The Shepherd's Example

With this being the Holiday season, it is always good to review the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ. While studying the Sunday School lesson I noticed how great an example the Shepherds left for all of us to follow. The text is found in Luke 2: 8-20. In this passage there are three things that became clear that we need to apply to sharing the Gospel today.

The first thing is that they Heard the Gospel. Read the passage below:
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

When the Shepherds first saw the Angel of the Lord they were very afraid. So many people today are intimidated by the truth of the Word of God. They do not even want to hear from God and are afraid. But the shepherds listened to the Angel and heard the good tidings that the Savior had come to earth.

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

The Second thing is that the shepherds Believed the Gospel. Read the following verses:

15When 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."

It is one thing to hear and do nothing. However, the shepherds heard and believed the Gospel. They proved that they believed the message of the Angel of the Lord by going to Bethlehem. They responded with action and that is a true sign of belief.

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

The third thing is that the shepherds Shared the Gospel. Read the verses below:

17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

This I feel is the great challenge of the Body of Christ today. We have not accepted the challenge to share the Gospel. There are many who have not heard the message of the love of Jesus Christ. Here we see that those who heard were amazed. I believe if we would share the Gospel, lives will be changed by the Gospel. The Great Commission is a command that we need to place as the primary effort of the Christian Faith. I hope this post challenges you and this has been the Good Shepherd's Viewpoint.

May God Ever Bless and Keep You!

The Good Shepherd's Viewpoint