Wednesday-December 11
At the birth of a baby there is a hospital room full of
people. Father is present along with his worried mother-in-law. The new fathers
mother is also present feeling a little uncomfortable not for sure if her
daughter-in-law is comfortable with her in the birthing room. Siblings of the
new born are running around touching everything constantly being corrected by
the nurses. Grandfathers are trying to stay in the background out of the way of
all of the women who are present. Sisters, aunts and girl friends of the new
mother are each sharing their war stories of their own pregnancies each making
sure that theirs was more dramatic than the others. Tears of joy and the sound
of laughter are close to the ears of everyone near. Celebration is happening!
Hearts are light! Everyone is there to see the new born child!
Who saw Jesus when He came? Who had the privilege of
experiencing the celebration of the moment when the baby Jesus was born? Joseph,
the step-father was there but we're not for sure anyone else was. Yet before
the night was over others would come.
Who were the others? It was shepherds who were watching over
their sheep at night.
Luke 2:6–20 (KJV 1900)
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the
field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will
toward men.
15And 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
Beth-lehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made
known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and
the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her
heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Shepherds are keepers of sheep. They can be seen from the
earliest days of man. The second son of Adam, Abel, is called a "keeper of
sheep" (Genesis 4:2). The occupation was highly regarded in the lives Abraham
(Genesis 12:16) , Isaac (Genesis 26:14) and Jacob (Genesis 30:31-40) the patriarchs
of Israel. The greatest leaders of the Old Testament, Moses (Exodus 3:1) and
David (1 Samuel 16:11) were known as shepherds. After Israel settled in the
promised land becoming less transit they begin to cultivate crops. The position
of the shepherd fell out of favor and was transferred to the younger sons and
slaves (1 Samuel 16:11-13).
Though the position was humble it was extremely valuable
because of the wealth that sheep represented. At times it could be boring thus
its position needed individuals who were known to be diligent. Because their occupation
demanded travel to lead the sheep to lush pastures and water and it would cause
them to have to leave the comforts of home. This would cause their meals to be
simple and at times their days and nights would be filled with harsh weather. Their
eyes and ears where needed to protect the sheep from the meat eating creatures
of the night along with protecting them from the human thieves. Tenderness was
a grace that they needed to possess to be able to care and nurture the hurting
sheep of the fold. Basis math skills were need to be able to count the sheep
and make sure none were lost due to the sheep's nature of straying.
It was these common individuals, the shepherds, who were
given the wonderful opportunity of attending the birth of the Lord! The birth
announcement would come to others also but by different means. Some would receive
a star but they would receive it through the voices of angels!
The darkness of the night was spilt by the brightest of
lights as the angelic host arrived. The sounds of heaven broke the stillness of
the countryside!
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2:9)
Fear gripped their hearts! The usual fight against sleep
disappeared! They covered their faces to protect their eyes! What was
happening? A voice was heard saying:
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:10)
Then suddenly the earth was filled with the sound of the
thunder of voices crying in unison:
14Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will
toward men. (Luke 2:14).
Then the stillness of the night returned and they looked at
each other wide eyed! What was that? What did it mean? What were they to do?
The statement of the angel was mind shaking!
There are five questions to answer when giving proper
information of a subject. The angel's announcement was filled with the proper information.
Who is it about? Messiah
What happened? A baby had been born!
When did it take place? This
day
Where did it take place? In
the city of David
Why did it take place? To give the earth peace and to give
good will to mankind
Yet the announce contained more information, a marker of
which baby the angel was talking about. It possessed a description of the
baby's clothing and bassinet. The bassinet, a manger, gave a general idea where
you would find the birthing location. It would be near a feeding place for
animals.
As the shepherds describe and discuss the event between each
other a question begins to be formed in the group? What are we to do with this
announcement? The angel had said, You shall find the baby... This is a
command that we should go to where the Messiah or baby is. Jehovah wants us
there!
What causes them to one of the groups that saw Him when He
came? Obedience to the spoken word. It was not their position in life neither
their own personal greatness. They were there because when they were given an opportunity
and a word they obeyed. You will see great things in God when you obey His Word.
Your Response:
Take time to slowly read and mediate on the scriptures below. Examine
yourself. Do you obey God when given the opportunity? When God speaks to you
through the preaching do you go to the altar and repent? When He challenges you
to change attitudes and actions do you obey? Many great blessing are lost because
we do not respond in obedience to God. One
writer said it like this: It's not the opportunities we lack it's as usual
we fail to ACT! The lack of trust often effects our ability to be obedient
to God. Fill you mind with scriptures that build you faith. Then take the steps
of obedience. Determine today to obey God in all things, at all times and at
all places!
Exodus 19:5 (KJV 1900)
5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my
covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for
all the earth is mine:
Deuteronomy 11:1 (KJV 1900)
1Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his
judgments, and his commandments, alway.
John 15:14 (KJV 1900)
14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 14:15 (KJV 1900)
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
2 John 6 (KJV 1900)
6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This
is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk
in it.
Luke 11:28 (KJV 1900)
28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the
word of God, and keep it.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV 1900)
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that
they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV 1900)
22And Samuel said, Hath the Lord
as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of
the Lord? Behold, to obey is
better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.
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