And just as it is appointed for people to die once-and after this, judgment-so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.    Hebrews 9:28 HCSB

Yesterday in our Sunday School class we studied those who knew and understood when Jesus was born that He was the Messiah come to save us from our sins. Of those that came to worship Jesus were the Shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the Wise Men.

Now back then all they had was the Old Testament, but way back in Genesis 3, God tells us that there will be a son of a woman that will crush the head of Satan. Isaiah prophesied a great deal about Jesus’ birth. If you look at those who visited baby Jesus, you will see that they were in the Scriptures. They read their Bible. They were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They prayed and praised and worshiped God.

Jesus’ birth was no big secret, it was there for anyone to read, see and understand. But only a precious few seemed to get it when he was born. That was those who were in relationship with God.

Now if we fast forward to today, is it really any different? We have the Old and the New Testament. We know that Jesus was born of a virgin, was crucified, died and was buried. We know that he rose on the third day, and we know that He is coming again.

Jesus came as a baby into poor, humble circumstances. He was born in some type of structure where animals were fed. All we really know is that he was laid in a feeding trough because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). We know that Joseph and Mary were poor because we are told in Luke 2:24 that when they brought Jesus to the temple for his dedication to the Lord as was the law at that time, they offered two pigeons or two turtledoves. In Leviticus this was an offering given by those too poor to offer a sheep.

There was no great fanfare. Jesus came in quietly. He began His ministry at the age of 30. By the time He was 33, He was crucified.

But my friend, when He returns, we will all know it. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. Those who are dead in Christ, meaning Christians that have died before us will rise first. Then those of us Christians who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Oh, what a day that will be!

Revelation 1:7 says He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all of the tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.

Matthew 24:44 says that we must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect.

In Luke 21:34-36, Jesus warns us to be on our guard so that our minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap for it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. He warns us to be alert at all times praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.

My friends the Bible tells us that Jesus isn’t coming back to save us from our sins, He’s already done that. He’s coming back to bring those who have accepted Him and trusted in Him and obeyed Him home. He’s coming to judge those that have rejected Him.

Will you be like the Shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the Wise men? Are you eagerly watching and waiting for His return?  Or will you be like so many others, oblivious to Jesus and busy living your life? Be careful because if you are too busy living your life, you will lose it.  Matthew 16:25 tells us that whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Jesus will find it.

Trust in Him, obey His commands, surrender to Him and wait for it. He came first to save us, take advantage of that because the next time He comes it will be to judge us. Are you ready and waiting? I pray that you are.

Have a great day!