THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL

Continuing our look at Luke's account of the Christmas story...

Luke 2:15-16 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

The shepherds didn’t waste any time, they decided to go immediately to Bethlehem to see this wonderful child whose birth the angels of God had announced to them.  The fact that Luke says they came with haste and found the baby and his parents indicates to me that this might have been the very place that these shepherds kept their flocks when not grazing them in the fields.

Luke 2:17-20 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

After seeing with their own eyes the confirmation of the message the angel had given them, they couldn’t wait to spread the news.  Research indicates that shepherds were not known to be trustworthy and were not allowed to testify in the courts.  It seems, however, that their passion concerning what they had experienced was sufficient to cause those who heard their testimony to consider what they said with wonder and amazement.

Evidently, the shepherds first told their story to Mary and Joseph; and Luke tells us that Mary basically memorized what they had said and thoughtfully considered all they told her.  I am sure that she was keeping a mental record at the least of all the miraculous events that surrounded the birth of her child.  I am sure they would serve to strengthen her as her Son began His ministry and as she watched Him suffer on the cross.

The shepherds couldn’t wait to share the good news of the birth of the Savior.  During this Christmas season it would be good for every person that professes Jesus as Savior to examine his or her own heart in light of their enthusiasm.  Are you just as excited to share the good news of the gift of salvation that is available to every person?

We live in a time that the scripture identifies as “the last days.”  Jesus is coming soon to take His bride home to the Father.  Those left behind because of their unbelief will face enduring the most horrendous times ever experienced by those on planet earth, a time that would end in the destruction of all flesh were it not for the return of Jesus as King. 

Matthew 24:21–22 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

My prayer is that if you have found your way to this blog, you will heed the truth of scripture that is presented here.  All you have to do is admit before God that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and place your faith in God’s provision for you in the person of His Son Jesus.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God….”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 “I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures….”