I Will Give You As A Covenant To The People!

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house" Isaiah 42:6, 7. This is a prophecy of the Old Testament fulfilled in the life of Jesus.

On some fields near Bethlehem there were some shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. "And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people'" Luke 2:8-10.

Good news for all the people; the Father God gave Jesus Christ as a covenant for all the people to be a light to the world, to Gentiles and Jews alike. The plan of salvation is a means not only of rescuing humanity from sin but also of vindicating the character of God, His unselfish love and righteousness, before the entire universe (see John 17:1, 2: Luke 10:22; ). Jesus was the One promised from the very beginning. He is the "Seed" of the woman that would bruise the serpents head, promised to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15). He was continually referred to by the prophets in Holy Scriptures.

To open blind eyes; Jesus on several occasions healed the physical blindness of men, including one who had been blind from birth, (Matthew 9:27-31; 11:4, 5; John 9:1-11). The restoration of physical eyesight on various occasions testified that Jesus had power to impart sight to men's eyes, however, His ministry was focused on opening the spiritual eyesight of those who could physically see but who were blind to spiritual realities (see John chapter 9).

To bring out prisoners from the prison and those who sit in darkness from the prison house; Jesus came to release those who sit in darkness from the prisons of their environment and sin. Jesus came to assuage the suffering of those who are grieved and weary of their burdens. He is the Great Physician who came to heal the bodies, hearts and souls of men. When men yielding to sin becoming its captives and slaves, Christ comes to lift us up from the bondage of evil and to make us free in Him (John 8:34, 36; Romans 6:1-23; 8:2, 21).

Without Christ, men grope and stumble about in darkness. But in Christ, those who have been surrounded by darkness have the privilege of finding the light of life, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" John 8:12.

Jesus is the covenant of God to us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" John 3:16, 17. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" Ephesians 2:13.

Jesus was given to us by God as His pledge and covenant for our salvation. "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" Psalm 107:8.

May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your heart and soul today and forever!