Luke 2:8-20 What Did The Shepherds See And Hear?

# 3~ LUKE 2:8-20 WHAT DID THE SHEPHERDS SEE AND HEAR? 12-25-10

Today we’ll read about the shepherds receiving the most wonderful news that’s ever been told.

Most people are not really aware of their lost condition, and when they hear about a Savior coming into the world to make away for man kind to do something about this dreadful situation it usually goes in one ear and out the other especially to the skeptics, as a lot of folks seem to think that because their pretty good people they’ll be alright.

Most every one enjoys what’s become as the Christmas season because of all the hoopla that’s on every hand, there’s Christmas parades, Christmas movies, and most of these are involved with Santa Clause and Rudolph or some type of miracle at Christmas, there’s lots of good eating, even free meals are offered by many helping hands organizations, so most folks enjoy all this activity, but put very little thought into what this time is really all about, and that is “A SAVIOUR HAS BEEN BORN”.

Ø Listen as I read today’s text found in Luke 2:8-20.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. –(Notice it’s dark)

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: (notice; the glory of the Lord caused light to be around them --and they were sore afraid.

and because the glory of the Lord lighted the area it scared these shepherds greatly and rightly so.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, (good news that will bring abundant joy) which shall be to all people. **(Notice not a select few but to all people)

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (CHRISTOS is the Greek word for God’s anointed,--MESSIAH or (māshīaḥ is the Hebrew word for “God’s anointed}

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, (strips of clothes) lying in a manger.

The sign was the rarity of finding a baby wrapped in strips of clothes lying in a manger.

A manger is a cattle-feeding trough, and lets remember that there was no room for them in the inn. All these things suggest poverty, loneliness, and even rejection. God could have created a situation that there would have been a very nice room there waiting for their arrival, but the very beginning of Jesus on earth would be a very humbling experience.

2 Corinthians 7:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we immediately become heirs and joint heirs with Christ, every thing that belongs to Him is also ours, we’re rich because of His poverty when He was on earth.

He came into this world as a human being, God incarnate, He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. God knows about the problems of mankind.

Listen as I read;

Heb.4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Infirmity- means-- feebleness (of body or mind); frailty:— disease, , sickness, weakness.

I want us to be sure to understand that Jesus was tested in {ALL POINTS) as it says here in Heb.4:15 not all ways.

He was not tempted or tested in a lustful way when He was around women like many men are, if this had happened this would have been sinful, He was tempted of the flesh in the fact that He became hungry and thirsty.

Ø JESUS SAID IN

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

So let’s not ever say that Jesus was tempted in all ways.

James 1:13--God cannot be tempted with evil--

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13And suddenly (unexpectedly) there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host **(thousands of angels) praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Some commentators say that this verse is actually saying—Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will.

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15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, (we’re not told how many shepherds there were) Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.