August 6, 2025 • 13 mins
Amid defeat, oppression, and captivity, a prophetic chorus of hope was uttered from the darkness. The message to the hurting and broken is this: a hero is coming!
Today's Bible verse is Isaiah 9:6, from the King James Version.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
For a child is born to us, a son is
given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.
His name will be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Isaiah nine six. Dear Heavenly Father, we
(00:23):
stand in awe and wonder at your birth. You are
the wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
The promise foretold so long ago has become our living hope,
our anchor hard joy Lord. In the midst of the festivities,
(00:48):
may we not lose sight of the true reason for
our celebration. Help us to reflect on the miraculous gift
of grace, to share your love and peace with those
around us, and to live in gratitude for the salvation
you offer. May our hearts be filled with the warmth
(01:10):
of your love, our holmes with the joy of your presence.
In the precious and holy name of Jesus, we pray, Amen,
Thank you for praying with me today. Continue your journey
with Jesus Christ on our next episode of Stories of
(01:33):
the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
All humanity had will whispers, The ancient world had distant
memories of Eden, but the image of paradise with God
became fuzzy at times. Yet, even though humanity had strayed
from him, the Lord had not abandoned them. He was
determined to restore the world and rid people of their shame.
The promise of a son who had crushed the head
(02:08):
of the serpent was not void. God was still on
the move. God was about to orchestrate a symphony of
men and women into an anthem of salvation from the
ashes of dysfunction, disobedience, and disarray. God would raise voices
to herald his redemption and remind people that hope is
not dead. The whispers would soon rise into a chorus.
(02:32):
The Savior will come, The Promised Son will be born.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Hello, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast.
Hi'm Ethan from pray dot Com. Before we immerse ourselves
in the narrative of angels, wise men and shepherds will
set the stage. Christ's birth was not a random event.
It was a culmination of hundreds of foreshadowings and prophecy.
(03:01):
Consider the Old Testament books like instruments in an orchestra.
Each has different sounds and tunes, but they all symphonize
into one beautiful song. The Old Testament books are all
instruments contributing to the glorious anthem of Jesus Christ. Our
story today is less of a story and more of
(03:24):
a song. It will weave together old Testament events. It
will weave together Old Testament events and prophecies like notes
in a piece, reminding us that Christ's birth is the
crescendo of God's glorious symphony. Let's immerse ourselves in that
song now. Afterward will mine its depths for rich truths
(03:49):
and Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
The tale began with Adam and Eve in the garden,
when God promised that a son would rise to defeat
even then. Generations later, God chose a man named Abraham
to embark on a journey of faith. God promised Abraham
that his lineage would bless the entire world. I will
make you into a great nation. Kings will come from you.
(04:17):
Your offspring will be as numerous as the stars. God
told him. Through his lineage, the seed was sown for
the coming of the Messiah. Abraham believed in God's goodness,
which was accounted to him as righteousness, but that faith
was tested when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac,
but Isaac was spared by an angel in the final moments.
(04:40):
Isaac's story carried the echo of this promise. He symbolized
the future Christ child, who would willingly give himself for
the world. Generations passed, and the lineage of Abraham carried
on through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes of Israel
that came forth from him. Their descendants became enslaved and
oppressed under the boot of Egypt, but God's promise remained alive.
(05:03):
He delivered them using a boy who escaped an evil
decree to kill children who grew up to be Moses,
God's servant. It was he who prophesied of a greater
leader than him. God will raise up a prophet from the.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Midst of you.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
He declared, you will be like me, only greater. It
is unto him you will obey. For years, God's people
pined after this promised prophet, and years later, on the
grassy plains of Bethlehem, a boy was chosen to carry
that promise. He was the new thread wove into the
tapestry of redemption. David, the shepherd turned king, received God's promise.
(05:43):
His throne God declared, would be established forever, paving the
way for the Messiah, the everlasting King, from the line
of David. In the dusty streets of ancient Bethlehem, as
described by the prophet Micah, a prophecy was whispered on
the wind, if you will become a ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from old from ancient times, Bethlehem, a
(06:07):
small town with humble shepherds, was set to cradle a king.
The prophet Isiah offered his prophetic voice, declaring that a
virgin would conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel, or
God with us. This child would be a wonderful counselor
Mighty God, everlasting Father, and prince of peace. His government
(06:29):
and peace would never end, reigning on David's throne with
justice and righteousness. With words strummed together like a harmonious harp,
Hoseiah illustrated a powerful image of God's love, describing his
people as a child he had taught to walk, held
by the hands healed, and bent down to feed. This
same compassionate paternal image foreshadowed the loving relationship God would
(06:54):
extend to humanity through Christ. Jeremiah added another melody prophesying
the new covenant God would make with his people. He
would put his law in their minds, righted on their hearts,
and forgive their wickedness. This covenant of love, mercy, and
intimacy foretold the error of the Messiah. Yet before this
(07:16):
promised hero would come, a voice would cry out in
the wilderness, a man with the voice of Elijah himself,
declaring the coming kingdom of God. He would make a
way for Messiah to come. His voice would be the
sounding trumpet, awakening God's people to look in awe at
his redemptive plan. The glory of the Lord is being revealed.
(07:37):
Yet amid these joyous declarations, the prophecy of Isaiah also
foretold a suffering servant, one who would be despised, rejected,
and carry our sorrows, one who would be pierced for
our transgressions, a symbol of divine love and sacrifice. Little
could any of these prophets know that this suffering servant
would be a carpenter from Nazareth, hanging from a rugged
(07:59):
cross us. But before we can speak of his death,
we must look towards his birth. The prophecies of old
woven through centuries converged in a humble manger where a
child was born. The echoes of Abraham, Isaiah, Micah, Joseiah, Jeremiah, Malachi,
and Samuel resounded in his birth. The Christmas miracle fulfilled
(08:22):
their words, bringing hope, redemption, and proof that God was
indeed with us.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
This story paints as a breath taking picture of the
prophecies foretold in the Old Testament, culminating in the birth
of Christ. This adaptation is a vivid reminder that God's
plans are intricate, detailed, and perfect in their timing. Let's
now explore the three main themes that further deepen our
(08:51):
understanding of this beautiful story. First, we must understand that
Christ's birth was not an accident. The birth of Jesus
was no random event. It was foreseen and foretold through
various hints spread across the Old Testament. Genesis chapter three,
verse fifteen was God's first hint. The promise to Eve
(09:16):
that her offspring would crush the serpent's head pointed to
Jesus's work on the cross. Isaiah chapter seven, verse fourteen
prophesied a virgin birth, signaling something divine and unprecedented. Micah
chapter five, verse two points to Bethlehem as the birthplace
of a ruler descended from David. Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah
(09:41):
chapter thirty one spoke of a new covenant and God's
eternal plan to establish a closer relationship with his people.
These examples, along with others from Abraham, Moses, and David,
show the intentional unfolding of God's plan of salvation, intricately
(10:02):
woven through centuries. The New Testament Gospel finds its roots, context,
and richness in the Old Testament stories and prophecies. Understanding
the fullness of God's love and the enormity of Christ's
sacrifice requires a deep appreciation for the narrative unfolding across
(10:23):
the Bible. The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic
writings build the foundation for understanding our need for redemption.
The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic writings build
the foundation for understanding our need for redemption. In our
(10:43):
first season of Stories of the Messiah, we showcased how
different characters foreshadowed Christ, from Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac
to the passover lamb These Old Testament events symbolize Christ's
ultimates sacrifice the Gospel is not an isolated story, but
(11:05):
part of a grand narrative that spans the entire Bible.
This perspective illuminates the richness and complexity of God's love
and salvation. Christmas is not just a moment in time,
but a climax in a grand divine symphony that played
(11:25):
out over thousands of years. This story underscores several essential
lessons for us today. God's promises given to Adam, Abraham, David,
and through the Prophets were all fulfilled in Jesus. He
keeps his word even across generations. While humanity often grows impatient,
(11:49):
God's timing is perfect. The waiting led to the perfect
moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating that his plans, though they
may see slow, turn out beautifully in the end, turn
out beautiful in the end. The birth of Christ is
a profound event, not merely for what happened in that manger,
(12:12):
but for everything that led to it. From whispers in
the garden of Eden to a growing chorus across centuries,
the Old Testament prophecies build a majestic symphony culminating in
Christ's birth. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of
our Savior. Let's remember Christ's birth was carefully planned, foretold,
(12:36):
and executed by a loving God. Let's remember that the
Gospel's full beauty shines through understanding the entire biblical narrative.
And finally, let's learn to rely on God's timing. Though
sometimes slow by our standards, God's promises always lead to
(12:57):
a beautiful culmination. Reflecting on these truths can infuse our
Christmas celebrations with a deeper sense of awe, gratitude, and joy.
As we hear the familiar Christmas carols and share in
the festivities, may we also hear the ancient whispers of
God's love and redemption, now sung by a joyful chorus
(13:22):
declaring the Savior is born. In our next episode, we'll
witness the birth of a special child. Many would consider
him to be a God. I know what you might
be thinking, but we aren't quite ready to meet Jesus. First,
we'll meet a boy by the name of Octavian history
(13:43):
knows him by a different name, Caesar Augustus
For a child is born to us, a son is
given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders.
His name will be called Wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. Isaiah nine six. Dear Heavenly Father, we
(00:23):
stand in awe and wonder at your birth. You are
the wonderful counselor Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
The promise foretold so long ago has become our living hope,
our anchor hard joy Lord. In the midst of the festivities,
(00:48):
may we not lose sight of the true reason for
our celebration. Help us to reflect on the miraculous gift
of grace, to share your love and peace with those
around us, and to live in gratitude for the salvation
you offer. May our hearts be filled with the warmth
(01:10):
of your love, our holmes with the joy of your presence.
In the precious and holy name of Jesus, we pray, Amen,
Thank you for praying with me today. Continue your journey
with Jesus Christ on our next episode of Stories of
(01:33):
the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
All humanity had will whispers, The ancient world had distant
memories of Eden, but the image of paradise with God
became fuzzy at times. Yet, even though humanity had strayed
from him, the Lord had not abandoned them. He was
determined to restore the world and rid people of their shame.
The promise of a son who had crushed the head
(02:08):
of the serpent was not void. God was still on
the move. God was about to orchestrate a symphony of
men and women into an anthem of salvation from the
ashes of dysfunction, disobedience, and disarray. God would raise voices
to herald his redemption and remind people that hope is
not dead. The whispers would soon rise into a chorus.
(02:32):
The Savior will come, The Promised Son will be born.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Hello, and welcome to another Christmas episode of the Jesus Podcast.
Hi'm Ethan from pray dot Com. Before we immerse ourselves
in the narrative of angels, wise men and shepherds will
set the stage. Christ's birth was not a random event.
It was a culmination of hundreds of foreshadowings and prophecy.
(03:01):
Consider the Old Testament books like instruments in an orchestra.
Each has different sounds and tunes, but they all symphonize
into one beautiful song. The Old Testament books are all
instruments contributing to the glorious anthem of Jesus Christ. Our
story today is less of a story and more of
(03:24):
a song. It will weave together old Testament events. It
will weave together Old Testament events and prophecies like notes
in a piece, reminding us that Christ's birth is the
crescendo of God's glorious symphony. Let's immerse ourselves in that
song now. Afterward will mine its depths for rich truths
(03:49):
and Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
The tale began with Adam and Eve in the garden,
when God promised that a son would rise to defeat
even then. Generations later, God chose a man named Abraham
to embark on a journey of faith. God promised Abraham
that his lineage would bless the entire world. I will
make you into a great nation. Kings will come from you.
(04:17):
Your offspring will be as numerous as the stars. God
told him. Through his lineage, the seed was sown for
the coming of the Messiah. Abraham believed in God's goodness,
which was accounted to him as righteousness, but that faith
was tested when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac,
but Isaac was spared by an angel in the final moments.
(04:40):
Isaac's story carried the echo of this promise. He symbolized
the future Christ child, who would willingly give himself for
the world. Generations passed, and the lineage of Abraham carried
on through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes of Israel
that came forth from him. Their descendants became enslaved and
oppressed under the boot of Egypt, but God's promise remained alive.
(05:03):
He delivered them using a boy who escaped an evil
decree to kill children who grew up to be Moses,
God's servant. It was he who prophesied of a greater
leader than him. God will raise up a prophet from the.
Speaker 3 (05:16):
Midst of you.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
He declared, you will be like me, only greater. It
is unto him you will obey. For years, God's people
pined after this promised prophet, and years later, on the
grassy plains of Bethlehem, a boy was chosen to carry
that promise. He was the new thread wove into the
tapestry of redemption. David, the shepherd turned king, received God's promise.
(05:43):
His throne God declared, would be established forever, paving the
way for the Messiah, the everlasting King, from the line
of David. In the dusty streets of ancient Bethlehem, as
described by the prophet Micah, a prophecy was whispered on
the wind, if you will become a ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from old from ancient times, Bethlehem, a
(06:07):
small town with humble shepherds, was set to cradle a king.
The prophet Isiah offered his prophetic voice, declaring that a
virgin would conceive and bear a son named Emmanuel, or
God with us. This child would be a wonderful counselor
Mighty God, everlasting Father, and prince of peace. His government
(06:29):
and peace would never end, reigning on David's throne with
justice and righteousness. With words strummed together like a harmonious harp,
Hoseiah illustrated a powerful image of God's love, describing his
people as a child he had taught to walk, held
by the hands healed, and bent down to feed. This
same compassionate paternal image foreshadowed the loving relationship God would
(06:54):
extend to humanity through Christ. Jeremiah added another melody prophesying
the new covenant God would make with his people. He
would put his law in their minds, righted on their hearts,
and forgive their wickedness. This covenant of love, mercy, and
intimacy foretold the error of the Messiah. Yet before this
(07:16):
promised hero would come, a voice would cry out in
the wilderness, a man with the voice of Elijah himself,
declaring the coming kingdom of God. He would make a
way for Messiah to come. His voice would be the
sounding trumpet, awakening God's people to look in awe at
his redemptive plan. The glory of the Lord is being revealed.
(07:37):
Yet amid these joyous declarations, the prophecy of Isaiah also
foretold a suffering servant, one who would be despised, rejected,
and carry our sorrows, one who would be pierced for
our transgressions, a symbol of divine love and sacrifice. Little
could any of these prophets know that this suffering servant
would be a carpenter from Nazareth, hanging from a rugged
(07:59):
cross us. But before we can speak of his death,
we must look towards his birth. The prophecies of old
woven through centuries converged in a humble manger where a
child was born. The echoes of Abraham, Isaiah, Micah, Joseiah, Jeremiah, Malachi,
and Samuel resounded in his birth. The Christmas miracle fulfilled
(08:22):
their words, bringing hope, redemption, and proof that God was
indeed with us.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
This story paints as a breath taking picture of the
prophecies foretold in the Old Testament, culminating in the birth
of Christ. This adaptation is a vivid reminder that God's
plans are intricate, detailed, and perfect in their timing. Let's
now explore the three main themes that further deepen our
(08:51):
understanding of this beautiful story. First, we must understand that
Christ's birth was not an accident. The birth of Jesus
was no random event. It was foreseen and foretold through
various hints spread across the Old Testament. Genesis chapter three,
verse fifteen was God's first hint. The promise to Eve
(09:16):
that her offspring would crush the serpent's head pointed to
Jesus's work on the cross. Isaiah chapter seven, verse fourteen
prophesied a virgin birth, signaling something divine and unprecedented. Micah
chapter five, verse two points to Bethlehem as the birthplace
of a ruler descended from David. Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah
(09:41):
chapter thirty one spoke of a new covenant and God's
eternal plan to establish a closer relationship with his people.
These examples, along with others from Abraham, Moses, and David,
show the intentional unfolding of God's plan of salvation, intricately
(10:02):
woven through centuries. The New Testament Gospel finds its roots, context,
and richness in the Old Testament stories and prophecies. Understanding
the fullness of God's love and the enormity of Christ's
sacrifice requires a deep appreciation for the narrative unfolding across
(10:23):
the Bible. The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic
writings build the foundation for understanding our need for redemption.
The commandments given to Moses and the prophetic writings build
the foundation for understanding our need for redemption. In our
(10:43):
first season of Stories of the Messiah, we showcased how
different characters foreshadowed Christ, from Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac
to the passover lamb These Old Testament events symbolize Christ's
ultimates sacrifice the Gospel is not an isolated story, but
(11:05):
part of a grand narrative that spans the entire Bible.
This perspective illuminates the richness and complexity of God's love
and salvation. Christmas is not just a moment in time,
but a climax in a grand divine symphony that played
(11:25):
out over thousands of years. This story underscores several essential
lessons for us today. God's promises given to Adam, Abraham, David,
and through the Prophets were all fulfilled in Jesus. He
keeps his word even across generations. While humanity often grows impatient,
(11:49):
God's timing is perfect. The waiting led to the perfect
moment for Christ's birth, demonstrating that his plans, though they
may see slow, turn out beautifully in the end, turn
out beautiful in the end. The birth of Christ is
a profound event, not merely for what happened in that manger,
(12:12):
but for everything that led to it. From whispers in
the garden of Eden to a growing chorus across centuries,
the Old Testament prophecies build a majestic symphony culminating in
Christ's birth. This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of
our Savior. Let's remember Christ's birth was carefully planned, foretold,
(12:36):
and executed by a loving God. Let's remember that the
Gospel's full beauty shines through understanding the entire biblical narrative.
And finally, let's learn to rely on God's timing. Though
sometimes slow by our standards, God's promises always lead to
(12:57):
a beautiful culmination. Reflecting on these truths can infuse our
Christmas celebrations with a deeper sense of awe, gratitude, and joy.
As we hear the familiar Christmas carols and share in
the festivities, may we also hear the ancient whispers of
God's love and redemption, now sung by a joyful chorus
(13:22):
declaring the Savior is born. In our next episode, we'll
witness the birth of a special child. Many would consider
him to be a God. I know what you might
be thinking, but we aren't quite ready to meet Jesus. First,
we'll meet a boy by the name of Octavian history
(13:43):
knows him by a different name, Caesar Augustus
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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