E100-53

 

The Birth of Christ

Luke 2:1-2:40

My Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover.  Praise God today for the good news that the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born.
• Read = Luke 2:1-40 with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. Why do you suppose the lowly shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth? How would you share the angel’s good news in our time?
•     God is ... What do we learn about God?
•     We are ... What do we learn about people?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do.  Ponder how you could most effectively share the good news of Jesus with a friend or coworker. Then, look for opportunities today to do it.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do.  Lord, I’m grateful for the good news of Jesus. Help me to be able to share it effectively with others.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my notes on Life of Christ Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

#Incarnation

GO TELL IT ON A MOUNTAIN -- "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them  about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which  were just as they had been told." Luke 2:17-20

Having heard the angel’s pronouncement concerning Jesus’ birth, and the angels praising God, the shepherds left their fields and flocks to find Jesus. They  wanted to see for themselves.

After they had seen Jesus, they didn’t keep the amazing circumstances to themselves. As the Gospel of Luke records,  “they spread the word.” Then, they  returned to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God.

No further description is provided about these shepherds in the Scriptures regarding how their lives were impacted by what they had heard and seen. But, it’s  easy to imagine that they were never quite the same. It’s not difficult to believe that they kept telling the story to anyone willing to listen.

Today, we’re not much different than the shepherds were. We, like them, have the opportunity to encounter Jesus. We, like them, can be changed by the encounter.  We, like them, can share the good news about Jesus wherever our journeys take us. We, like them, can praise and glorify God. And we, like them, can return to our responsibilities and roles in life and keep telling others about the King of Kings.

Thought of the Day: As we have celebrate the incarnation of Christ, may we choose not to keep the Good News of Jesus a secret. Out of thanksgiving for what God has done for us and in us, let’s praise and glorify Him, and share the good news with whomever is willing to listen.