Monday, February 2, 2015

Samson and Jesus - Part 1


For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines  (Judges 13:5). 

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS… And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God"  (Luke 1:31 & 35). 

There are some striking similarities between Samson the Nazarite and Jesus the Nazarine. Here are a few of them.

Both the birth of Samson and the birth of Christ were announced through angelic messengers.

Samson's father said, "Let your words come to pass."  Mary, the mother of Jesus, said, "Let it be unto me according to your word."

Samson was born to deliver the Israelites who were in bondage to and oppressed by the Philistines.  Jesus was born to deliver the world that was in bondage to and oppressed by Satan.

The Spirit moved upon Samson.  The Spirit descended upon and anointed Jesus.

Samson was a thorn in the Philistines' side, going about destroying their yoke over Israel.  Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil and thereby destroying Satan's yoke of bondage.

Samson's own people rejected him and turned him over to the Philistines.  Jesus' own people (the Jews) rejected Him and turned Him over to the Romans.

These similarities between Samson and Jesus are not coincidental.  Samson's story is meant to point the way to Jesus. God wants people to know about the blessed Savior.  You can point the way to Him as well.  Tell someone today about Jesus!

~Bayless Conley~

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