Wed.’s Devo - The Shepherd’s Visit

Read Luke 2:8-15 Today we have the shepherd’s account. How appropriate of God to let them in on the Great Shepherd’s birth. They were carefully watching over what Jesus came for: sheep. Jesus called the multitude “sheep without a shepherd” in Matt. 9:36. In Matt. 10:6 Jesus instructed his disciples not to go to the Gentiles but to first go to the lost sheep of Israel. Matt. 10:11 goes on to predict Jesus’ mission: “the Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” So God chooses to show his glory to the meek of the earth who are doing his mission. It takes long hours, dedication, compassion, and patient endurance to be a shepherd. They spend hours laying underneath the stars gazing up to heaven, fighting off wolves, nursing hurt sheep and carrying the weak ones on their shoulders; so what a great choice. They were overwhelmed with God’s glory coming to earth and giving them a heavenly show of beauty and power. I know it scared them half to death, so the angel spoke to them and told them not to fear, because they were bringing them great news. The Savior, Christ the Lord had been born that night in the city of David, and they were invited. Then the angels gave the shepherds a sign: the baby is wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. They of all people knew what a manger was but don’t you know that shook them. What is the Savior of the world doing in a manger? Then, before they could comprehend what the angel had said, the whole sky filled to capacity with angels, all singing: “Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Then they were gone and the shepherds were alone in the field. They all agreed to go to Bethlehem and find this baby in the manger. Lord, today, watch over your sheep and prepare them for what is coming.