The Gospel Promised and Fulfilled

Scripture: Romans 1:2-4

"...the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."

Devotion:

When Paul introduces the gospel in these verses, he immediately grounds it in history, prophecy, and the person of Jesus Christ. This is no new religion, no innovative philosophy dreamed up by human imagination. The gospel, Paul insists, was promised long ago through God's prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures.

A Promise Kept

How remarkable that the God who spoke through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the psalmists is the same God who fulfilled every promise in Jesus Christ. The gospel didn't catch God by surprise; it was His plan from the beginning. When we read the Old Testament with eyes opened by Christ, we see Him on every page—in the promises to Abraham, in the Passover lamb, in David's throne, in Isaiah's suffering servant.

This should strengthen our faith immensely. If God kept His promise to send the Messiah after thousands of years, we can trust Him to keep every promise He's made to us. His Word is reliable. His character is faithful. What He promises, He delivers.

Fully Human, Fully Divine

Paul presents Jesus with two distinct realities that are inseparable. First, Jesus was fully human—a descendant of David, born into history, entering our world with all its limitations and sorrows. He knew hunger, thirst, weariness, and temptation. He experienced our humanity completely, sin excepted.

Second, Jesus was "appointed the Son of God in power" through the resurrection. The empty tomb wasn't just a nice ending to the story; it was God's thunderous validation of everything Jesus claimed. The resurrection declared with unmistakable clarity: this man is who He said He was. Death could not hold Him. The grave could not contain Him.

Why This Matters Today

In our relativistic age, where everyone is encouraged to create their own truth, the gospel stands as a historical fact. Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose. These aren't metaphors or myths—they're events that happened in space and time, witnessed by hundreds, recorded in Scripture, and transforming lives for two millennia.

When you doubt, remember: this gospel was promised, prophesied, and proven. When you feel distant from God, remember: Jesus didn't remain in distant transcendence but descended into David's lineage, into our humanity, into our suffering. When you wonder if God has the power to change your circumstances, remember: the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.

A Personal Reflection

Today, consider which aspect of Jesus you most need to embrace. Do you need to remember His humanity—that He understands your struggles and sympathizes with your weaknesses? Or do you need to remember His power—that the One who conquered death can handle whatever you're facing?

The gospel is not just information; it's a transformation. It's not just about what Jesus did two thousand years ago; it's about who He is today—your risen, powerful, compassionate Lord.

 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You that the gospel is rooted in Your faithfulness, proven in history, and powerful in my life today. Help me to trust in Your promises as I see how You fulfilled every prophecy. Strengthen my faith in both Your humanity—that You understand me—and Your divinity—that You can save me completely. May the power of Your resurrection be at work in my life today. Amen.