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Anticipated Present Realities of Jesus
November 18 – December 30 2012, Week Three of Seven
“Jesus, the Sovereign Shepherd-Lord”
Isaiah 40:1-11(40:9-11), Dec 2 2012
Focus for Week Three
In Isaiah 40, the prophet celebrates the present and future rule of God. His rule is that of
“the sovereign Lord” (40:10); his rule is like a “shepherd that tends his flock” (40:11). No
wonder that people are told to say, “Here is your God!” (40:9). What a contrast this God is
to the gods the people followed and to the nations that God’s people feared more than they
feared God. And then to think that Jesus perfectly displayed and NOW displays this
“sovereign shepherd-rule” of God is absolutely wonderful. Truly, in Jesus, we see, “HERE
IS OUR GOD!”
Summary of “Time of Reflection” and Message
1. Time of Reflection: Here is Our God!!!
The “Spirit of Christ” in the prophets (see I Peter 1:11) spoke of anticipated
realities of Christ that would be fulfilled in his first coming, his present rule, and
fully in his second coming
Some struggle with what God is like; many struggle to see how God is present.
This was true in the setting where Isaiah speaks. With this in mind, what comfort
Isaiah offers when he anticipates that Jesus is one about whom people can now
say, “Here is your God.”
Jesus himself said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Wow, what a present reality of Jesus we can experience now.
2. Summary of Message
Introduction: Looking at the prophecies that anticipate present realities of Jesus
is like looking at a clear night sky full of stars; while we are have difficulty trying
to focus on one star in the messages, this is difficult because each star is
surrounded by so many other prophecies that point to Jesus. It is hard to separate
out one star from the rest; the stars together point to realities about Jesus that are
truly holy and awesome and worthy of our praise.
From Isaiah 40:9-11, what do we see of Jesus then (i.e. first coming), now (i.e.
present rule), and “even more then” (i.e. second coming)?
a. Our God is here; we see his glory, not hidden, “all together” (see Isaiah 40:5,
which describes his presence).
b. The Sovereign (i.e. absolute) Lord; all authority in heaven and on earth
belongs to him such that NOTHING is beyond his rule.
c. He came, is present, and is coming again with power.
d. He rules with a mighty arm, which points to his authority over kings and
nations.
