Determination, diligence rewarded
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
Jesus is still available in the hustle and the bustle of the season. After all, He’s the reason for the season.
Some people among the crowds seek Him! Wise men and women still seek Him. He’s still a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Take the woman with the issue of blood. She was among a large crowd that the Bible says was thronging Jesus. She was determined in her heart to get what she needed from Jesus. Nothing was going to stop her. Sometimes we’ve got to persevere to get to Him.
The woman was ill – and had been for quite some time (12 years) – but she pushed through. She touched the hem of His garment and was made whole. Jesus knew very well He had been touched by faith because virtue left Him.
He asked, “Who touched me?” Many in the crowd had brushed up against Him, so to speak, but this woman truly touched Him, as evidenced by her healing. He is still a rewarder of those that seek Him from their hearts.
There’s no better reward than the Prince of Peace in our lives – and eternal life with God.
When Jesus was born, they brought Him the best gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh. But, truly, Jesus was God’s greatest gift to man – Emmanuel, God with us.
The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Diligence played a major role with two persons in the Bible gaining an understanding of just who that baby was.
He was the Son of Man, yes, but also the Son of God.
Days after Jesus was born, He was taken into the temple in Jerusalem by his mother and father to be presented to the Lord. Surely, there were many in the temple that day. But to nearly all of them, Jesus likely appeared as just another baby boy.
In truth, He was the Messiah – the great hope of salvation. God in the flesh. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7
So, Jesus suddenly appears in the temple as a baby. He’s the one Israel is looking for – the Son of the Living God. But among all those in the temple, none but two initially recognized Him. Those two were devout and consistent in their service to God, enabling the revelation.
It describes Simeon this way: “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” (Luke 2:25)
It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Christ.
Simeon came by the Spirit into the temple just as Jesus’ parents brought their baby in. It was impeccable timing. Then, Simeon was able to take up Jesus in his arms. Oh, what joy Simeon experienced as he looked into that baby’s eyes.
And then there was Anna, a prophetess and widow, who departed not from the temple, serving God with fastings and prayers night and day. “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)
Seek and ye shall find.
Sam Kaufman pastors The Church of God at 405 13th Ave. N in Alex City. Contact him at 432 266-0154.