Title: To the Shepherd? (Luke 2:8-14)
Contents
What about the shepherd? (Luke 2:8-14)
It was when US President George Bush went to the Beijing Olympics.
There was a report that American security teams gathered in large numbers and had severe friction with the Chinese public security authorities to thoroughly prepare for the problems that would occur during the president's visit to Beijing.
The same is true when the Son of God, Jesus, comes to this earth.
The members of the heavenly family came out. Although he was born in a manger in a stable, it was a majestic visit from heaven.
The shepherds never prayed to see the birth of Jesus.
I've never been longing for it. They were just shepherds. It was 100% God's will.
It was entirely 100% by God's grace that Jesus first showed the baby to the shepherds.
But when you read the Bible, there is nothing strange about it.
When you see the people God uses, you start with grace.
What about the shepherd?
There will be good reasons for that. I went up to the prayer center on Mount Carmel, stepped on the fallen leaves that had not yet been trampled on, held the tree, and prayed quietly and asked the Lord.
<God!
When Jesus visited the earth, why did he tell the shepherds first?
Why didn't you tell the priest first?
Why didn't you tell people of good faith?
What is the reason?>
However, something peculiar about the shepherds was found in the text. Because the Bible was written with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the reason seemed to be clarified because it was deeply moved by the Holy Spirit.
1. a sincere person
First, the shepherds were faithful. There are some words that stand out in the text.
“At that time shepherds were outside watching their flocks by night.”
There are three words that deserve attention here.
1) outside
2) at night
3) I kept
To those who are sincere, God has rewarded them with meeting Jesus.
2. The One Who Will Seek Jesus
He made known to many people that Jesus came to this earth. It was made known to the people living in Jerusalem through a magi. But they were in a commotion and asked questions, but did not seek Jesus. But the shepherds sought Jesus. The Bible says so.
Today's text tells you this.
“And the angels left and went up into heaven, and the shepherd said to one another, “Now go to Bethlehem and see what has been accomplished, which the Lord has made known to us.” Then went quickly and found a baby who was lying in a manger with Mary and Joseph, and looked for them, and the angel gave them to them. When it was reported, all who heard marveled at what the shepherd was saying, but Mary kept all these words in her heart and pondered it.
Two words stand out.
<Go quickly.>
<Finding and looking at the baby.>
The shepherds looked after what they had heard and heard.
The shepherds looked for what they had seen.
I finally found it. And it was glorified.
3. A person who gave glory to God
The shepherds were the first people God told the shepherds that Jesus had come to this earth.
There is a reason why you told the shepherd in the first place.
They were sincere people. They were outside guarding their flocks at night.
They were people who would find Jesus if they knew Jesus.
And they were people who would give all glory to God.
Today's text ends like this.
“They returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as the shepherd had told them.”
I hope this Christmas will be a Christmas that loves the Lord.