The Promised Seed

God declared the coming of Jesus immediately after the Fall.

The seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Genesis 3:15

This prophecy provided hope amidst condemnation.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.John 3:16-17

The promised seed would come through a specific lineage.

God established a covenant with Abraham to redeem the world.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Genesis 12:1-3

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.Genesis 22:18

The Messiah would be born of the tribe of Judah and the house of David.

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.2 Samuel 7:12-16

Jesus’ birth fulfilled God’s promise at just the right time.

Jesus was born of a virgin, under the law.

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,Galatians 4:4

His birth was the culmination of centuries of anticipation.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.Matthew 1:21

The promised seed came to redeem humanity and grant adoption to non-Jews.

Jesus redeemed us from our sins.

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.Galatians 4:5

Through Him, we become children of God.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:John 1:12

God always keeps His promises.

Christmas is a time to celebrate our identity as adopted children of God.

Just as those who anticipated His arrival, we should anticipate His return.

Share with someone this week what Christmas is all about.