When God Says …
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:16-18 KJV).
Responding to the angel’s announcement, the shepherds hurried to find and encounter the Holy Family in Bethlehem. The sense of urgency in their action conveys the overwhelming excitement and reverence they felt in response to the heavenly message they received. After their encounter with the Savior, they felt compelled to share the message they received with others. In doing so, they became the first evangelists to spread the news of the Messiah's birth. Not religious personalities. These shepherds represent you and I. Like them, in our now having encountered the Lord by His words that we are reflecting, we too are now expected to be excited to share these truths to those in our proximity both in flesh and cyberspace.
The shepherds in this account of Luke were the first to hear about the birth of the Lord Jesus, and their astonishment and wonder at the news of the Savior's birth reflect the magnitude of this event. They couldn't contain it without sharing it, as we should too. And many who heard it were in awe and in reverence.
These passages convey and nudge us to see the value of being in the posture of humility, as portrayed by God's choice to inform the shepherds first. They were often considered to be of lowly status in society during this era. However, they were the ones chosen to first receive the news of the birth of the Savior. This serves as a reminder that God's message of hope and redemption is more audible to those who are humble and lowly. Not the powerful and influential. Yet, this is available to all, regardless of their religious and social standing.
Again, apostle Paul affirms this with his reminder and exhortation for us to be conscious of, as the shepherds were, we have nothing to boast. For “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”” (1 Corinthians 1:28-31 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment