Category Archives: Messiah

The Messianic Age Is Here!

Posted on by under eschatology, Isaiah, Israel, Jesus, last days, last things, Messiah

We are currently working our way through a short summer series at Cornerstone called, ’55 for 5′. We are looking at Isaiah 55 over 5 Sundays. I have been pretty stirred about the series, as I love Isaiah and this particular chapter follows some direction of the Lord given to us a year ago from Isaiah 54:1-3.

Last week, I looked at vs1-3a. From it, I highlighted 3 points:

  • Vs1 – the invitation – Come
  • Vs2 – the question – Why?
  • Vs3a – the call – Listen

I also spent quite some time considering the imagery of water, wine, milk and bread (also giving out each of the items to 4 celebrated winners in our church!).

On Sunday, I’m moving on to look at vs3b-5. Continue reading →

Jesus Fulfilling Israel’s Story

Posted on by under Bible, books, Christ, Christ as Israel, Israel, Jesus, Messiah, quotes, Scripture

I just finished up N.T. Wright’s newest work, God and the Authority of Scripture: How to Read the Bible Today. I hope to soon post a book review, giving some overall thoughts on the book.

But, for now, I wanted to share one particular quote that I have really appreciated in the book, which makes two major points. The passage goes like this:

He [Jesus] was, in himself, the “true Israel,” formed by scripture, bringing the Kingdom to birth. When he spoke of the scripture needing to be fulfilled (e.g., Mark 14:49), he was not simply envisaging himself doing a few scattered and random acts which corresponded to various distant and detached prophetic sayings; he was thinking of the entire storyline at last coming to fruition, and of an entire world of hints and shadows now coming to plain statement and full light. This, I take it, is the deep meaning of sayings like Matthew 5:17-18, where Jesus insists that he has come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. (p42)

There are two points to note from these words above: Continue reading →