WEEK ONE | DAY FIVE | ISAIAH 11:1-10
Each verse of this beloved Advent hymn points to the Good News that God has come and is coming. Fear not, for the promise of God’s presence is fulfilled in Jesus, Emmanuel! What good news to share with a world in need, captivity and confusion. Reading just the first lines of each verse we see Emmanuel as the long-awaited Savior—fulfilling prophecy, lighting the way, a constant presence ministering on behalf of the Father and for the good of His people.
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL … RANSOM CAPTIVE ISRAEL …
O COME, THOU ROD OF JESSE, FREE THINE OWN FROM SATAN’S TYRANNY …
O COME, THOU DAYSPRING … CHEER OUR SPIRITS BY THINE ADVENT HERE …
O COME, THOU KEY OF DAVID … OPEN WIDE OUR HEAV’NLY HOME …
O COME, DESIRE OF NATIONS, BIND ALL PEOPLES IN ONE HEART AND MIND …
REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL SHALL COME TO THEE, O ISRAEL!
For most of us, captivity is a spiritual state. But for many Christians worldwide, it is also a physical reality. Mina was a leader in Iran’s underground church when she was arrested for sharing the Gospel. Upon her release, she fled to a nearby nation where she connected with Pars Theological Centre, a ministry that offers theological education and counseling to Persian followers of Jesus. Although her life had been upended, Mina’s passion for sharing the Gospel never wavered. She eventually connected to a TV station broadcasting Gospel messages into the Farsi-speaking world. Today, she hosts one of their most popular shows, sharing the hope, love and kindness of Christ with other persecuted followers of Jesus.
As you reflect on the descriptions of Jesus in today’s hymn, allow the lyrics to inspire your prayers for the millions of persecuted Christians around the world. How might the pleas in each verse enrich your worshiping community’s rejoicing in all that Emmanuel has done and is doing?
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