Greetings!
The Scripture says that in His incarnation the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8) “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and [was] made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). All the adjectives and exclamations in language could never say enough about that reality. Yet, paradoxically, history’s most notable birth happened under the most obscure, nondescript, humble circumstances imaginable—Jesus was born in the place where the animals of those staying in a public shelter were kept. No one in the sleepy little village of Bethlehem realized the significance of what had happened, except, to a certain degree, the Child’s parents. But that was about to change; the silence regarding the Savior’s birth would be broken in a most supernaturally dramatic way.
I pray you will be challenged, convicted, encouraged, and blessed by today's devotional to the glory of God.
FOR TODAY, UNTO YOU IS BORN A SAVIOR
Part 6 of 6
The announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ heralds the greatest good news that the world has ever heard. From the narrative of that announcement and its aftermath, five truths about the good news emerge: (1) the proclamation of the good news, (2) the pervasiveness of the good news, (3) the person of the good news, (4) the purpose of the good news, and (5) the picture of the good news.
THE PICTURE OF OF THE GOOD NEWS
Luke 2:15-21 (NASB)
When 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." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 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. 21 And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
How long the angels lingered is not known, but eventually they returned to heaven to resume their praise and worship before the throne of God (cf. Rev. 5:11-14). After "the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds" immediately started discussing the amazing event they had just witnessed, and what they should do next. Although the angel had not specifically commanded them to do so, they excitedly "'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.'” Understandably, they wanted to get to Bethlehem as soon as possible. But since they were responsible for the sheep under their care, they could not just drop everything and leave. Either some of them had to remain with the sheep, or they had to find other shepherds to watch over them. As soon as those details were worked out, the shepherds went at once to Bethlehem.
The shepherds’ response illustrates the first two things involved in a person’s coming to Christ:
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They heard the revelation from God that the Savior had come, and
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They believed that revelation.
In Romans 10:14-15 Paul described those same two steps (in reverse order):
- Romans 10:14-15 (NASB)
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How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
As noted earlier, these shepherds were most likely devout worshipers of the true God, who were looking for the redemption of Israel. Their hearts were prepared so that when they heard the revelation of the Savior’s birth they believed it.
After making provision for their sheep to be cared for, the shepherds "came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby." The traditional site of the field where the shepherds were watching their sheep is about two miles from Bethlehem. Luke does not describe how the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. However, there would not have been many babies born in a small village like Bethlehem on any given night. Certainly news of any birth would have spread rapidly by word of mouth, especially since Mary gave birth in a semi-public place. When the shepherds saw the "Child"... "as He lay in the manger," the angel’s prophecy was confirmed and their faith verified.
The shepherds’ seeking out Mary, Joseph, and Jesus illustrates the next step in the salvation process. Those who truly believe the revelation of God in Christ will come to Him. They will accept His invitation,
- Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
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"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
- John 6:44 (NASB)
- "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." (cf. John 5:40; 6:37, 7:37)
One can only imagine the interesting dialog between the shepherds and Mary and Joseph between Luke 2:16 and 17. The young couple was no doubt overwhelmed by the shepherds’ recounting of the amazing event they had just witnessed. The words of the angel provided further confirmation to Mary and Joseph of who their "Child" was. And Mary’s account of Gabriel’s appearance to her (Luke 1:26-38), coupled with Joseph’s account of his dream (Matt. 1:20-23) could only have increased the shepherds’ amazement.
The angels’ appearance to them and their conversation with Mary and Joseph made the shepherds privy to information no one else had. Their enthusiastic response was to make "known the statement which had been told them about this Child." They went everywhere proclaiming the news that the Savior, Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, had been born. The shepherds thus became the first New Testament evangelists.
Once they had heard, believed, and acted on the truth, the shepherds could not help but tell others about it. Their witness to the good news they had received reveals something else that happens in the life of a newborn soul. The response of those who come to Christ is to tell others about Him. Usually the most bold and passionate people in proclaiming the gospel are the newest Christians; the longer people are saved, the less excited they seem about their salvation, and the less eager they are to share their faith.
But true spiritual commitment is determined by the quality and tenacity of believers’ long-term joy over their salvation. One measure of that joy is how eagerly they share the gospel. Lack of the zeal and passion that compels believers to tell others about Christ betrays a sinful heart of indifference and ingratitude.
The shepherds did not have that problem. The astounding nature of their message, coupled with the eagerness and enthusiasm with which they shared it, caused "all who heard it [to wonder] at the things which were told them by the shepherds."
Thaumazō (wondered) appears frequently in Luke’s writings (cf. Luke 1:21, 63, 2:33; 4:22; 7:9; 8:25; 9:43; 11:14, 38; 20:26; 24:12, 41; Acts 2:7; 3:12; 4:13; 7:31; 13:41). From the very beginning the life and ministry of Jesus Christ caused people to marvel and be amazed. Unfortunately then, as now, much of that amazement produced not commitment, but merely curiosity. When the shepherds heard the good news of the Savior’s birth, they immediately sought Him out. But all that is said of those to whom they witnessed is that they "wondered." After their initial amazement wore off, most of them probably just went on with their lives as if nothing had happened.
In contrast to the shallow, superficial reaction of many who heard the news, "Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." She reflected deeply on the significance of the birth of God’s Son, and on what that birth portended for her and Joseph as His earthly parents. In addition to the normal thoughts that go through the mind of any new mother, Mary had many other things to think about. She considered God’s redemptive purpose, how just as He had promised, He had sent a Savior to redeem His people. But that redemption would come at a fearful cost. As Simeon would later warn Mary,
- Luke 2:34-35 (NASB)
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And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
Years later, Mary would watch her Son die on the cross bearing God’s wrath against sin (John 19:25-30).
- John 19:25-30 (NASB)
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Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He *said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then He *said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, *said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Mary’s deep meditation on the Savior illustrates another aspect of what it means to truly embrace Christ. Salvation’s initial euphoria and excitement deepens into a richer, fuller, more profound understanding of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle John described the Christian life as a progression from being a spiritual child, who only knows God as Father and forgiver of sins, to being a spiritual young man, well grounded in biblical truth, to being a spiritual father, with a deep understanding of God’s person (1 John 2:12-14).
But no Christian will ever be satisfied with the level of knowledge they have attained. Paul, many years into his Christian pilgrimage, yearned to know Christ even better. He expressed to the Philippians his desire to know Him.
- Philippians 3:10 (AMP)
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[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
The shepherds had had an amazing evening, one that forever changed their lives. But life goes on, and eventually the shepherds went back to their flock, "glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them" (cf. Luke 1:64; 5:25-26; 7:16; 13:13; 17:15; 18:43; 23:47; 24:52-53). Their hopes and longings that the Redeemer would come had been realized, and their lives were marked by a newfound attitude of praise and worship. That same attitude characterizes all who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Ps. 22:26; 33:1; 100:4; Acts 16:25), whom Paul describes as “the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:3).
- Psalm 30:4 (NASB)
- Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.
- Psalm 34:1 (NASB)
- I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- Psalm 100:4 (NASB)
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Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
- Hebrews 13:15 (NASB)
- Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for the good news of the gospel,
that You sent Your beloved Son,
the Savior of the world,
to redeem sinners.
Thank You Father,
For Your good news that produces great inexpressible and full joy
in us, joy that is reserved for those of us whose past, present,
and future sins have been forgiven, through our
believing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
the Savior of the world.
Amen.
Proverbs 22:19 (NASB)
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you.
Amen.
