It is amazing that the nation Israel(And the whole world for that matter.)didn't come running to Bethlehem after the shepherds spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child(Jesus).(Luke 2:15-18) Israel had been waiting for the Messiah for generations and had the prophecies of the Old Testament. They should have been expecting Jesus but didn't respond even when the shepherds came with the good news.
Actually there were two the Bible tells us about that did respond and had been waiting for many years. This is their story.
Luke 2:25-38 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Jesus is coming again! Will we be like Simeon and Anna who the Bible calls righteous and devout? Will we be like Paul who longed for his appearing?(2 Timothy 4:8) May we not be like the majority of Bethlehem, who when they heard what the shepherds had said were amazed but did nothing about it. Israel had the Old Testament prophecies and we have Paul's words from the New Testament!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Be encouraged! Christ is coming again!
Merry Christmas!
THE CAPTAIN
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