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Sunday, December 20, 2009

David -----> Jesus


David was a type, or foreshadowing of Jesus. The King of Israel as a two dimensional shadow of the three dimensional King of Kings. Like the guy in "Fu man chu's China Buffet" offering Princess Chicken on a toothpick as a sample of the entree to come, so David is offered as a sampling of the King to come. Check out the parallels:

David came from humble origins. He was just a shepherd boy born in a nowhereville town called Bethlehem.
Jesus came from humble origins. He was just a carpenter boy born in a nowhereville town called Bethlehem.

David was a shepherd, tending his sheep and keeping them safe from predators.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep.

David mystified his family by his anointing, effectiveness and power.
Jesus mystified his family by his remarkable teaching, claims, and resurrection.

David stared death in the face, in the form of a giant Philistine,
Jesus stared death in the face, in the form of a roman execution,
wearing nothing but shepherds clothes,
wearing nothing but a loin cloth,
carrying only a stick and stones.
carrying only two sticks in the form of a cross.

David spoke and led with authority, amazing people as a warrior, writer and musician.
Jesus spoke and led with authority, amazing people as a teacher, healer, and miracle worker.

David spent 10 years in the wilderness.
Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness.
He was running from Saul,
He was tempted by Satan,
protected by God,
protected by God
and writing God’s word.
and quoting God’s word.

David ruled a mighty political kingdom, expanding Israel’s territory during his 40 year reign.
Jesus rules a mighty spiritual kingdom expanding God’s territory during his eternal reign.

David had his 30 followers, mighty men of strength who fought for him.
Jesus had his 12 disciples, common men used by God to change the world.

David was the anointed one, chosen to be the King of Israel.
Jesus was the anointed one, chosen to be the King of…everything.

David was called the King of the Jews a title that he owned with pride
Jesus was called the King of the Jews, a title that hung over His head on the cross.

David was the savior of Israel, keeping the country free from foreign threats.
Jesus is the savior of the world, giving all men freedom from sin.

The prophet Nathan told David his name would be great, and many knees would bow to him.
At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

David was promised that one of his descendants would rule on his throne forever!
Jesus is the descendant who rules on his throne forever!

David cried out to the Father from the caves, asking “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus cried out to the Father from the cross, asking “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

David predicted “You will not let your holy one see decay.”
Jesus fulfilled that prediction by dying, and not decaying.

David, while being only human was used mightily by God to change Israel.
Jesus, while divine, became a human and was used mightily by God to change…everything.

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posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 7:49 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Zebulun Prophecy


In Isaiah 9 (written 600B.C.), there is that famous prophecy about the coming messiah. It is so famous that Handel quoted it in his masterpiece "Messiah". It is that funky tune that keeps on rolling through your head throughout the Christmas season "And his name shall be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace."

But have you ever read the rest of Isaiah 9? The prophecies are amazing throughout the text. Consider the little known verse 1.

"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress in the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea along the Jordan ~ The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned..."

So, where in the world are the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali? They are Northern Israel, along the shores of the sea of Galilee and a bit to the West.

Where was Jesus, the 'great light', from? Northern Israel, along the shores of the sea of Galilee and a bit to the West. Nazareth, Jesus' hometown was in the land of Zebulun. Capernaum, Jesus' ministry headquarters was in the area of Naphtali. The sea of Galilee is where Peter was fishing when he caught the miraculous catch. The shores of Galilee was where the Sermon on the Mount was preached. The Sea of Galilee is the water Jesus walked on.

Once again, I stand in awe of the magnificence of Scripture. There is no way Isaiah could have known this 600 years before Jesus. God was using Isaiah to weave together his master plan for hundreds of years before the time of Christ. Wow.

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posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 6:01 AM 0 Comments