When Jesus Steps In
What does Christmas mean to people? Think of a Mom raising children on her own. Old people living in huts in Africa. Missionaries living thousands of miles from home. Merchants depending on the shopping to keep them in business.
So many people feel depressed because they do not have a relationship with Jesus. We are living in the time of the end. Who really knew that Jesus had come back in year 1 AD. Will you let Jesus save YOU?
The final story of Christmas is that Jesus is coming back a second time. How serious do we take Jesus?
Luke 2:8-14
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
Prophecy had told 500 years before that Jesus would appear. The educated scribes and Pharisees did not care about being ready for the Messiah to appear. The Messiah would mess up their lives and egos. Is it possible today that we are not ready for the Messiah to return? Is our life full of things that keep us from being ready?
Jesus came at the worst time in history. Israel had been at war for many generations. The Roman Empire was the dominant power in the world and Jesus arrived right at the beginning of the Roman Empire. The Jews refused to give up what they were doing in the temple and carried on with their games instead of leading people to God.
God could no longer reach people. The Jews were corrupt – lost in sin – agents of Satan. Evil was now a part of their religion. Instead of destroying the world, God poured out a flood of healing grace and sent Jesus.
Are we so wrapped up in our lives that we will be fooled when Jesus comes the second time? Are we trying to keep our religion to ourselves? The Shepherds were the only people willing to listen to the arrival of the Messiah. The Church leaders were not willing to pay attention or listen. Will you be willing to listen and take Jesus seriously? When God made an announcement to the angels, they came down and did what God asked of them. We as God’s people must do our part.
Listen for Jesus, listen for the signs of His second coming. Can we be saved? God gave us a commission to share Jesus with others.
Luke 2:18
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
The Shepherds were the only people to take the Gospel seriously. Shepherds were on the opposite end of the social ladder. They were nobodies as they lived in fields with their animals. They had no power or prestige. Yet God’s angels came unto the shepherds. No matter how insignificant you may think you are, God knows you and you are precious in His sight. If you feel you are not respected, just remember Jesus knows you. You are a shepherd for Jesus.
What do we value in this world? Being a shepherd means the light shines on you. God has called you. He can change you.
Revelation 22:11
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.
Have you made your choice? When we have made a choice for Jesus – we will live for Jesus.
We do not like being told what to do or how to live. Do we do the same thing to Jesus? Righteousness is right doing. Some preachers are calling right doing legalism. The only way to know how to live right is follow the Bible.
Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth
The Bible is elementary and the minimum we should strive to live by.
Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Have you sown evil or righteousness? Anybody can chose to follow the Bible and Jesus. Are you willing to be a Shepherd for Jesus?