ListenDaily – 08 December 2010: Christmas Surprise #3
Scripture: Luke 1:35-46, 56
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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Another very familiar part of this beloved story, is that of the shepherds. We know that the angels appeared to them and they rushed off to see the Babe in the manger.
Okay...but what then?
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
And what is the significant 'Christmas surprise' here?
It seems to me, that we have the idea that when Jesus began His ministry, some thirty years later, that He kind of came out of nowhere. Wild man John was preaching that the Messiah's time was near, but did anyone have any reason to believe him?
Well, maybe. You see, thirty years earlier, as much younger men, these shepherds had seen this glorious sight, and had been told, by angels, that this was the 'Savior...Christ the Lord'. And they saw that Baby with their own eyes. And 'they spread the word'.
So maybe, just maybe, they had spent the next thirty years waiting for Him. They had met Mary. They had met Joseph. So when Jesus revealed His identity, there was a group of old shepherds, and those whom they had told, who must have said "Yes! Finally! His time is here!"
Among a sea of doubters and unbelievers was a core of those who knew -- and their friends that they told, and their children that they told – and who were a gift to Jesus, from His Father.
Questions:
1. Have you ever thought about what these shepherds thought and did in the years following Jesus' birth?
2. What do you think of the perspective presented here?
3. Do you think Jesus began His ministry with a core group of believers?
May we continue to appreciate His plans and preparations for us. Pastor Jim
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