LUKE 2: 8-20
8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
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Lets take a moment and linger over the high lighted words in today's Lenten devotion.
The shepherds, sheep herders were not of royalty, they were considered social and religious outcasts. These men spent their lives around mess, yet the invitation to see Christ was extended to them in the middle of their mess.
For many of us today life has been an experience surrounded by mess. Messy relationships (husbands, wives, siblings,children), messy financial situations (foreclosures, repossessions, unemployment, layoffs, downsizes, etc) and messy tragedies (abuse, rape, incest, loss of love ones, etc.) I agree life can be messy and like the sheep herders you feel like everyone has forgotten about you.
The scripture says God sent his angels with a word to the shepherds; it was a moment of illumination.
Illuminate is another word for light, one of the definitions of the word light in the bible means to make known or to reveal, or to bring understanding.
Gods wants to ILLUMINATE your situation with His light!
Just like the word was accompanied by illumination to the shepherds, God continues to send His word through messengers today to illuminate the hearts of all who will listen and obey. The shepherds heard and obeyed the instructions of the angels and they went to see Jesus.
The shepherds left giving God the glory and praising Him, in addition they now had a testimony about what they had experienced.
Want to know if you have really met Jesus?
Look at who or what you are giving glory to in your life? And are you testifying about what you have seen and heard or is your story all about you and your accomplishments?
Is your story always about the MESS?
God took ordinary men, who were living a life surrounded by mess and introduced them to Jesus. And their story became an extraordinary testimony!
Extraordinary
Can you imagine what God could do with your ordinary?
We too need to set off running and wanting to see more of Jesus.
I am not sure what MESS is going on in your life or the life of a loved one.
I don't know what dream you're holding on to or what miracle you're holding out for, but I offer this exhortation: "Get over and see for yourself what God wants to reveal to you." Then let loose and praise Him for what He is doing in your mess!
Take a moment to read a post from last year called MY ALABASTER BOX. This is another great devotion as you journey through the Lenten season.
Today we will place this devotion on our Lenten tree.
For more information and ideas to bring family devotions during Easter to your dinner table or just for your personal use please Check out this Post Called GOD SEES TO IT. You will find a link for the devotional booklet!
Blessings and I welcome you to this Blog as we trail to the tree this Easter!
