No one knows the destiny of a child at birth ... what they will become, what they will do. Only once has this occurred. The prophet Isaiah, speaking 700 years before Christ, told us exactly what the Child born in a manger would come to accomplish.
In one chapter (Isaiah 53) there are approximately 25 specific prophecies about Jesus that were perfectly fulfilled. Those with eyes to see at His birth knew precisely what the future held.
He was born to be crushed.
His destiny was sealed when He left heaven. He came for a solitary purpose: to bear the crushing penalty for our sins.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way, but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him … But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief if He would render Himself as a guilt offering. (Isaiah 53:5-6, 10)
This child with such a harsh destiny would have a glorious reward. He would be resurrected! He would ascend to His Father's right hand to rule for eternity, and every knee would one day bow before Him. And He would receive the fruits of His crushing labor, as Isaiah prophesied.
He will see His offspring. He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied. By His knowledge, the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11)
From heaven to the manger, to the cross, to the tomb, to heaven again, this Child’s destiny was set. He would know short years of the most incredible suffering and a long eternity of glory. Millions of cleansed and redeemed saints would serve Him and worship Him forever. Thirty-three grueling years would yield an eternity of glorious returns.
He was born to be crushed for us so we could be remade and reign with Him. This child, this suffering Savior, this King!
