December is the month we usually think of doorbusters, not gate-busters, yes?
To use the word "busts" as a verb is improper English, of course. But, in the southern United States, it is a slang form of the word "bursts". English lesson of the day is over. Moving on... Those of you troubled by my colloquial Southern English, go read a Yankee's blog, lol! (You know I'm just messing with you!)
Here at Advent we sometimes focus on the Messianic name, Immanuel, which means "God With Us". We ponder how God could have poured Himself into the body of a human baby, to dwell with us, among us, for 33 years. It is astounding.
In Micah, though, we find (and will look at tonight) an equally marvelous attribute of Messiah - - that of gate breaker.
"The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their king goes on before them, And the LORD at their head."
Micah 2:13 (NASB)
Ellicott tells us that The Breaker was a Messianic title, commonly known and understood among the Old Testament Jews. Micah's ministry occurred in the same time period as did Isaiah's, and both men spoke of the Messiah with various descriptions. (Think of Isaiah 9:6, for example, probably the most famous of all the Messianic prophetic passages.) Both men also prophesied that Messiah would gather together the captive, oppressed people of Israel and lead them into His kingdom. Micah 2:13 is one such verse.
Now, Jesus people, those who claim Him as their Messiah/Savior, know that He did not fulfill Micah 2:13 during His first Advent. However, during the Advent season, we celebrate both his first Advent (which has occurred) and His second (which has not).
Furthermore, we can celebrate that our Savior still possesses the attributes and characteristics highlighted in both advents NOW, in this present time.
So, yes, God came down at Christmas. Immanuel - - God is with us. Although Christ sits at the right hand of Father in the 3rd heaven presently (in our time-bound way of looking at things) (Hebrews 1:3), He is still with us, in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit.
In addition to that, though, He goes before us. What am I talking about?
Ok, let's say you are the parent of a child, and the both of you must walk from the house to the barn, after a big snow. Who goes first? The child? Certainly not! The parent goes first, and then the child follows, stepping in the footprints of the parent, as nearly as he/she can. The parent is "the breaker". Or, maybe a parent and child are walking through the woods. On the forest floor there are briars. There are low-hanging branches to potentially hit the child in the face. The good parent goes before and blazes the trail, making a way, busting open the gate, so to speak.
Do you need to feel the Savior's love in this way today? Do you need to remember this, Saint?
Whether you are facing death - - - He has gone before you and has conquered it. (Hebrews 2:9)
Whether you are facing fierce obstacles - - He has gone before and cleared the way. (Hebrews 2:10)
Whether you are facing a temptation that would wreck your life should you give in - - He was tempted too, and emerged victorious. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
And, my favorite Hebrews passage about the Door-Busting Messiah puts it like this: (oh, how I love this passage!)
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:18-20 (The Message)
How was your day? No matter how it was, no matter what you are facing - - if you have asked Jesus into your heart and confess Him as your Savior, run for your very life! Run into the arms of the Gate-Bustin' Messiah. Run into His arms and never let go of His unbreakable spiritual lifeline!
Aren't you glad He is there for you? At Advent ... and always!
Source:
1 https://biblehub.com/commentaries/micah/2-13.htm
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