The message: The Messiah, The Lord’s Prophet, refers primarily to Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate, who revealed Himself to us and dwelt among us. He was appointed and sent by God to bring and proclaim His message of salvation to the world, as the Gospel declares: « For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life » Jn 3:16. Jesus is indeed the Prophet who was foretold to come long ago, according to the promise that the Lord has given to the children of Israel through Moses, saying: « The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet » Deut 18:15. The Lord confirmed this when Jesus manifested His glory and was transfigured before three of his disciples, Peter, John, and James, and declared: « This is my beloved Son; with him I am well pleased; listen to him » Mt 17:5b. The message given through Jesus is Word of God coupled with God’s Holy Spirit, the life giving Spirit (Rom 8:2) that gives life to all who are dead, still remaining in sin and ignorance of God. This is a message of reconciliation with the Living God, that He forgives our sins and breaks down the barriers that separated us from Him (Eph 2:14), so that we may eternally inherit His kingdom (Rom 8:16). Jesus emphasizes this, saying: « The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life » Jn 6:63c. So, it was only with his words that He raised from the dead the son of the widow of Nain, when He said to him: « Young man, I say to you, rise » Lk 7:14b. And it is reported that the dead rose and spoke, and all the people were afraid, and glorified God, saying: « A great prophet has risen among us » Lk 7:16a. Therefore, be reconciled with God, and « Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household » Acts 16:31.
Monday 17: The Messiah – Prophet reveals the glory of God.
« Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory » Jn 2:11a.
Reading 1: 1 Kings 18:36-40. Reading 2: Jn 2:1-11. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 2:8-11.
Introduction: The prophet Isaiah’s declaration about the Messiah was clear when he said: « 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 provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory” Isa 61:1,3. The glory of God? It’s to save sinners!
Tuesday 18: The Messiah – Prophet, a Faithful Messenger.
« The Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing » Jn 5:19a.
Reading 1: Rom 15:14-22. Reading 2: Jn 5:19-23. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 5:19.
Introduction: The Messianic Prophet is the faithful Messenger, because He is the Anointed Messenger of God and there is no deceit or treachery in Him, a Messenger who is really worthy of trust. And that is the reason of the Father’s declaration about Him: « This is my beloved Son; with him I am well pleased; listen to him » Mt 17:5b. This is a declaration that pierces the heaven and which the clouds can not block, a declaration which the Lord also wants to reach and penetrate our hearts, in order to establish our faith, that Christ lives inside us as eternal life.
Wednesday 19: The prophet of God speaks the word of God.
« I will raise up for them a prophet […] I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet […] » Deut 18:18.
Reading 1: Jn 3:28-36. Reading 2: Deut 18:15-19. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Deut 18:18.
Introduction: Because the Spirit of the Lord dwells and works in those whom He has anointed and sent, Jesus said: « I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me » Jn 12:49-50. And so do all whom the Lord had sent, as the Apostle Peter commanded the believers in the church: « Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God » 1 Pet 4:11a.
Thursday 20: The True prophecy.
« Prophecy, in proportion to faith » Rom 12:6b.
Readingy 1: 1 Jn 3:16-20. Reading 2: Rom 12:6-16. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preachingny 2: Rom 12:6.
Introduction: The proclamation of the word of God is inseparable from the works and the signs that accompany it (Mar 16:17). Therefore, a prophet or preacher of God’s word is « mighty in word and mighty in deed. » The Apostle James wrote: « For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead » Jas 2:26. The Apostle John emphasizes this, writing: « Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action » 1 Jn 3:18.
Friday 21: Believe in the Messiah the Prophet.
« Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life » Jn 3:36a.
Reading 1: 2 Chr 20:13-21. Reading 2: Jn 3:31-36. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jn 3:35-36.
Introduction: Scripture declares: « God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? » Num 23:19. God, who has appointed his Messianic Prophet, vouch for Him, saying: « Now I have put my words in your mouth » Jer 1:9. And so, He says: « It shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it » Isa 55:11. Believe the words of the Messiah the Son and you will live!
Saturday 22: God stands up for his prophets.
« They shall know that there has been a prophet among them » Ezek 2:5.
Reading 1: Mt 23:29-39. Reading 2: Ezek 2:1-10. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Ezek 2:4-5.
Introduction: God is with His prophets and justifies the words He entrusts them with and asks them to tell. The Lord fully makes common cause with the prophets whom He sends, confirming what they say and protecting them from potential criticism and opposition from unbelievers. This commitment of God with His anointed ones is to fulfill what the Scriptures say: « So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging – Ps. 51:4 » Rom 3:4.
This pericope is published in Malagasy, French, English and German, and can be found on the Site www.hifi-madanet.org and Facebook “HiFi -english”. Listen to hifiradio.org 24/7: teachings, songs, … © Madanet