Higher Name: Anticipating Advent Series, by Todd Smith, Guest Contributor
This Advent, dive deeper into the name that surpasses all others – Jesus. Todd Smith of SELAH's new 7-day devotional, 'Higher Name,' unpacks the profound significance of Christ's birth and the hope it ignites. Explore how Old Testament prophecies foretold His coming, while the Messianic miracles of the Gospels proved His identity. Discover anew why we eagerly anticipate the return of our Savior, whose name is exalted above all.
A trillion has twelve zeros. But a quintillion? That's a million times more – eighteen zeros! 1,000,000,000,000,000,000. These aren't just big numbers; they represent the astronomical odds against anyone accidentally fulfilling hundreds of ancient prophecies about the Messiah.
As we prepare in anticipation for the Advent of Christ, can we be confident that the Bible is true and believe that Jesus is the Messiah beyond reasonable doubt? The evidence is overwhelming - there were between 200 and 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah's first coming, and Jesus fulfilled every single one, all centuries before these events occurred.
Jesus was born of a virgin, just as Isaiah foretold (Isaiah 7:14). He was born in Bethlehem, as Micah predicted (Micah 5:2). He had a ministry in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2), performed healings and miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6), rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13), and was crucified with pierced hands and feet (Psalm 22) - with Psalm 22 being written about 700 years before Rome perfected the art of crucifixion. He also rose from the dead (Psalm 16:10), just as the Scriptures foretold.
The sheer number of fulfilled prophecies is staggering. To put it in perspective I asked ChatGPT to create this analogy. I call it the One In a Quintillion Grains of Sand Challenge: Imagine the entire earth covered in grains of sand, up to 10 feet deep. Now picture each grain as a single marker in a vast "lottery," where only one grain is specially marked. If you were blindfolded and had one chance to pick up the correct grain, the odds would be astronomically low - far lower than a single person fulfilling just a handful of these Messianic prophecies, let alone hundreds.
We are not walking into Advent blindly. We are preparing for the season with great anticipation because we are assured, based on overwhelming biblical evidence, that Jesus is the promised Messiah. He is the Christ, whose name is higher than all names, the Anointed One who has come to redeem and restore all of creation. As we reflect on His first coming this Advent, may our hearts be filled with wonder, gratitude, and eager expectation for His return."
Questions for discussion:
1. What amazes you more - the precise details of the prophecies or the incredible odds of fulfilling them all?
2. How does knowing these prophecies were written centuries before Jesus strengthen your anticipation of His return?
Verses:
Isaiah 53; Micah 5:2; Psalm 22 Psalm 110:1Isaiah 7:14, 9:1-2, 35:5-6, 53:1-12, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 11:12-13, Psalm 22, Psalm 16:10
About the Author
Todd Smith is a founding member of the multi-platinum selling Gospel group Selah, which has garnered over 4 million album sales, 1 billion streams, 12 Dove Awards, and 8 number-one singles. Growing up as a missionary kid in Congo, Africa from ages 5-13 shaped his global perspective before he returned to the States, where he went on to play Division 1 soccer at Belmont University while earning a business degree. He later completed his Religious Education degree at William Tyndale College. Beyond his work with Selah, Todd is an accomplished songwriter who co-wrote 9 of the 11 songs on the group's latest album "Higher Name." He has released two solo albums and his latest EP "Leave It To Love." Currently based in Nashville with his wife Angie and four daughters, Todd is expanding his creative reach through writing and speaking.
Copyright 2024, Todd Smith All rights reserved
No portion of this content can be copied, electronically stored, or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
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