May 10, 2017

Good Morning,

Luke 2:8-13 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

The angel Gabriel had announced the coming births of John and Jesus (1:5-20, 26-38); here a host of angels announced the “good news” of Jesus’ birth and broke out into praise. The angels called the baby Jesus the promised Messiah; the Savior. This type of announcement was a typical proclamation of the birth of a child to the royal family. Augustus had been called a “savior” at his birth. But the announcement of Augustus’ birth would have been first delivered to the members of the Roman Senate.

The privilege of hearing about Jesus’ birth first was given to ordinary shepherds. The angels also gave the shepherds a sign. They would find their Savior in “a manger” a sign of not only Jesus’ identity but also His simple circumstances.

By highlighting the ordinary character of Jesus’ birth, Luke set the stage for the bulk of his narrative: a story describing how Jesus gathered twelve common Israelite men to help Him minister to the ordinary people of Israel.

God still breaks into “ordinary” lives, even ours. Follow His instructions, praising Him for using you to accomplish His will.
This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for sinners, ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as King of kings. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him.

Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger or is He your Lord?