We have just come through what most probably consider the
most joyous holiday season of the year – the season that remembers the birth of
Jesus. Indeed. I have years of wonderful memories throughout
my life of this great holiday.
On a more serious note, some of
you will remember my describing a wonderful experience many years ago on
Christmas Eve. We were sitting in a
local church. Traditional hymns were
being sung about Jesus, about the babe in the manger. All of a sudden while I sat there, the Lord suddenly
and very clearly spoke to me: “John,
these people are celebrating my birth, and here I am getting ready to come back
soon.”
I never forgot that.
Yes, it’s true. Jesus
is not in the manger. He is not a
baby. He has already been born, grown
up, lived and walked, gone about teaching, preaching, and healing, been
arrested and tortured and killed horribly on the cross, risen from the dead,
appeared to over 500, and ascended into heaven where he now sits at the right
hand of his Father.
Jesus is the King and he is
returning soon as the ultimate ruler to eliminate his enemies and establish his
kingdom rule from Jerusalem. He did not
come as the King the first time he came.
But that is how he is coming now.
That is where we are in time.
The imminent return of Jesus is a celebration for all
believers who understand its significance every day. Jesus is our hope and future. He is in fact our only hope.
Remembering why and how he came the first time brings great
joy to almost all of us who call ourselves Christians, as it did just a few
days ago.
Truly recognizing where and who he is and what he is about
to do now is essential for all living who have hope of a good future.
The words from
Isaiah wonderfully apply to all of this:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!
(December 2016)
Copyright © 2016 by John
Newlin
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