Shiloh Comes

Centuries pass.  "The full limit of the time" arrives and the one called Shiloh, the Lord Jesus Christ, appears on the earthly scene. (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1, 2)  The fact that Jehovah has designated his closest companion as his Spokesman to the Jews shows how much Jehovah loves his people. What kind of spokesman does Jesus turn out to be? One of the highest order!  Jesus is more than a spokesman, he is a teacher-a Master Teacher. That is not surprising, for he has a marvelous Instructor -Jehovah God himself.  (John 5:30;  6:45' 7:15, 16, 46 ; 8:26) This is confirmed  by what Jesus  prophetically says through Isaiah:  "The Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself has given me the tongue of the taught ones, that I may know how to answer the tired one with a word.  He awakens morning by morning; he awakens my ear to hear like the taught ones." -Isaiah 50:4.

Before coming to earth, Jesus worked at his Father's side in heaven.  The warm relationship between Father and Son is poetically described at Proverbs 8:30:  "I came to be beside  [Jehovah] as a master worker, . . .being glad before him all the time."  Listening to his Father brought him great joy.  He shared his Father's love for "the sons of men."  (Proverbs 8:31) When he comes to earth, Jesus answers the tired one with a word.'  He begins his ministry by reading a comforting  passage from Isaiah's prophecy:  "Jehovah's spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare the good news to the poor, . . .to send the crushed ones away with a release."  (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1)  Good news for the poor!  Refreshment for the weary!  What joy that announcement should bring to the people!  Some do rejoice-but not all. In the end, many refuse to accept Jesus' credentials  as one taught by Jehovah.

However, some want to hear more.  They respond gladly to Jesus' heartwarming invitation:  "Come  to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls."  (Matthew 11:28, 29) Among those who draw near to Jesus are the men who become his apostles.  they know that to get under the yoke with Jesus means hard work for them.  This work involves, among other things, preaching the good news of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth.  (Matthew 24:14)  As the apostles and other disciples get involved in this work, they find that it does indeed bring refreshment to their souls.  The same work is being carried out by faithful Christians today, and sharing in it brings them similar joys.

Next time: He Is Not Rebellious

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001