July 20, 2019 (Saturday)
Can it be possible that 50 years have passed since the day American astronauts walked on the moon? Today is that awesome anniversary. Men walked on the moon on July 20, 1969.
July 20 fell on a Sunday in Rockport, Texas that day. Our church had evening services that were scheduled for 7:00 p.m. I remember Pete Moss coming up to me before the service began that evening, and reminding me of the moon landing that was to take place. He wanted to make sure that I closed the service in plenty of time for the folks to get home and settle in to watch and listen as the moon landing was presented on T.V.
People around the world watched and listened as three men made their way from Earth to the Moon, a heavenly body, landed on it and walked on it. Later, when they returned home, they were welcomed with celebrations.
Think with me for a moment. Astronauts went to a place away from Earth. Jesus went from his Heavenly home to Earth. Astronauts walked on the moon. Jesus walked on the earth. “Spacemen” talked to earth. Jesus talked with his Father in Heaven. Our men on the moon came safely home. Jesus did not go home without dying on the Cross and rising from the dead for our salvation. Astronauts came home with a new view of their earthly home. Jesus returned to Heaven giving the angels a new view of him. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior.. (Acts 5:31). After those men on the moon came back to earth, other men followed in their footsteps. Jesus returned to Heaven and we do not look for someone else to come from Heaven and walk in his steps here on earth. No, we are looking for Jesus himself to return. He will come back and take his children home to heaven. One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, one day the skies with His glory will shine, wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing, glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
Praise the Lord! As the apostle said, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”
J. Wibur Chapman
1908
Chorus:
Living, He loved me;
Dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming–O glorious day!
Verses:
One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin–
Dwelt among men, my example is He!
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He.
One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He.
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore.
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!