The Glory of Heaven Revealed
December 14, 2025
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Luke 2:15-20
There’s an old story—one of those tales passed down through small towns and family circles—about a man who spent nearly his entire adult life searching for a treasure box. His grandfather had told him, “Somewhere on this land, buried deep, there’s a box filled with everything you’ll ever need. It’s yours—if you’re willing to search for it.”
Well, that was all the man needed to hear. He became absolutely convinced he was destined to find this treasure. And he searched with fierce determination. He bought maps. He bought tools. He bought metal detectors—three of them, because the first two “obviously had defects.” He dug holes so deep the neighbors were convinced he was either building a pool… or hiding a crime scene.
Every free moment he had—mornings, evenings, weekends—he was searching. His hands became calloused, his back stiff, his yard a landscape of craters and dirt piles. And every time he failed, he just said, “Well, I must have been close. I’ll start over.”
Years passed. And still—no treasure box. One day, worn out and frustrated, he plopped himself down under the old oak tree at the edge of the property. His boots were muddy. His hands blistered. His spirit defeated. He muttered to himself, “Maybe Grandpa was wrong. Maybe I’ve been searching for something that was never there.”
In his exhaustion, he leaned back against the tree and something felt strange. The ground beneath him wasn’t level. There was a slight raise—barely noticeable. Curious, he brushed away the leaves and then some dirt dirt, and there it was. A rusted, metal corner. Right under the place where he had collapsed in defeat.
You could almost hear his heart stop. The treasure box was buried directly beneath the tree where he had been resting all these years. He had searched fields, hillsides, ravines, and gardens, but the treasure had been closest at the place he least expected. He had spent a lifetime digging for something that had been near him the entire time.
After all the noise, all the activity, all the effort, the treasure was found not in the dramatic places, but in the quiet place. Not in the far corners, but right beneath him. And the moment he opened it, the treasure became his—not because he was brilliant or skilled, but simply because he finally looked in the right place.
That treasure-box moment is exactly what happened to the shepherds on that hillside. All their lives they had lived in the fields—same routines, same scenery, same ordinary world. If anyone understood digging through the dirt of life, it was them. But when the angels appeared, God wasn’t inviting them to start another search. He wasn’t telling them to wander around the countryside hoping to stumble onto the Messiah. He gave them a revelation—a clear, unmistakable direction.
The treasure wasn’t “out there somewhere.” He was right there in Bethlehem. The shepherds knew immediately what to do with that revelation. They didn’t analyze it, debate it, or delay it. They didn’t stay in the field digging for meaning or waiting for more confirmation. Their hearts ignited, their spirits awakened, and their feet started moving. Scripture says they looked at one another and declared the most beautiful response to divine revelation:
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:15–20)
I. THE SHEPHERDS — A MODEL OF KNOWING JESUS
The shepherds show us what happens when God reveals Himself. When heaven’s glory broke into their ordinary world, they didn’t sit still—they moved. Revelation always demands a response. These simple men weren’t theologians, scholars, or priests. They had no formal training, no religious credentials, no spiritual résumé. But what they did have was a heart awakened by the glory of God. When the angels disappeared, the shepherds didn’t remain in the field discussing what they had seen. They didn’t analyze it, debate it, or wait for further confirmation. Scripture says they spoke to one another and said, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem now” (Luke 2:15). The glory of God stirs urgency. It kindles spiritual hunger. It creates holy restlessness. The shepherds didn’t merely hear about Jesus—they went to Him.
When they arrived, Luke says they “found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger,” just as God had promised. God always reveals Himself in ways the humble can find. And once the shepherds encountered the living Christ, their lives were forever changed. They worshiped. They witnessed. They returned “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20). This is what happens when the glory of God touches a human heart: you move toward Jesus, you behold Him, and you cannot help but speak of Him. The shepherds remind us that knowing Jesus is not passive—it is a pursuit. Once you see His glory, distance becomes impossible; you want to draw near. Revelation leads to adoration. Encounter becomes transformation. And ordinary people become messengers of extraordinary grace.
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
There are some key insights into the Shepherd’s response we need to see (Philippians 3:7–11).
A. They Didn’t Stay in the Field
After the angels left, the shepherds looked at one another and said, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem now” (Luke 2:15). That was their “let’s go” moment—the moment when revelation demanded movement. The field was the place where the message came, where the glory of God lit up the night, where heaven broke silence and spoke to the lowly. But the field was not the place to stay. The glory was revealed there, but the Savior was not there. The field was the invitation, not the destination. So the shepherds didn’t build a shrine to the experience or linger in the moment; they ran toward the Messiah. They said, in essence, “We’ve heard enough to move, and we’ve seen enough to seek. Let’s go.”
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)
And that is always the pattern of true faith. When God speaks, you go. When God reveals Himself, you move. This same spirit is reflected later in Jesus’ own words when He says to would-be followers, “If anyone would come after Me…” (Luke 9:23).
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
Revelation is never meant to be observed from a distance. It calls for response, obedience, pursuit, and nearness. The shepherds teach us that spiritual encounters are not places to camp out; they are catalysts that propel us toward Christ. The field is where we hear Him. Bethlehem is where we meet Him. The glory awakens us—but it is the Savior Himself who transforms us.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
Revelation created urgency. The moment the heavens closed and the angels withdrew, the shepherds didn’t sit back down in the grass and say, “What an experience.” They moved. Because when God reveals Himself, you cannot stay where you are. Knowing about Jesus will leave you sitting in the field—talking about the experience, analyzing the moment, admiring the message from a distance. But truly wanting to know Jesus, truly desiring an encounter with the Living Messiah, will always move you toward Him. Revelation becomes invitation, and invitation demands response. The shepherds didn’t stay at the place where the glory appeared—they went to the place where the Savior was. And that is what happens in every genuine encounter with Christ: information isn’t enough, proximity isn’t enough, emotion isn’t enough. When you truly see His glory, when you sense His nearness, when you realize who He is, you cannot remain where you are. You rise, you seek, you go. Because revelation always births pursuit—and knowing Jesus is always a journey toward Him, never away.
B. They Found Him “Just as It Had Been Told Them”
Luke emphasizes this moment so intentionally: they found Him “just as it had been told them.” Not almost. Not approximately. Not generally. Not “something like what the angel described.” No—exactly as God said. This is not a throwaway detail. This is a revelation about the heart of our God. He is not vague. He is not cryptic. He is not playing cosmic hide-and-seek with those who genuinely seek Him.
God does not hide from those who want to find Him. Every hungry heart is satisfied in Him. Every honest seeker is led by Him. Every humble soul is drawn to Him. He is the God who wants to be found—and He always reveals Himself according to His Word.
Know this: God has never asked His people to wander blindly. He gives signs, He gives Scripture, He gives revelation—and He expects His people to recognize what He has already made clear. The shepherds did not find Jesus through guesswork or superstition. They found Him because they believed the message and followed the light God had given.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
And beloved, this is the same call on the Church today. We are living in a world overflowing with confusion—religious confusion, moral confusion, prophetic confusion. People are searching for meaning in all the wrong places, digging holes in every direction, chasing voices that contradict the Word of God. But discernment begins where the shepherds began: take God at His Word, trust what He has revealed, and move toward it in obedience. The dangers of faith arise when we try to insert our own systems, values, and preferences into the Perfect Word. That’s the heresy and apostasy we see today.
Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day not because the signs were unclear, but because they refused to see what God had already made plain.
And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:3)
The shepherds stand in direct contrast. They heard God speak, they recognized the sign, and they acted immediately. No hesitation. No debate. No delay. Discernment is not mysterious. It is simply believing God enough to follow what He says.
Just as the shepherds found Jesus exactly where God said He would be, so the signs of our times are unfolding exactly as Scripture said they would. God is not hiding—He is revealing. And the question for us today is the same as it was for them: Do we have the humility and the urgency to follow the Word of God where it is pointing or are we unwilling to let go of what is keeping us from him to grab ahold of the truth?
C. Knowing Him Leads to Worship and Witness
After seeing Jesus, the shepherds did exactly what every awakened heart does when it encounters the Living God. Luke says they worshiped Him. These rough, uneducated men—men who smelled like smoke and sheep—fell into the purest posture any human can take: wonder, awe, adoration. They didn’t need a choir. They didn’t need a worship leader. They didn’t need to be coached or coaxed. One glimpse of the newborn King and their hearts exploded in praise.
And they told everyone about Him. They didn’t return to the field saying, “That was nice.” They didn’t keep the revelation to themselves. They ran into Bethlehem declaring the greatest news ever heard. Bethlehem didn’t have to beg for evangelists—God produced them in a moment through worship. When you truly encounter Jesus, your tongue becomes as eager as your heart. Worship becomes witness.
for our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. (Isaiah 25:1)
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. (Psalm 71:8)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23)
Then Scripture says they returned glorifying and praising God—not for a moment, not for a Sunday morning, not for a sentimental season, but with a transformed way of living. They returned to the same fields, the same sheep, the same ordinary world—but not the same hearts. Ordinary men with extraordinary joy. Ordinary lives filled with extraordinary glory.
Beloved, you cannot behold the glory of Jesus and remain silent. You cannot meet the Savior and walk away unchanged. You cannot draw near to the King of kings and pretend nothing happened. When you know Him—truly know Him—worship becomes the natural overflow of your soul. Witness becomes the unstoppable rhythm of your life. Praise becomes the soundtrack of your days. And the glory of Christ becomes the fire in your bones.
• This is not a moment for casual Christianity.
• This is not a moment for polite religion.
• This is not a moment for lukewarm hearts.
This is the moment to worship the King.
• To adore Him.
• To proclaim Him.
• To glorify Him.
• To lift your voice and your life in honor of the One who stepped out of heaven, wrapped Himself in flesh, and came close enough to save you.
Just like the shepherds, when you see Jesus, you go from spectators to worshipers… from worshipers to witnesses… and from witnesses to people who carry the glory of God everywhere you go.
II. HOW DO WE KNOW JESUS MORE?
Knowing Jesus is intentional. There is a yearning in somewhere in your heart. No one drifts into intimacy with Christ. No one wakes up one morning accidentally walking in the power of the Spirit, overflowing with worship, anchored in truth, and ablaze with holy passion. Spiritual depth does not happen by default; it happens by desire. It happens when a man or woman says, “Lord, I want to know You more today than I did yesterday.” The shepherds didn’t casually stroll toward Bethlehem—they ran with purpose. Revelation stirred their hearts, but intentionality moved their feet. And this is true for us: God reveals Himself, but we must respond. The God who comes near in grace calls us to come near in devotion.
Intentionality is the difference between a Christian who knows about Jesus and a Christian who knows Jesus. One hears sermons; the other hears the Shepherd’s voice. One attends services; the other encounters His presence. One glances at Scripture; the other gazes until glory warms the soul. One prays occasionally; the other prays because he hungers for Christ more than for breath itself. Knowing Jesus is not a matter of convenience—it is a matter of commitment. It means you choose Him when the world distracts you, when your schedule pressures you, when your emotions push against you. It means you pursue Him not only when you feel inspired but especially when you don’t. Because the pursuit itself shapes the heart.
Like the shepherds, say: “Let us go now.” Don’t wait. Scripture is not a textbook— it is a window into Christ. Every page whispers His name. Knowing Jesus is not occasional— it is continual. Obey What He Reveals - Obedience deepens intimacy.
CONCLUSION — THE GLORY THAT CAME CLOSE
On that night in Bethlehem, heaven didn’t whisper—it shouted. Glory didn’t stay distant—it drew near. God didn’t reveal a doctrine—He revealed His Son. Jesus wasn’t placed in a palace—He was placed within reach. The shepherds weren’t given information—they were given a Savior. And they didn’t stay in the field—they ran to Him.
The glory of Christmas is not merely that a Savior came— but that the eternal Word became flesh so you could know Him too.
