OCU C)SP D Week 02 Devotion
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Derrick Adams.
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- March 28, 2022 at 1:20 pm #65953
Jessica Jagerson
KeymasterMATTHEW 2 – PROPHESIED MESSIAH
“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, “In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel”. Matthew 2:4-6
One of the unique facts that makes Christ different from every other God in the world is that Jesus was prophesied prior to His birth. In fact, the Bible discloses much of the Messiahs resume in the Old Testament text. This was confirmed when historical manuscripts dated back thousands of years before Jesus lived, were found in the caves of Kumrah in the late 1940s.
One of these amazing messianic prophecies is found in the book of Micah, where it reveals that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Think of the statistical chances of such a prophesy being fulfilled…
Out of the 7 Continents, the prophecy speaks of Asia.
Out of all the states in Asia, the prophecy speaks of Canaan.
And out of all of the provinces found in Canaan, Micah points to the city of Judea-Bethlehem (a tiny remote little village) where the Messiah would eventually be born.
The articulation of this prophecy isn’t an isolated event. The Bible gives a plethora of more predictions that include the Messiah’s death, His lineage, and the Israeli tribe where He would come from. No wonder Jesus was able to say boldly, “Moses and the prophets, wrote of me”…
CHALLENGE
Although there have been many detractors of Jesus who have attempted to discredit the Bible, these messianic prophecies were written hundreds, even in some cases, thousands of years before Christ was ever born, are undeniable. Are you persuaded? Do you believe it? God is speaking, will you listen? I pray that you do.
- October 8, 2025 at 4:52 pm #109371
Carlos Martes
ParticipantI strongly believe that the bible is true and that it was God breathed as stated in 2 Timothy. It explains that the Bible was written by those who were moved by the Holy Spirit, God utilizing them to write their recordings of His teachings. I can understand as to why people would discredit it due to it being written by man, but God does not break his promises, especially when he means that the bible is truth Itself. God constantly revealed himself to man throughout the old testament to the New testament. HE authored it, history confirmed it, prophecy’s were fulfilled, and even Jesus Himself declared it.
- October 11, 2025 at 2:02 pm #109427
Teisha Nolen
ParticipantIn my opinion, the precision of prophecy is one of the most compelling pieces of evidence of Christ’s divinity. As was pointed out in the devotional text, the prophecy in Micah didn’t just generalize- it pinpointed the tiny town of Bethlehem. The level of specificity, written centuries before Jesus’s birth, is irrefutable. Again, as stated in the devotional text, this level of specificity is seen countless other times in biblical text. The bible is the inspired Word of God, and if he was so intentional about the arrival of Christ, how intentional must He be in the lives of his church? The same God who was speaking centuries before the birth of Christ, still speaks today with the same specificity, if we are willing to listen.
- October 11, 2025 at 6:39 pm #109432
Misty Stewart
ParticipantThe prophecy in Matthew 2:4–6 is a powerful reminder that Jesus’ arrival was not random or accidental it was divinely orchestrated and foretold with astonishing precision. Out of all the places on earth, He chose a humble village to welcome the King of Kings.
This isn’t just about geography, it’s about identity. Jesus didn’t emerge from obscurity; He stepped into history with a legacy already written. His lineage, His mission, even the manner of His death were all laid out in Scripture long before His birth. That level of prophetic detail is not only statistically improbable it’s spiritually undeniable.
So, when we’re asked, “Are you persuaded?” it’s more than a question of belief it’s a question of response. If God went to such lengths to announce His Son, how will we respond to that invitation? Will we dismiss it as coincidence, or will we lean in and listen?
I believe these prophecies are not just evidence they’re an invitation. They call us to trust that God’s promises are true, that His Word is reliable, and that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be the long-awaited Messiah. If He fulfilled those promises, we can trust Him to fulfill the ones He’s made to us today. - October 12, 2025 at 1:32 pm #109434
Isabelle Tubbs
ParticipantIt is amazing the Bible is filled with so many references to itself and to events that are recorded in the Bible. The Bible is such an intricate book that has so many details, and yet it is also applicable to the reader’s life. These connections are especially evident with Jesus. The reference about Jesus that is stated to Eve, the use of sacrifices for atonement, and even what is said through the prophets are just some instances of prophecy concerning Jesus. There really is not a book so impactful like the Bible because we can learn about the Creator of the world. In doing so, we know more about His character, and we can have a relationship with Him. This is truly amazing.
- October 12, 2025 at 8:57 pm #109447
Mjulius513
ParticipantThe prophecy about Jesus being in Bethlehem shows that God keeps His promises and His Word is true. Long before Jesus was born, prophets wrote about His coming, proving that we can trust the Bible. Just like the wise men followed prophecy to find the newborn King, we should follow God’s Word and honor His Sabbath as a sign of our faith and obedience. The Sabbath reminds us that God is our Creator and Redeemer, the One who made the world and saves His people. Jesus’ birth in the exact place predicted shows God’s perfect timing and plan. The same faithful God who sent Jesus once will send Him again, just as He promised. Each Sabbath is a time to rest, worship, and remember that God always keeps His word. We should listen to His voice, live by His truth, and be ready for Christ’s return. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
- October 12, 2025 at 9:04 pm #109450
Addison West
ParticipantI truly believe the prophecies about Jesus are real and powerful. Reading Matthew 2 and seeing how the prophecy in Micah was fulfilled makes my faith even stronger. It amazes me that God chose such a small, humble place like Bethlehem for the birth of the Messiah, just as the prophet said. The fact that these words were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born and then came true exactly as promised shows me that God’s Word is trustworthy and true.
When I think about the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they prove that these prophecies existed long before Christ’s birth, it gives me confidence that the Bible isn’t just a story, it’s history and truth. I am persuaded because there’s no way all of those details could line up by chance. I believe that God was showing His power and plan from the very beginning.
God is definitely speaking through His Word, and I want to listen. I pray to have an open heart and strong faith to follow what He says. These fulfilled prophecies remind me that God always keeps His promises, and that Jesus truly is the Messiah sent to save us.
- October 13, 2025 at 2:25 am #109454
Trae Johnson
ParticipantReading Matthew 2 and the prophecies of Christ, I am impressed at how specific and detailed the Bible is about the coming of Jesus. The prophecy in Micah about the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem speaks deeply to me, not as history, but as a personal reminder of God’s plan and promise. Thinking about how this little, far off village was specifically chosen from all the places in the world makes me realize the consideration and forethought that God put into His actions. It blows my mind that these prophecies were written hundreds if not thousands of years prior to Jesus’ birth, but every fact was accounted for. This has made me reflect on the reliability of Scripture in a way that goes beyond just reading—it feels like God is speaking directly into history and into my life.
Beyond His birthplace, I’ve also been struck by the many other messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, from His lineage to the manner of His death. To watch how each of them fit into the life of Jesus causes me to understand in wonder and reassurance that God’s Word is true. To experience them firsthand myself made my own faith stronger and reminds me that God’s Word is not random or by chance. It encourages me daily to hear, believe, and respond to His Word, knowing that His plan had been in process way before I was even conceived.
- October 13, 2025 at 9:05 am #109460
Derrick Adams
ParticipantReading Matthew 2 alongside the prophecy in Micah really stood out to me. It is striking that the Messiah’s birthplace was named long before Jesus’ birth, and that it was not a famous city but a small village, Bethlehem. That detail makes the fulfillment feel intentional, not random. It reminds me that God works through history with purpose and precision. For me, these prophecies build trust in Scripture and in Jesus’ identity. They invite a response, not just agreement that the facts line up, but a step of faith. If God kept His word about the Messiah, I can trust Him with my life and daily decisions today.
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