Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1-2)
The Lord Jesus said, "Not that the testimony which I receive is from man; but I say this that you may be saved. You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life". (John 5:34,39-40)
Prepare the Way
A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain". (Isaiah 40:3-4)
The Lord Jesus said, "If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true; there is another who bears witness to me, and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. (John 5:31-33,35-36)
THE GLORY OF THE LORD REVEALED
"And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 40:5)
They made a calf in Horeb and adored a molten image; they exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bullock. (Psalm 106:19-20)
The Lord Jesus said, "I do not receive glory from men. But I know that you have not the love of God within you. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:41-42,44)
The Word of God
A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people is grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:6-8)
The Lord Jesus said, "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; it is Moses who accuses you, on whom you set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" (John 5:45-47)
Behold your God!
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" (Isaiah 40:9)
The Lord Jesus said, "The Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen; and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent. (John 5:37-38)
His Reward is with Him
Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
The Lord Jesus said, "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive". (John 5:43)
Reading:
THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
B: THE BOOK OF CONSOLATION
I: THE LORD'S GLORY IN ISRAEL'S LIBERATION
CHAPTER 40 - Promise of Salvation
THE BOOK OF PSALMS
CHAPTER 106 - Israel's Confession of Sin
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN
CHAPTER 5 - Witnesses to Jesus
Published:
December 07, 2010 - 8:30AM
