Luke 2:17, 18
17. After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him.
18. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4487
Message: a word, the spoken-word of a living voice; thing spoken
From the Greek word 'rhéma' (pronounced hray'-mah). Most commonly used in the New Testament 'for the Lord speaking His dynamic, living word in a believer to inbirth faith'.
A new King of Israel had been born. Who got the first birth announcements? Shepherds. Blue-collar laborers who worked with their hands taking care of sheep out on the hillsides. Living near the sheep, breathing the same air as the sheep, watching over their flocks in the night. And what did they do after they got over their terror from this unexpected night visit which lit up the skies? These shepherds hurried to the city of Bethlehem, searched for the newborn child and began to praise God when they saw Him. Upon which they immediately left and began to tell everyone what they had just seen and heard.
Something amazing and wonderful had befallen these shepherds and they couldn't wait to tell anyone and everyone all about this wonderful new King who had been born. They were excited to spread the gospel message. Even if no one else believed them, they couldn't stop talking about Him.
And who would believe a bunch of scruffy shepherds? Men who smelled like they'd been living outdoors among animals. Who deigned to hear what a bunch of shepherds had to say? Starting rumors about the Messiah being born in a barn? That couldn't be the Messiah all of Israel had been waiting for. The shepherds were delusional. But let them rave on about their King; who's going to believe them anyway?
Perhaps, if it had only been shepherds who saw Jesus, who heard angels, the story would have eventually faded away. But we know that didn't happen. Here it is 2022, nearly 2000 years since He first arrived in Bethlehem and people are still talking about Jesus Christ the Messiah of the whole world. People are still spreading the gospel message after receiving it. People are still hearing voices sing praises to the Most High King of Kings.
I'm one of those people. I'm a servant, a praiser, a worshiper, a seeker, and a finder.
I'm here to tell you about God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ, whom He sent to this earth to deliver both Jews and non-Jews from the bonds of sin and oppression.
God's plan of salvation began in the garden of Eden and it will end when God's enemies are destroyed at the end of this world. Not a fairy tale. Not a story. Fact.
Genesis 3:15
"And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
John 3:16-18
16. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
18. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
And what is the prayer of we who preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified for those who have yet to believe? "Lord, save them, deliver them, bring them near to Your heart. Open their eyes to see You that they may open their hearts to receive You. As Your Word says in Revelation 3:20, You stand at the door of our hearts and knock, hoping someone will let You in. This we pray: that someone will let You into their hearts, giving You control, handing You the reins to lead and direct us, over our lives. Whatever it takes, Lord, whatever it takes. We pray Your will be done in their lives."
In Jesus' Beautiful Name,
Amen
I SPEAK JESUS by Here Be Lions
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