Why God Appeared To The Shepherds? Do You Want To Experience The Same?

In the book of Luke 2:8-20, the author describes in details how the shepherds received the good news directly from the angel of the God. First thing we may ask is, why God gave this message of the birth of Jesus to the group of lowly, ordinary and unnoticed people and not to the dignitaries, wealthy and well known personalities? As we can see in the birth of Jesus, God used an ordinary people like Mary and Joseph; Mary has delivered Jesus not in the palace but in a manger where the animals sleep and eat; the social and economic situations are uncertain, full of worries and economically in distress cause of unfriendly system of Roman Empire's handling the society. The shepherds are one of them and affected also of that societal turmoil that seemingly hope and change for the better are beyond their reach and impossible to come in their life time. The appearance of the angel to the shepherds in verse 9 created fear and seemingly unbelievable experience to them. To see and hear a supernatural like an angel is a very different story for a normal people like the shepherds, about that moment of witnessing and experiencing of the glorious presence of God amazed them and had changed their outlook in life. They became so excited to witness the things that they learned from the teachings in Torah concerning the prophecy of a Messiah that was written hundred of years have passed that all the Jewish people will one day be delivered from the tyranny hands of the the Roman Empire and other issues in their lives (Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7). They can't believe that what was prophesied will come to a reality. To witness a host or big number of angels was a very rare experience these lowly men had. They had an overwhelming joy that no one can explain. And after this encounter, the angels left them and these shepherds excitedly left their flocks and went to Bethlehem to obey what the angel of God told them. When they saw the child wrapped in cloths, they were so overjoyed, praising and glorifying God (verse 17) and they left the child with gladness and new level of excitement and inner strength that they shared this good news of the birth of the Savior of all men including themselves to all they met going back to their place. This account in the lives of the shepherds taught us clearly of the following: First, that the words of God are right and true and he is faithful in all he does (Psalm 33:4). What he promised, he will do it and we can hold on to these; Second, the good news of a Savior has been born to us thousand years have passed. The solution to all man's cares has come already and he is Jesus, the true God who became true man to live and to die to save us all from the power and punishment of sin. Satan has no longer the final say in our lives cause Jesus came here to rescue and to deliver us from the powerful hands of Satan that brought worries, fear, sadness, hopelessness and helplessness in our lives. True meaning and purpose in life are now available to us all through Jesus by accepting him through faith as our Lord and Savior, we will be like the shepherds who were liberated from fear and hopelessness but rather, became joyful; Lastly, the shepherds shared with joy and enthusiasm the good news of love and life to all continuously that others might have these also, for Jesus came to have us life and to have this more abundantly (John 10:10). Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be thankful always that this Christmas season is a reminder that we should be joyful and excited to share the good news to all. Don't be distracted of the materialism around us. Christmas means, sharing the best gift we had through faith in Jesus (John 1:12-13) to all people who have no peace and joy in life (Isaiah 48:22). Let other people be freed from sadness, fear, no direction in life, envy, quarreling and others. Have pity on them as how God had pity on us. Let us follow the example of Jesus that he gave his life to die to give life to the dying world. Are you willing and ready to become a channel of change to one's life and to lead him/her to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus? Ask God in prayer that the Holy Spirit will give you joy, excitement and concern for your loved ones, relatives, friends and contacts. The second coming of Christ is at hand. Wake up and be watchful always! For more biblical messages about Christmas, life, joy, blessings and others, visit our website at https:www.savelifewithjoy.com or go to our blogs at hopeandlifeforyou.com and Eugene "EJ" Juarez or email us at agn623@gmail.com for your suggestions, comment and prayer requests. God bless you always.