Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
When Heaven was looking for someone who was prepared to welcome the birth of the long-awaited Messiah, no one among the priests or rulers seemed the least bit interested. So far as they were concerned, if the Messiah should never come, they were content so long as their "economy" was good and Emperor Caesar Augustus kept the peace. When Joseph and Mary were in the manger in Bethlehem and Jesus was born, the angel was about to go back to heaven with the shameful news that no human being on earth cared. But that would have been tragic! It is true that human beings are sinful and selfish and alienated from God, but there have always been some whose hearts were in tune with Heaven. (It's that way today, also).
Then the angel found the poor shepherds camping out in the fields by night, talking together under the starlight about God's promises to send the Messiah and praying, "Lord, send Him! We need Him!" The angel was so happy! He could not contain his pent-up joy but told them that the Saviour of the world was born in Bethlehem and they should go and see him for themselves. They would be welcome! So they said to each other, "Lets go! We must see this great sight!" and they did not walk, they ran to the town of Bethlehem, and found Jesus, the world's Saviour, lying in a donkey's feed-box.
Does anyone today care whether Jesus comes soon, or not for a long time to come so long as we have a good "economy" and peace and fun? Is anyone anywhere fasting and praying about it? I don't mean arthritic old people in nursing homes; I mean are there young people who are concerned for the latter rain, the loud cry, and the coming of Jesus again?
The Bible evidence is quite clear, the shepherds camping in the fields were young: (1) they were "camping," as only youth could or would do; and (2) when they had heard what the angels said, they didn't say to each other, "Well, (yawn!) let's wait a few days and maybe next week we'll stroll over to town and see about this." No way! Luke 2 says they said, "Let's go!" as only youth would say it, and they hurried to town.
The answer to my question is "Yes!" there are young people today who are concerned seriously, and they are as much concerned about Jesus' second coming as the shepherds were about His first coming. The Bible promise is that "unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28). The Greek says, "eager" for Him to come; yes, there are some. Are you among them?
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 24, 1999.
Copyright © 2011 by "Dial Daily Bread."
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