Luke 2:8-20
“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
The Shepherds had just been told about Jesus’ birth by the angels and in the following verses we will see that their OBEDIENCE showed they truly believed what the angels had said.
“15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
First we see they encouraged each other to take action and go to Bethlehem – we see an obedient belief. They didn’t wait, rather they went “straight to” where they were supposed to go.
“16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.”
We see their eagerness again, they “came in a hurry” and they had no doubt that God would be faithful with His promise. They did find Jesus in the manger as the angels had told them.
“17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.”
Lastly we see that the shepherds were so excited about this truth revealed to them that they MADE IT KNOWN. The verse not only says “the shepherds told their friends and family” but it says they made it known! And why wouldn’t they? The angels had previously told them that these were to be “good news of great joy which will be for all the people” (verse 10). Both the angels and the shepherds knew that our broken world truly needs Christ. Let us remember the hope that our Savior brings to the unsaved and let us share this message boldly!
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back; glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
People simply didn’t understand who Jesus is. They didn’t comprehend what the shepherds meant. Yet both the shepherds and Mary trusted in God’s truth and faithfulness. After they had seen God’s promises being fulfilled in Jesus; after they had seen God’s faithfulness and mercy – because He did send Christ as He had said He would; and after they trusted and obeyed; the only thing that the shepherds could do now was glorify God and praise Him.
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