The Shepherds Visit Jesus
July 29, 2021
Commentary
When we think of men of the Bible who walked by faith, we often think of men like Abraham who left his home land to follow God into a new land, of Noah who took many years to build a big boat when he had never seen it rain, and Peter who walked on water. We don’t think about the shepherds who were a great example of a walk of faith. The walk of faith by the shepherds involved:
Risk (v. 15) –
Of their jobs. When they returned their master might have replaced them.Of their reputation. No doubt many said they were crazy.Of their life. Faith begins where the familiar ends.Trust (vv. 16-17) – In what God had told them through the voice of the angels.In where they would find the baby Jesus.In whom they are to share their experience of faith with.Example (vv. 18-20) – To those who knew nothing about the Lord. “…all they that heard” (v. 18). To those who knew the Lord. “But Mary kept all these things” (v. 19).To those that they worked with. “.. returned glorifying and praising God” (v. 20).The shepherds rushed to see the infant Christ, and then made known what they had heard concerning the child. Shepherds became the first New Testament evangelists!
Application
Lord, help me to walk by faith! I have spent most of my life walking by sight and not by faith.
Luke 2:15– 20 (NET)
15 When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, that the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they hurried off and located Mary and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. 17 When they saw him, they related what they had been told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were astonished at what the shepherds said. 19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering in her heart what they might mean. 20 So the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just as they had been told.
Illustration: Your Faith Ought to Get You in Trouble at Times
Your faith ought to get you in trouble at times. If everybody thinks you are nuts, you may be. It’s OK if some think you are. You’re probably in trouble if no one thinks you are. (Swindoll in his book of Illustrations and Quotes, p. 195).