MORNING MANNA         12/19/19

” And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Luke 2:17 ( read vs. 15-20)

After describing the people to whom the angel appeared and the purpose of his announcement, Luke tells us what it produced. When God speaks He expects a response. Here we see how the shepherds responded.

First we see their wisdom (vs. 15-16). They pursued the revelation they received. They said, “Let us now go” (vs 15) and “they came with haste” (vs. 16). There was no hesitation. No one was dragging their feet or making excuses. That’s the way it should be. When God speaks we ought to respond immediately, willfully, fully, and cheerfully. Not doing so is foolish and dangerous. When we hold out on God we deprive others of what they need most and ourselves of the blessings we could have had – we limit what He wants to do in our lives.

Second we see their witness (vs. 17-18). They published the report they received. Overwhelmed by such glorious news they couldn’t constrain themselves. They proclaimed the message to others without delay. That’s as it should be. Can you imagine them making such a great discovery and then going about business as usual? That should never happen. We ought to do as they did. There is no more pressing need in the world than the proclamation of the gospel. It is what everyone needs, and it is where we have been sent – “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15).