Luke 2:10-11 (December Bible Memory Project - Week 3)

 Luke 2:10-11 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (ESV) 

 

Read Luke 2 HERE

 

The most incredible news, brought to the most unexpected audience. 

 

Not only did the Creator of the universe humble himself by becoming man, but He made sure to announce this news, not to the spiritual elite or to the Kings of the land, but to lowly shepherds watching sheep at night. (Not only were they shepherds but they were on the night shift.)

 

The good news of Christ’s birth came from the highest heaven to the lowliest people, shepherds. 

 

Maybe you’re like me growing up hearing this story and many others like it surrounding shepherds, without truly knowing what that meant. Hearing Jesus compare Himself to a good shepherd all throughout scripture, it’s easy to think of it as a good thing not actually knowing why. It is good that Jesus says that he is our good shepherd because it wasn’t a good job. It means he brought himself low, for us. He puts himself in between us and danger, he protects us, he heals us, and he watches over us. He even takes the night shift, for in our darkest hour of need He is there to fend off danger and protect us even from our own oblivion and foolishness. Jesus came to be our good shepherd, this is Good News. 

 

Jesus being our Good Shepherd is a good thing because it’s a bad job. The king of the universe, enthroned on high, becoming our shepherd is the most incredible news ever, and it started with Jesus birth (in an animal shed in a the “no-name town of Nazareth) being announced to lowly shepherds on the night shift. 

 

Just like Jesus working a bad job may be the greatest news ever, we must understand the bad news before we truly understand the good news. Good news is never good if it isn’t first bad news. Let me explain… Picture this: you get fired from your job for not following through on your commitments. A few months go by and your savings have been drained to $0, you’ve sold everything in your house to try to make due, your fridge is empty but that doesn’t even matter because your water and electricity have now been shut off, your house payment is past due, and there is no work available. You have nothing and have nowhere to turn. You get a knock on your door, you slowly get up from your floor and walk towards the door, but when you open it it isn’t someone to evict you from your home, instead it’s the son of the wealthiest man on earth. He explains how he loves and cares for you. He doesn’t offer to pay your mortgage or buy you groceries, instead, he wonders into your house strips himself of his expensive cloths and begins to put on yours. At this point you’re beyond confused and you ask him what he might be doing, he looks at you and says “my father sent me to take your place. I am laying it all down for you, all that I have is now yours. Now go, my father is eagerly waiting for you.” 

 

In this story we see a man who loses everything and is faced with the worst news ever, but then receives the greatest news he’s ever received. So you see, only when you understand and accept that Jesus’ birth is bad news, will you be able to understand and grow an affection for its very good news. The bad news is this, apart from Christ you have nothing and in order for you to have something, Christ had to become nothing for you. The good news is this, Jesus took off his heavenly garments and put on human flesh and died a brutal death on a cross so that you could have everything (eternity with Him in the kingdom of God.) The good news of Jesus is only good news, if you humble yourself to admitting that you need it. 

 

3 take aways:

  • The good news of Christ’s birth came from the highest heaven to the lowliest people.
  • Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
  • The good news of Jesus’ birth is only good news, if you humble yourself too admitting that you need it. 

Older Post Newer Post

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published