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Open your Bibles this morning to Malachi chapter 4 as we conclude this powerful book. Malachi is one of the minor prophets—not minor in importance, but minor in size. Over the past nine weeks, this book has provided significant insights, and today, on Christmas morning, we fittingly conclude by exploring its messianic implications.
Let’s begin by asking for God’s help as we study His Word. Father, thank you for your Word and truth. Holy Spirit, grant us understanding of these verses. Give us hope, peace, and wisdom to act according to your Word as we celebrate Jesus today. In His name we pray, amen.
Last week, in verse 1 of chapter 4, we saw a group within Israel complaining, claiming that serving God was futile and meaningless. Their apathy and envy toward the wicked blinded them from genuine worship. Despite going through religious motions, their hearts lacked true devotion.
However, at the end of chapter 3, God highlighted a righteous remnant who feared and honored His name. The wicked faced judgment, symbolized by God’s prepared oven of wrath. But the righteous received a powerful promise in verse 2: “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”
This beautiful metaphor promised Israel’s faithful remnant a future of hope amidst darkness. The sun signifies the Messiah—powerful, bright, and glorious—dispelling the darkness of sin. God assures them that despite current despair, the dawn of righteousness is near. Messiah would rise, bringing spiritual healing and the cure for sin’s curse.
Today, we celebrate that Messiah’s coming. The incarnation marks the eternal God becoming flesh—Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of this promise. The birth of Christ brought spiritual healing, offering forgiveness and new life.
Malachi 4:2 also portrays the joy and relief of those who receive this healing. Like calves escaping slaughter, believers leap with gratitude for salvation, freed from God’s wrath and judgment.
God then instructs His people to remain obedient to His law until Messiah’s arrival (verse 4). He provides a sign to watch for—Elijah’s coming (verse 5)—fulfilled by John the Baptist, as confirmed by Jesus Himself. John prepared the way, preaching repentance and turning hearts back to God.
This prophecy was fulfilled through John’s ministry, leading people to repentance and preparing them to receive Christ. Jesus, identified by John as the Lamb of God, brought the promised healing through His sacrifice.
Today, while sin and darkness still exist, we confidently await Christ’s return. The promise fulfilled at His first coming assures us of His second. We must remain faithful, obedient, and hopeful, knowing the Son of Righteousness has already risen and will return in glory.
May we reject apathy, embrace genuine worship, and cherish the grace of Jesus Christ. This Christmas, remember He has come, He has risen, and He is coming again.
Let’s pray. Father, thank you for the promise fulfilled in Jesus. Remove our apathy, renew our hearts, and draw us near to you. Grant repentance and faith where needed. Help us live faithfully until Christ returns. In His precious name, amen.