I wonder how it felt after the shepherds, wise men, and many others saw Jesus that first Christmas. What was life like as they returned to their homes or fields to tend sheep? I wonder how it felt to see the one who created everything, to touch him, to hold his little hand, or sing him to sleep? It is certainly something to think about, seeing and touching God in the flesh. However, if you are a Christian, these feelings should not amaze you. We have had a greater feeling. One that is greater than our five senses can experience.
We have not physically touched Jesus, but we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He lives in us! Because of our desire to receive Jesus as our Savior, we have experienced the inward feeling of freedom. Freedom from the guilt of the past. I will never forget the feeling that swept over me when I surrendered my heart to Jesus and invited Him into my life.
Romans 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
We have the feeling of deep-seated joy, a joy that is so deep it is indescribable. It is a joy unspeakable! We have peace that transcends any peace that man can offer. We have faith that is anchored in something that is true and worthy of faith. Our faith is not a “hope so” faith; it is a “know so” faith. It is in the present and real!
I Peter 1:8 “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
I John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
We have hope for the future. We have been told by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords what our future holds. When we place our faith in Him, we can rest assured that he is preparing a place for us, and He will come to get us. Our new home is already deeded to us, and there is no mortgage owed. The price for that home has already been paid.
Acts 1:11 “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
We too can know how it feels to be in the presence of Jesus. We will touch him again one day, sit with Him, and forever be with Him. Now, while we wait for His coming, we have it much better than those shepherds and visitors to the stable. We have His indwelling, Immanuel, God with us and in us. Those who visited Jesus at His birth rejoiced, but when they left, they left without Him. They would long to see Him and hear about Him, but they could only experience Him as they were in His physical presence. We can know how it feels all the time, 24/7. We don’t have to wonder anymore.
