9.12.2009

The First Missionaries

Luke 2:8-20
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.10 And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.


I have recently immersed myself into the gospel according to Luke. I am excited about the sharpness of Luke's record of Jesus' activity. Looking at the above portion of Scripture from the infamous story of the birth of Jesus something struck me.

The shepherds were some of the first messengers of the Good News. I don't think I've ever heard this piece of the Christmas story exposited. This is crucial. How important it is to realize that Jesus even greatly affected lives AS A BABY!

1) The shepherds HEARD the good news of a Savior, the Christ.

2) The shepherds had a REVELATION of their Savior from the Lord and they eagerly desired to be as close to Him as quickly as possible.

3) As soon as they witnessed Jesus, they immediately WENT AND TOLD OTHERS about Him.

4) When they returned from their mission, they continued to GLORIFY AND PRAISE GOD. This was their TESTIMONY.


As believers & Christ-followers, has Jesus, our Savior, been revealed to us? Have we heard the Good News? Are we compelled to share that Good News with those around us? Do we glorify and praise God because of what we have seen and heard?

Be encouraged. The Gospel has the power for life, from death.


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