Nov 22, 2017
By Willy Villalpando
It’s your average Wednesday evening. You are walking around when a group of creatures appears in front of you and says, “Don’t be afraid, I have good news for you that will bring joy to so many people.” Well, if you’re anything like me you turn around and run (quickly) in the other direction! But I guess that’s one reason why I wasn’t one of the shepherds on the night Jesus was born.
What they did really astounds me — an angel appeared before them and said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12) Then a group of heavenly hosts burst into song singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) And what did the shepherds do? They, without question, responded with, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15b).
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I seriously can’t believe it! I mean they were in the middle of their work, in the middle of a night of herding sheep, when a creature told them to go because God said to — and they went!
I’m an assistant in preschool right now, and if an angel suddenly appeared in front me and told me to leave, I highly doubt my first instinct would be to actually go! But that is what they did. They left immediately to find the baby waiting for them in the manger. But then the story gets even better — the shepherds did not merely stare in awe at what they had found. They rejoiced! How? They rejoiced in action! Luke 2:17-18 tells us “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” They didn’t choose to rejoice in silence. They went and told everyone about the incredible news they had received!
We need to be like the shepherds. Rejoice! You are a part of God’s chosen people — now REJOICE IN ACTION! Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Before Jesus could speak to them, the shepherds were already doing what Jesus commanded us all to do! See why I said what they did was so incredible?
So now it’s your turn! How are you going to “Rejoice in Action”?
