Whoa.
I just read Luke 2, in February. Anybody else? I'm really loving reading Luke. It's a nice organized account of the gospel, and according to Luke, it's the story directly from eyewitnesses who saw it all unfold while Jesus was on the earth. That's pretty cool. He also tells his buddy, that he's written it so he would have a chronological account that is the EXACT TRUTH of what he's been told. I like it.
But that's all Luke 1. On to Luke 2.
So Jesus is born, and then angels appear (BAM!) in the sky to some shepherds. Just regular guys at work. They aren't at church, or church camp, or VBS. They're at work. The angels tell the shepherds what's up- that they have to go to Bethlehem, and find this baby. and then (WAY BIGGER BAM!) there are TONS of angels singing praises to God in the sky!
Then it's all gone. (bam.)
Well the shepherds who are still conscious somehow, look at each other, and are like, dude- let's GO! So they take off in a hurry for Bethlehem! They find Jesus, and tell Mary and Joseph what all the angels told them about the baby.
Then they leave, go back to work, and are praising God for all they had heard and seen and what had been told to them.
Okay. I know it's not Christmas, guys, but do you see what I see here?
1. Angels tell Shepherds about Jesus.
***WE are supposed to tell others about Jesus!***
2. The shepherds weren't intentionally seeking God. They were just at work!
***We don't have to choose to minister to only those who are sitting in a pew, on a van to camp or dropped off at Vacation Bible School. We are called to tell people "as we go along" through life!***
3. Shepherds, after hearing about Jesus, book it to go see him!
***The appropriate response, after hearing about Jesus, is to RUN to him!***
4. When faced with Jesus, the shepherds immediately confessed who He is.
***When we realize who Jesus is, it's important that we tell him we know who he is! Just look at Romans 10:9-10. Kind of an important step in choosing to follow Him!***
5. After meeting Jesus, the shepherds were changed. They went away praising God and talking about what they had learned!
***Are you a Christian? Is it because somebody said you are, or because you have encountered the incredible, awesome love of Jesus??? It is far too easy to be a complacent Christian, and sit back and feel secure in our salvation. Folks, we need a fire under us that causes us to PRAISE GOD for our salvation, and talk about what He has done in our lives! We need to grab a hold of everyone around us, and bring them with us to see Jesus. I don't just mean invite people to church. I mean put our NOSES in the Bible, and then share the truth that we see in it's pages with those around us. God has put you RIGHT where you are, with people around you who NEED the Gospel! Won't you give it to them? Father help me open this hole in my face known as my MOUTH and use it to glorify you, and share the truth of the gospel with those around me!***
