“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isa 11:2).
It’s remarkable that centuries before His first advent, Isaiah describes the character of the Messiah. We know for certain that this prophecy refers to Jesus firstly because He accepts the appellation Son of David, equivalent to the Branch of Jesse (Mat 1:1; 9:27). We also know that the prophecy refers to Jesus because He claims the parallel passage (Isa 61:1) as recorded in Luke 4:21, ” And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” The distinguishing feature of this coming King’s character wasn’t His military prowess or political genius. Instead it was the fact that the Holy Spirit rested upon His life with a sevenfold anointing.
The Gospels testify that Jesus was full of the Spirit without measure (Jo 3:34). If Jesus’ first advent fulfilled ancient prophecy accurately, surely so shall His second advent! Therefore every Christmas is a prophetic rehearsal and warning.
Pastor Josh