“SHEPHERDS KEEP WATCH”

Luke 2:8-20

December 16, 2007 Pastor Harpold

God rejoices like a good shepherd who finds his sheep (Luke 15:4-7). In the Middle East shepherds love their sheep and call them by name. They spend long hours under the hot sun together. To a good shepherd the loss of a sheep is more than a financial loss; it is also a personal loss that brings grief and sorrow to the shepherd's heart. Worry, apprehension, and even fear would fill a shepherd's heart when he knew that one of his sheep was not in the fold. It was an occasion of great joy to rescue a helpless sheep who had fallen behind the flock, dropped in a hole, or had drifted away. He would put the sheep on his shoulder and rejoice in the privilege of carrying him to the safety of the sheepfold. Jesus concludes from this story that God experiences more joy over the homecoming of one wayward sheep than He does over ninety-nine self-righteous people who feel no need for God's grace and mercy. God rejoices greatly over just one who comes to Him.

It was to the shepherds in the field that the angels announced the good news of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world.

Many people think of Christianity as being some good advice for those who want to do good. There is a great deal of difference between good advice and good news. The gospel is Good News.

Benjamin Franklin is famous for giving much good advice. The angels, the shepherds, and the apostles are famous because they communicated the good news of what God did and wants to do through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came into the world to communicate good news from God to all people.

From time to time we read and hear about good news that has come to others. The angels announced some good news that had the potential of producing great joy for all the people. Up until this point Jewish people thought that their God belonged in a special way to them alone. They did not recognize that their God was also concerned about the Gentiles, the pagans, and the outcasts.

The Good News of Jesus is for all the people. Luke's gospel is the gospel for the underdog, the outcast, and the underprivileged. In Nazareth Jesus preached the Good News to the people. He announced, "He hath anointed me to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18).

To the sick Jesus came with health (Luke 4:40). To the demon possessed He came as the liberator from demonic powers (Luke 4:41).

To the leper who was unclean and untouchable and consequently very depressed, Jesus brought cleansing, health, and wholeness (Luke 5:13). To the paralytic Jesus forgave his sins and then enabled him to walk (Luke 5:25).

To Levi, the hated tax collector, Jesus extended a gracious invitation that lifted him from obscurity to significance and prominence when Jesus said, "Follow me" (Luke 5:27).

To the woman of the city who was a great sinner, Jesus granted the gift of forgiveness and cleansing (7:48). To the demoniac who was possessed by a legion of demons, our Lord brought liberation and the restoration of a right inward attitude. He brought peace to him and then commissioned him to return to his home, there to give testimony concerning what God had done for him (Luke 8:39).

What is the nature of the good news which Jesus brought? Jesus brought good news regarding cleansing of the heart and soul from sin. Deep in man’s heart there is a feeling of being unclean, unworthy, and unprepared to approach a holy God. Jesus came that we might be clean and acceptable to a holy God. God sent Him and made it possible for us to experience righteousness and grace through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; 8:9).

Jesus brought good news regarding acceptance into the family of God.

Some children are cursed in this world by having parents who are something other than they ought to be. Some children are fortunate in the heritage which they receive through birth and belonging to a good family. Some children are millionaires on the day of their birth because of rich parents.

On the day of our spiritual birth, we become the sons and daughters of the eternal God. We are accepted into the family of God. This gives to us the privilege of belonging to God.

Jesus brings good news regarding spiritual resources for living. Through faith in Christ we receive the gift of a new nature. The old nature is radically transformed.

Through faith in Christ we receive the gift of the spiritual power that we need for coping with life. Through faith in Christ we receive the gift of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Through faith in Christ we receive the good news of an eternal home at the end of this life.

The gospel is Good News for all the people. Through this Good News we receive the offer of forgiveness, the offer of life, and the offer of acceptance into the family of God. We receive the assurance of help and friendship with God.

Let each of us listen to the Good News, believe this Good News is for each of us and let each of us respond affirmatively to the Good News.

Let all of us rejoice today in the privilege of responding to this Good News through Jesus Christ.

© 2007, Spring Creek Church of the Brethren