We Have Found Him!

Warriors Arise: December 25, 2021

John 1:41 (NKJV) 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah”...

That statement really hits me. Have you said that statement? Did you tell anyone, "I have found the Messiah, the Christ!" It is a huge statement. It is one to be shared. It can be shared again and again. I found the Messiah in the midst of the pain. I needed a big God. I needed to know someone was in control. I needed to know I would not be abandoned. I needed to know I was worth His time. I needed to know I was valuable to Him. I needed to know He is real. I can still remember my salvation experience. I remember asking questions. I remember being asked if I understood what I wanted. I was young. Some would have even said too young. But God revealed Himself to me. I knew He would be with me. I knew I would never be alone. I had been to church and Sunday School every Sunday. My parents were my example of having a tangible relationship with God demonstrated His availability and desire for me to be in His family. I saw them seek God daily.

There is something amazing that goes on within each one of us when we have "found the Messiah," the One everyone has told us about. John was not the first to recognize the Messiah, nor the first to be looking for Him, searching for Him, waiting to see His face.

Who was first to acknowledge the Messiah had been born?

Who was second?

Who was third?

Who was fourth?

The First:

Luke 2:15-20 (NKJV) So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

The Second:

Luke 2:25-35 (NKJV) And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The Third:

Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV) Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Fourth:

Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”... 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

How could Joseph protect God's Son if everyone knew who He was? Now the wisemen from somewhere in the East had found and recognized Him as King of the Jews. He knew how crazy Herod was. I bet Joseph was praying for God to send him an angel, to tell him what to do. The shepherds told everyone in town. Simeon told everyone at the temple. They all knew what God had told him, he would see the Messiah before he died. Anna, the prophetess was given that title because she heard God. Everyone knew she earned that title. What she said from God was true and would come to pass. They thought they were safe, nothing really came of what the shepherds said, Simeon and Anna the prophetess but now, these wisemen from the East. Why was God posting a star to guide people to His Son? He knows Herod is crazy and will kill anyone threatening his throne. How could Joseph protect His Son, the one God entrusted him to father?

Then the angel wakes Joseph up and they flee to Egypt and later returns. We don't hear about Jesus again until He is 12. His parents had taken Him to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Jesus remains behind teaching of God in the temple. When Joseph and Mary find Him, they are not happy. Would word get out? Would the people recognize them and put age and events together? They must get Him home quickly and quietly.

Eighteen years later when a Hebrew son takes over his father's business, Jesus is baptized an recognized by john the baptist as the One, the Messiah. This time, it would be to set in motion the business of the Messiah, the Savior of the world. John, a disciple of John the Baptist hears God speak from heaven as He blesses His Son, in Whom He is well pleased and a dove rests upon Jesus, the Messiah. John follows Jesus and then goes to tell his brother, just like the shepherds who came that night so long ago.

John 1:41-42 (NKJV) He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Something happens when we bring people to Jesus. The Messiah has come, He triumphed over every temptation of satan, He has laid His life down for each one of us, and is waiting for us to join HIs family, take up our position and advance His kingdom. It is our turn to go and share, "We have found the Messiah".

Father, You are amazing in all of Your ways. You lead me in understanding Your ways. You desire for me to share everywhere I go of the love You have for all people. You have made a way that no one has to be alone. No one has to live in bondage. No one has to live ignorant of the grace You offer for our Salvation. Jesus, the Messiah, my Messiah has come. It is time I share it with the world and call people to come meet Him. Give me courage to share Your message and take people to You in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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