Our minister writes a weekly column for our local newspaper, the Roanoke Beacon. We’ve included the latest edition below.
Any major endeavor requires preparation. Families prepare for vacations and sports teams prepare for upcoming seasons and farmers prepare for planting, each hoping that this year will be better than the last. Hostesses prep their snacks and clean their homes to ready for the party. Political parties prepare for the next election, selecting candidates and allocating resources in the way they believe provides the best chance for victory at the polls. Squirrels and ants prepare for winter and mice seek warmer quarters as cold weather approaches.
When 30,000 Boy Scouts and their leaders are to be on the grounds for 10 days, food, water, activities and basic sanitation require a great deal of thought. Planning for this year’s Boy Scout National Jamboree, held at the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve in southern West Virginia, began as soon as the last National Jamboree ended four years ago. Then, days before this year’s Jamboree in July, more than 1400 volunteers from the active duty military and National Guard arrived at the Bechtel Reserve to set up staging in the amphitheater, erect supply tents and learn support roles so that the Scouts could cook their own meals and sleep in their own tents.
When a total solar eclipse traced its path across the continental United States last summer, media announcements told people what to expect and warned of the consequences of incorrect viewing. Communities along the path prepared for an influx of tourists, and emergency services planned to handle the traffic, medical needs, and peace-keeping duties necessary to accomodate larger than normal crowds. Many amateur astronomers planned a road trip, aiming to put themselves in the path of the total eclipse and hoping for clear skies.
But if the significance of a moment can be measured by the amount of preparation involved, then the most significant time in world history is the life of Christ. The whole Old Testament era, about 4000 years of human history, is devoted to planning for Jesus’ arrival, ministry and death. In fact, the entire Old Testament can be summarized in two words: “Someone’s coming!”
Early in human history, after Adam and Eve sinned, God announced their punishment. Pain would be part of childbirth, and sweat equity would be required if mankind intended to eat. Death would limit the future of every human being. In that dark moment, it appeared that the Serpent had won the day, spoiling God’s plan for mankind. But just wait, God warned Satan, Someone’s coming who will “crush your head’” (Genesis 3:15).
Abraham and Sarah arrived at old age with no children to inherit their vast wealth. Over 80 years old, Abraham prepared to leave his possessions to a loyal servant. “No” God said, “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). Don’t despair, Abraham, someone’s coming to give your family a great start, and your family will eventually be a blessing to all mankind. God took Abraham outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:6).
King David planned to build a Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant and become a worship center for the nation of Israel. God told David not to build the temple, promising instead that one of David’s offspring would construct the edifice. But, God said, “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and … I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13-14, NIV).
After division wrecked the nation, when the political leaders of Israel became self-serving, using their power to take advantage of others and feather their own nests, when the religious leaders told people what they wanted to hear instead of delivering God’s truth, and when enemies massed on Israel’s border, the prophet Isaiah knew the situation was so desperate that only God could help. In Isaiah 64:1-4, Isaiah wrote: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies …”
God saw the need. He promised, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Immanuel means “God with us.” Help is on the way!