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.” and they went with haste and found mary and joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. and when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. but mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. and the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them. [luke 2:15-20]
-they believed God
the immediate response from the shepherds was to go in haste. they didn’t sit in disbelief or confusion. it was of faith, “let us go. . . and see this thing that has happened.” as i evaluate this story, i continue to see so much. how were they so calm? why did they go instead of just admiring? yes, it is written they would find a baby in a manger, but it wasn’t forced upon them to go. they could have ran in fear. but these shepherds must have known God. they must have known the prophecies to some degree. so they believed.
-they proclaimed the good news
this verse doesn’t describe how they found mary and joseph, only that they would find a baby in a manger. but i envision a few stares and questions from the people around them as they searched the stables and asked people if they had seen a baby there. but they were ultimately able to find them. and they told this man and woman, whom they did not know, that their son was the savior, who is Christ the Lord!
again, imagine them telling these people they did not know. would they be considered crazy? would they panic? without knowing the possible response, they proclaimed the good news.
-they returned
to be honest, the most difficult thing for me to grasp is how they could possibly return to their flock. how could someone leave after knowing that this baby was their savior, that he was the Christ? i feel that i would strongly want to stay by them, to stay near to this boy. so why would they leave?
the only thing of clarity comes from Mark 16:15. and he said to them, “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” their call was to share this word and witness the gospel. they did so, and they glorified and praised God. they must have had resolve, confidence in what they were supposed to do and where they were supposed to be.
today, as we get to remember our savior’s birth, let’s remember why he came and what it means. lets pray for belief, to share the gospel to the broken, and to continue our resolve where the Lord has us.
remember his love and mercy, his death on the cross, and our salvation. maybe following the example of the shepherds, glorify his name and praise him today.
~ joe lorsung