Isaiah 11:1-9

Greed and Generosity

The two are very close! Both involve extravagant spending, but the focus is different: greed focusses on oneself, while generosity focusses on others.

At Christmas we experience the greatest act of generosity. The very definition of Messiah is a leader that saves. Does Jesus fit that description?

God's extravagant preparation for His Messiah

God's preparation for Jesus advent can be seen in Isaiah 11, where he tells us so much about Jesus' birth, life, and death throughout the book. Isaiah 11 talks aboit His reign. It is clear that this plan has been in motion for eternity, every little detail is known and thought out.

The angels also herald the Messiah. This baby matters and so the angel's message has huge significance. Similarly God uses a star to announce to the whole of creation the arrival of His son. This is quite extravagant preparation!

God's extravagant proclamation

God made sure that Jesus' birth was not ignored! The message to the shepherds from the angels is underlined that this is from God! A heavenly host is hard to ignore.

The message they brought was good; it was great! Eternal life in the place of eternal death. When we will become perfect and creation will be made whole and holy again.

Jesus the Messiah is not just a Messiah for a particular group. He is the Saviour of the World. The two groups that God chose to witness the birth of the Messiah speak to this. The Wise Men: Rich, aristocratic, gentile. The Shepherds: Poor, rejected, jews.

The nature of the God who has sent His Messiah is that He loves all His creation. And He accepts all those who love Him.