And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:8-20
The scriptures leave us with clear answers from the patterns laid out and show us what we ought to be doing. Take our text of today and note:
- What the shepherds heard (verses 9-13)
- What they saw and verified (verses 14-16); and
- That’s what they testified to as true.
What were you told about the Lord Jesus Christ? What did you experience as true? That’s what you speak about. The question is: have you experienced this process? What one does not have, he cannot give. But if you do have and fail to give, ask God to free you from passive disobedience.
Apostle John literally outlined the same and expanded on it with greater clarity (1 John 1:1-3) so we can be restored to fellowship with the living God. We were:
- once children of disobedience walking in the lust and desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:1-8); and now
- We are invited to be reconciled with God (2 Cor. 5:19-21 NLT) and be freed from the wrath to come.
Having found rest and being freed from the torment of the prince of the power of the air, are we concerned enough to tell others of the way out? Beloved, shall we as the shepherds going back to work glorify and praise God for all that we have heard, seen and verified as true and carry the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ in heart and voice! This is our reasonable service, “stepping out of this moment of grace and back into the real world,” bringing to men this message of reconciliation (John 17:15-18). Will you share the moment of grace that changed you? Selah.
Fadeyi abodunrin
The God be the glory