When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15, NIV 1984).
My Musings – What would cause shepherds to stop “keeping watch over their flocks at night?” (Luke 2:8, NIV 1984). Something more important. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9–12, NIV 1984). For when they returned, it was likely they would find the sheep “scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd.” (1 Kings 22:17, NIV 1984). As sheep are prone to do. Not unlike us.
But this was not just any baby, although all babies (born and unborn) are precious in God’s sight. This was “Christ the Lord.” In Hebrew, Mashiach, the Messiah, God’s Anointed One. Long-awaited. Yes indeed, something (rather someone) more important. I suspect even “lowly” shepherds were aware that Bethlehem, the “town of David” was the place to see Him.
My Advice – “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word.” (Luke 2:16–17, NIV 1984).
Today, while we are “keeping watch” for the Messiah’s return, as we are told He will, let’s not behave “like sheep without a shepherd.” Rather, let’s make sure that we fulfill our commission to “spread the word.” The Gospel, “good news of great joy that [is] for all the people.” If only they will believe.
The Brew Is A Musing 