Greetings Saints and Friends,
”George, that was some teaching by Pastor Harold this morning, wasn’t it?” “Oh I tell you, Pastor may be soft-spoken, but when he shares the truth from God’s Word it’s always clear. He brought back many memories when he said that we can look over the past decades of our lives and see how things have accelerated.” “Not only accelerated, but have become more intense and compelling, which will culminate in the return of Jesus from heaven!” “I thought it was interesting how Pastor pointed out at the first coming of Jesus, He arrived unnoticed – being carried in the womb of Mary as she rode into Bethlehem on a donkey. Out of the great multitude of people in Bethlehem at that time for the Roman census, she and Joseph were the only ones to know Who had just arrived in town. And even they did not know all of the things that Jesus would do.” “That is probably why the apostle John wrote at the end of his gospel, ‘There are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.'” John 21:25
“To think, Sam, we only know a fraction of all that Jesus did the first time He came. And He arrived with such little fanfare. On that holy night when Jesus entered the world by Mary, the angel excitedly announced to the shepherds in the fields, ‘There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ Then an entourage of angels appeared and began praising God that Jesus had arrived as planned in Bethlehem. The shepherds responded to the great news of the arrival of Jesus by leaving the fields and going to greet Jesus. Luke 2:8-16 Pastor said the shepherds are an example for us. They did not form a planning committee to welcome Jesus, they heard God’s word and acted upon it.” “The next time Jesus arrived on a colt, was when He rode into Jerusalem to celebrate Passover with His disciples. At that time, He humbly presented Himself to the people as their long-awaited King.” “Yes, just as God had promised through the prophet Zechariah when he told the people, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you. He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ Zechariah 9:9
This time, instead of just shepherds coming to greet Jesus, there were crowds of people following Him from Jericho and others who came out from Jerusalem when they heard He was coming. The crowds could very well have numbered in the hundreds or more. For three and a half years prior to this time, Jesus had been teaching great truths, performing many miracles of healing, providing food, casting out demons from people, and even raising the dead. Most of the people heartily greeted Jesus with songs from the Bible. During all of this excitement, the disciples may have forgotten what Jesus had told them previously – that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Matthew 16:21
By the end of the week, Jesus, the Son of God, would do what no other one could possibly do. He would pay for the sins of every person who would eventually trust in Him. The predetermined way that He accomplished this was to suffer the mocking of the crowds, the scourging of the Roman whip, then be nailed to a cruel Roman cross and die for our sins. And then, on the third day, rise again as He said He would do!” “George, I thank Jesus often for what He did to show His love for me. But I can’t wait to see Him in person to express my gratitude.” “He is our Blessed Hope and soon we are going to see His glorious appearing. As a matter of fact, everyone is going to see Jesus. It is just a matter of whether people are going to trust in Him now and see Him as Lord, or reject Him now and see Him as Judge when He says, ‘Depart from Me. I never knew you.'” Matthew 7:23
When Jesus arrived in Bethlehem on a donkey, a few shepherds and some animals greeted Him. When He arrived at Jerusalem on a colt, hundreds of people greeted Him. Jesus is coming again. This time He will be riding a great white horse. And the Bible says, ‘Every eye will see Him.’ Revelation 1:7
Whoever welcomes Jesus into their heart now, will be welcomed into His presence in heaven. Anyone can tell Him, ‘Thank You Jesus for paying for my sins when You died for them and rose again. I welcome You into my heart today, and look so forward to greeting You in person. Amen’
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