“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. “
Luke 2:17-18

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DECEMBER 12, 2024

The shepherds experienced an unbelievable series of events. They received a message from an angel that the Messiah was born, in Bethlehem. The fields illuminated with the glory of the Lord, and the heavenly host appeared praising God and extoling peace on earth. They rushed into town and found everything just as the angel told them. There was only one thing to do: tell everyone they encountered what happened that night.

The response of all who heard their news is worth noting: they were amazed. Is it possible that these villagers lived with a manifest sensitivity to spiritual things? They had been carrying generations of hope for the Messiah. Does their amazement mean that nobody scoffed, or accused the shepherds of fabricating a story? Did their amazement prompt anyone to go and see the child for themselves?

We too should be amazed at what God does—but are we are too busy to stop and ponder His work around us? Our western materialist worldview leaves no place for the supernatural to intervene in this world. We live with little recognition of a living God. And yet, our worldview in no way negates the reality of the supernatural.

God is, in fact, at work. God is opening hearts of men and women, boys and girls. He is transforming the lives of people who serve Him as Lord and Master. He is motivating His followers to tell their stories. He is calling people to go and cross geographic, linguistic, and cultural barriers to tell people unlike themselves about the love of Jesus. He is leading His followers to give sacrificially to anyone in need.

We should be amazed.

We should be amazed that the infinite God chose to bring you and me out of darkness and into the light. We should be amazed that He remains faithful when we are not. We should be amazed that He forgives our sins, that death is not the end but the transition to life eternal. We should be amazed at what God is doing in the lives of others, and we should be amazed at what He is doing in us.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • When was the last time you were amazed by what God is doing?
  • How could your amazement be communicated for the encouragement of fellow believers?
  • How could it be shared as a message of grace to an unbeliever?

 

Church Reading Plan: Haggai 1; John 2