The plain, simple Gospel. Jesus truly was the new born King. First, He humbled Himself to the cross for you and me. That babe in the manger is the same who, as a man, suffered and bled and died for our sins. Then, He rose from the dead!
The shepherds couldn’t have known all that. But they had kept the sheep that were to be sacrificed each day in the temple. They understood the blood of lambs could only cover sin. But, Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”(John 1:29) They trusted that this newborn king would one day take away their sin, so there would be no more need for sacrifice. And now, there is no more need for a priest to sacrifice, as Jesus died once for all.(Last of Heb. 7 & 9, that word “tetelestai,” “it is finished,” etc.). Many of them probably were among the followers who believed in Jesus as the promised Messiah.
They got to thinking about their own lives, and what they wanted - to be free from Rome. But His Kingdom was not of this world. Yet.
It will be one day. Jesus will return with the saints – those who trusted in Jesus as Saviour – and He will judge this wicked world and build a new one.
He warned us not to look for Him on Earth, but to know He would come in the clouds. Before that, He would rapture His Church, the Bride of Christ as it’s called, to protect them while the Man of Sin, the antichrist, rules. During this time, the Jewish nation will be dealt with as a people. Paul says in Romans 11 Israel will be saved.
Today, individual Jews can trust in Jesus as Messiah. But, at the end of the Tribulation, they will all “look on Me whom they have pierced.”(Zech. 12:10) They will know that the one they crucified 2,000 years ago is their promised Messiah.
That’s the purpose of the Tribulation – the salvation of the Jewish nation. If you trusted Jesus as Saviour you’re saved from your sin. We need to keep growing in Him. If we sin we lose blessings and rewards. But Jesus seals each believer with the Holy Spirit.(Eph. 1:13-14) He keeps us from falling(Jude 24) and no one can pluck us out of His hand(John 10:28-29), nor can anything separate us from Him.(Rom. 8:38-39)
Those alive in the Tribulation will have a choice: Trusting Jesus to save will mean the end of their life on Earth – but they will live forever with Jesus. Those who don’t will spend eternity in torment. This doesn’t sound like a hard choice, but the devil will make it so hard strong delusion will come on those who reject Him, so they believe a lie.(2 Thess. 2.) It’s even possible the Mark of the Beast is a chip with genetic mutation, so they aren’t human anymore, like a cyborg. Just a theory, but possible with the right tech.
Either way, but none of us can know for sure we’ll wake up tomorrow. Jesus says now is the time, today is the day of salvation.
We have a choice. Follow Christ of Bethlehem or put Him aside and serve selfishness. Carols, gifts, etc. should remind us of God’s gift; what He did for us. We choose daily whether to follow Him. But we each have a bigger choice, too. This season reminds us of it. This is why I said read and share this. The Christ of Bethlehem is calling.
If He asked, “Why should I let you in my perfect Heaven,” what would you say? I invite you to pray. Invite Jesus into your heart if you never did, or if you’re unsure of your relationship with Him. Jesus saves when you trust Him. Pray something like this, talking right to Jesus: “Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I’m not perfect, so I can’t reach your perfect Heaven myself. But you died to take the punishment for my sins, you took my place on the cross. Lord Jesus, I ask you today to be my Saviour, save me from my sins. I invite you to come live in me and make me new inside. I believe you are God in flesh, you did all that was needed to save me. I trust that you have saved me, not by my work but totally by your free gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I hope you read that with people – family, friends, anyone in your neighborhood or school. We don’t know when Jesus will return. But, it’s always good to know how to lead someone to the Lord. You can use that diagnostic question and the ABCs of salvation; which you can look for online easily.
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