Daily Devotional For Wednesday, December 18, 2024

The word of Christmas we are focusing on today is the word WATCH. I’m referring specifically to the shepherds. The Bible says in Luke 2:8-18  that on the night Jesus was born, 

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.(11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (15) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (16) So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (17) When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, (18) and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (NLT).

It’s amazing to me that God chose shepherds to be the first evangelists. He didn’t send His angels to the Chief Priests or religious leaders. They didn’t appear to the political power brokers of the day. God sent His message to a bunch of blue-collar workers — ordinary guys, working at ordinary jobs, just trying to scrape out an ordinary living. We don’t even know their names. They weren’t spiritual giants. They weren’t even in church or a Bible study when it happened. What were they doing? They were watching their flocks at night. In other words, they were just doing their job.

What’s it like to watch a flock of sheep? Pretty boring, I would suspect. What’s it like to watch a flock of sheep by night? Pretty dark and boring, most likely. The last thing you would expect to see would be anything remotely interesting. Certainly not an army of angels telling you to go find a baby lying in a feeding trough. Aren’t you supposed to count sheep to fall asleep? Staying awake must have been the toughest part of their job.

Shepherds weren’t high up on the social ladder in those days. They were at the bottom of the ladder. They were outcasts from respectable society. In fact, their honesty and integrity were so questionable that shepherds were not even allowed to testify in court. Yet the Bible says this in Luke 2:17-18, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child, (18) and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (NLT).

They must have been pretty convincing. But with a reputation like that, why would God choose shepherds to be the first to spread the news? In the Old Testament, the two greatest leaders of Israel started off as shepherds. Both Moses and David were shepherds whom God called to keep watch over His people; His flock. So it seems appropriate that God would choose shepherds to be the first people to find Jesus, the Lamb of God, and to tell others about Him. Or perhaps it was professional courtesy, because after all, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. 

New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton writes this:

“The greatest event in history had just occurred! The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally happened, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news about Jesus is that He comes to all types of people, including the plain, the ordinary, and the outcasts of society. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don’t think that you need extraordinary qualifications—Jesus accepts you as you are” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “Luke,” p. 43).

Questions To Consider

1. Of all people for God to choose to be the very first witnesses and evangelists for the birth of Jesus, God chose shepherds. Based on what you read above, what does this tell you? 
2. This means we all might be the most unlikely “evangelists” for Jesus. You do not have to have a seminary degree. You do not even have to attend a Christian school. These shepherds were chosen out of the darkness of that night to their own surprise and shock. You might even feel the same way, but what does that tell you about being used by God to share about what Jesus has done in your life to others?
3. These shepherds were not college grads. They were not the movers or shakers in their culture. They were at the bottom of the totem pole in rank of significance. Read Luke 2:18 again. Based on Luke 2:18, why do you think so many people were amazed at what the shepherds shared? So,what does that tell you about who Jesus came to 2,024 years ago and why?
4. If you have children or grandchildren, ask them who they think are some of the worst people in the world. Then ask them if they think Jesus came for those people as well? Remind them that no one is outside of God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness and being given a new life in Christ. Help them to see that no one, including you, their loving parents, nor their pastors at church, are better than the people they listed. God is always watching to see who will respond to the Gospel and who will not.

Scripture To Meditate On: John 10:14-15, “I am the good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me— (15) just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep” (NIV).

Prayer To Pray: “Lord, God, thank You that You work through ordinary people to bring the extraordinary news of Your great grace and mercy. Just as You used the shepherds as they kept watch over their flocks to be the first messengers of Jesus’ birth, we ask that You would use us, as we go about our business, go about in our schools, to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to people who need to hear it. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly