« The Messiah comes »
The Messiah, The Almighty God’s Anointed, has come to bring salvation upon earth. Although His coming had been proclaimed since a very long time, it was fulfilled according to the angel Gabriel’s word to Mary the mother of Jesus: « For no word from God will ever fail » (Lk 1:37). Therefore, now is the time for Jesus to reveal Himself as the Messiah, which is in accordance with the word He said to the two disciples who were walking to Emmaus: “everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled » Lk 24:44b. Jesus was appointed to a threefold office in the Holy Scripture, namely: 1/ To be the Great Prophet: Just as the Lord’s Almighty said through Moses: « I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet » Deo 18:18a-b, so the crowd was afraid when they saw Jesus raising from the dead the son of the widow at Nain; therefore, they praised God, saying, « A great prophet has risen among us! » Lk 7:16b. 2/ To be High Priest: Just as it is said in the Psalms: « You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek » Ps 110:4, so the epistle for the Hebrews says: « And having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek » Heb 5:9-10. 3/ To be King: So sounds the promise to the descendants of David the ancestor of Jesus: « I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever » 2 Sam 7:13b. Besides, it is written in the last book of the Bible: « The Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings » Rev 17:14a. These three statuses are summed up in His being Lord and Savior. Therefore when Jesus was sent to do His work, He said: « For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost » Lk 19:10. The Messiah has actually come, so John said: « And the word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory » Jn 1:14a.
Monday, 28th: The Messiah has come, full of the Lord’s Spirit.
« The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him […] » Isa 11:2a.
Reading 1: Lk 2:14-21. Reading 2: Isa 11:1-5. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 11:2.
Introduction: The Messiah came as a “messenger bringing salvation to the world”. Thus, He was fully clothed with the Spirit of God, “the righteous and faithful Spirit” Is.11:5. He said in this respect: « The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners » Isa 61:2.
Tuesday, 29th: The Messiah comes to establish God’s kingdom.
« Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood » 1 Pet 2:5a.
Reading 1: Rev 1:4-6. Reading 2: 1 Pet 2:4-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 1 Pet 2:4-5.
Introduction: The establishment of God’s kingdom on earth is achieved through His elect, those who have accepted and received Him. In fact, they are the ones who inherit His kingdom and make common cause with Him in His work. Indeed, it is written: « And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ » Rom 8:17a; Jesus declares: « Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do » Jn 14:12a.
Wednesday, 30th: The Messiah has come to redeem His people.
« Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them » Lk 1:68.
Reading 1: Eph 1:1-7. Reading 2: Lk 1:68-75. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 1:68.
Introduction: The meaning of the term “redemption” is deep: the redemption of sinners enslaved to sin and to the devil, and the fact of bringing them back God, their Savior, to be reconciled again with Him. This is achieved through the Messiah who suffered to the point of death in order to raise up those who are dead and to clothe them again with the glory of God. For « Those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified » Rom 8:30.
Thursday, 31st: The Messiah comes: grace for humankind.
« Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters » Isa 55:1a.
Reading 1: Jn 6:28-35. Reading 2: Isa 55:1-9. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Isa 55:1.
Introduction: The Messiah has come to call all men to receive God’s grace. This is a gift from God that is to be received by faith (Eph 2:8). For John said: « From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace » Jn 1:16. David knew this river of grace, so he sang: « Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long » Ps 23:6.
Friday, 01st: HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021! God’s Messiah: Rock of salvation.
« For there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved » Acts 4:12.
Reading 1: Reading 2: Act 4:8-12. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Act 4:12.
Introduction: Because people do not know the true Savior, they are enticed to follow those who are not God, even if they claim to be the Christ (Mt 24:23). As Isaiah was a witness of His truth, He prophesied in these terms: « For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders » Isa 9:6a. Blessed are the people of Samariah who said about Him: « And we know that this is truly the Savior of the world » Jn 4:42b. And the Father Himself declared: « This is my Son; listen to him! » Mt 17:5b.
Saturday, 02nd: The Messiah gives the sinner a second chance in order to save him.
« Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it » Lk 13:8.
Reading 1: Isa 55:6-8. Reading 2: Lk 13:6-9. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 13:8-9.
Introduction: We have reached the new year 2021 because of God’s grace, that is, His mercy. In fact, “He does not want the wicked to perish, but rather that they turn from their evil ways so that they may live” (Ezek 33:11). Jesus says: « He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit » Jn 15:2a. Therefore, « Bear fruit worthy of repentance » Mt 3:8.
This pericope is available in Malagasy, French, English and German, and can be found on the site www.hifi-madanet.org and Facebook “Hi & Fi Français”. Listen to hifiradio.org 24 hours / 7 days: teachings, evangelical songs, … © Madanet