them…there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth…and from there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”             -Gen. 11
 
What was the purpose of the Jewish nation?
“The LORD said to Abram: ‘Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ ”                                                    -Genesis 12:1-3
 
What was Simeon’s discovery?
“Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: ‘Now, Master, You can dismiss Your slave in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples – a light for revelation to the nations and glory to Your people Israel.’ ”
                                                                        -Luke 2:28-32
What does this have to do with us?
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ ”
                                                                        -Matthew 28:18-20