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Who is Jesus?
Part-2
By Joan A Deering

After Jesus was born the Gospel writer Luke told about some shepherds in a field nearby. [1]

“And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

And the angel said to them ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of Dave (Bethlehem) there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.’”  [Luke 2:8-12]

Of all the people for God to bring the news of the birth of Christ… it was to shepherds in a field!  Doing a little research, I found that God used the analogy of Shepherds throughout scriptures.  In the Old Testament books of Ezekiel and Jeremiah there are many references to the leaders of Israel as bad shepherds. He refers to himself as the good shepherd who will bring back the remnant of Israel.  Jeremiah 23:5-6 refers to the end of this age when Christ, the good shepherd, will come back.

Luke continues:

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.’  [Luke 2:13-14]

The shepherds had to see for themselves what had been just told to them and they rushed to Bethlehem and saw for themselves. They told everyone they saw on the way about it.

“And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds began saying to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary treasured up all these things in her heart.  And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they have heard and seen, just as had been told them.”  [Luke 2:14-20]

How amazing is that!  The shepherds were beyond themselves with excitement because of what had just happened. God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

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2022-02-04 1210