THEY CAME WITH HASTE AND FOUND MARY, JOSEPH, AND THE BABE LYING IN A MANGER LK. 2: 16
1. What a lesson the Shepherds give the night that Jesus was born on earth.
2. They were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night when "the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shined round about them: and they were sore afraid." (Luke 2:9). The angel told them not to be afraid because, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." That good news was "unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11). He said, "You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12).
3. Instead of waiting for a more convenient time, or another day, or a later occasion they made haste that very night to make their search for Jesus and found him.
4. Their reaction was to tell everyone what had happened that night. "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child." (Luke 2: 17). The episode continues, "And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:18).
5. We cannot visit with Jesus personally as they did because he is by the right hand of God in heaven. We do have the record of his birth, life, teachings and the gospel message of salvation in our New Testaments. If you hear the message of Jesus what is your response to it? Many people put it on the back burner of doing anything about it. They do not accept him and obey him but put it off until a later date.
6. James said that our live are as vapors that appear for a little time and vanishes away. (James 4:13, 14). It can be snuffed out in just a few seconds. Since God brings the deeds of our lives into judgment don't we need some relationship with God when we die? (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14).
7. Some people are having too much fun in sinful living to seek out Jesus and accept him. Yet those habits are getting more established in their lives that are hard to break. After years of sinful living it becomes almost impossible to break them when the person addicted sees the need of change. If it was not for the powerful Gospel it would be impossible to break them.
8. Some people are too busy with job, school, sports, civic clubs, and other things to even think about looking for Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:4 calls this lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Some even laugh and say they would rather be with their friends in hell than to be worshipping God in heaven. To them there is no fun in serving God through Jesus Christ. There is both pleasure and peace in living for Jesus.
9. Still others say they just can't find a convenient time to serve the Lord which was what Felix told Paul who preached to him. "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts 24:25. He even trembled at the word but it just wasn't convenient to apply it.
10. Others are ever learning but they never come to the knowledge of the truth 2 Timothy 3:7. Old Satan is there putting doubts in their minds about God, Christ, the Bible, the Church and even about their friends in the church. One day time will run out for them - Then what?
11. Some say they just don't know why? What it is they just can't be comfortable with the idea of commitment. Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
12. Still others say "I've found him" while showing only token service to him. They say, "I Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, therefore I am saved." James 1:22-25 states, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whosoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, This man shall be blessed in his deed." Our faith must be active in obeying, serving, and worshipping if Jesus is to be our Savior.
WHY SHOULD WE MAKE HASTE TO FIND JESUS?
1. Because we are not promised tomorrow. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." (Prov. 27:1). In just a moment's time our lives can be snuffed from us by accident, heart attack, stroke, or treachery of some criminal. Death is an appointment and we know not when it will come. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb. 9:27, 28).
2. Because life is made easier with Jesus. He said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowley in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ( Matthew 11 :28-30)
3. Because some other person needs your help in finding Jesus. Unless you first find him, you will not be able to help others find him.
Make haste and find Jesus by listening to gospel preaching about him. Then take your Bible and check up to see if it is true. If you find him Believe on Him with all your being. Obey him because you love him and spend your life serving Him. Tell everyone else about the Lord that you have found and bless their lives as well as yours. C. D.