AWE + WONDER - HE CAME FOR EVERYONE
HE CAME FOR EVERYONE
Have you ever had the thought, “Jesus came for that person, but there is no way He came here for me.”
We all have if we’re honest! It can be so easy to believe for someone else but then we have a difficult time when it comes to accepting it for ourselves.
Reading in Luke we see something so significant that if we aren’t paying attention, we may miss it.
In Luke 2:8-20 we read the account of the angels visiting the shepherds in the middle of the night. The angels didn’t visit anyone else when Jesus was born, but the shepherds. Why does this matter? Shepherds were seen as lower class. They lived nomadic lives caring for the flocks entrusted to them. They were not who you would think the angels would have high on their announcement list. Yet there in a field in the middle of a dark night, the sky was illuminated by hosts of angels singing and declaring the arrival of Jesus to some dirty, tired shepherds.
Luke 2:8-20 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
The shepherds were so moved by the announcement they ran to see for themselves, and it says they glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard.
Again, why is this significant? Because God does everything intentionally. The angels appeared to the shepherds that night to let them know they were included in the story. Jesus arrived for them, who could do nothing for Him, just as much as He arrived for the wisemen who brought expensive gifts, and all the people in between.
If you find yourself this Christmas feeling unworthy of the love of Christ; unworthy of a Savior, you’re in good company. The shepherds had to have thought the same! But Jesus was born into this world for all of us no matter our background, our past, the mistakes we make or the choices we have made. He loves you! We respond to the wonder of His love by living our lives to worship Him and Him alone. Let the lives we live bring glory to His Name.
Action: Sit quietly with the Lord every day this week and thank Him for His love. Thank Him for sending His only Son here just for you. Think on all the ways God has been faithful in your life and set your hope on who He is. We believe your faith will grow this week as you think about these things!
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Romans 5:8, John 4:24
We all have if we’re honest! It can be so easy to believe for someone else but then we have a difficult time when it comes to accepting it for ourselves.
Reading in Luke we see something so significant that if we aren’t paying attention, we may miss it.
In Luke 2:8-20 we read the account of the angels visiting the shepherds in the middle of the night. The angels didn’t visit anyone else when Jesus was born, but the shepherds. Why does this matter? Shepherds were seen as lower class. They lived nomadic lives caring for the flocks entrusted to them. They were not who you would think the angels would have high on their announcement list. Yet there in a field in the middle of a dark night, the sky was illuminated by hosts of angels singing and declaring the arrival of Jesus to some dirty, tired shepherds.
Luke 2:8-20 “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
The shepherds were so moved by the announcement they ran to see for themselves, and it says they glorified and praised God for all they had seen and heard.
Again, why is this significant? Because God does everything intentionally. The angels appeared to the shepherds that night to let them know they were included in the story. Jesus arrived for them, who could do nothing for Him, just as much as He arrived for the wisemen who brought expensive gifts, and all the people in between.
If you find yourself this Christmas feeling unworthy of the love of Christ; unworthy of a Savior, you’re in good company. The shepherds had to have thought the same! But Jesus was born into this world for all of us no matter our background, our past, the mistakes we make or the choices we have made. He loves you! We respond to the wonder of His love by living our lives to worship Him and Him alone. Let the lives we live bring glory to His Name.
Action: Sit quietly with the Lord every day this week and thank Him for His love. Thank Him for sending His only Son here just for you. Think on all the ways God has been faithful in your life and set your hope on who He is. We believe your faith will grow this week as you think about these things!
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Romans 5:8, John 4:24
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