Let’s Go and See

Reflect:

For a moment, let’s imagine ourselves like some shepherds mentioned in this passage. 

What keeps us awake is that we are looking out for a flock of sheep. They are resting and sleeping. 

We guard them from any possible predator that may take away or eat one of them. 

This serious job requires us to be attentive and observant of any changes in the surroundings that can threaten the flock. 

At night, the light is limited and what surrounds us is darkness. 

Maybe some of us will be sleepy with eyes already twitching and longing for a good night’s sleep. 

Possibly some of us might be tired from the earlier day of guiding the flock and just want to retire.

BUT we cannot afford that. Taking care of them is our job and source of living. And this is a normal pattern.  

Just like in any other kind of job, there’s a pattern in a way our day goes on. A pattern that our minds are familiar with. 

What will we do if that pattern is suddenly disrupted by the appearance of an angel?

Like the shepherds, we might also be afraid, right? 

One moment it was dark and then suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared near us and the glory of the Lord shone around us. 

This event is not normal. 

This is not ordinary. 

And the pattern that our minds were trained to expect was radically altered. 

Moments like this plunges us into the territory of the unknown. In this territory, we get confused on what is true. Our reality is distorted. We panic, get paralyzed, and we don’t know what to do. Thus, our tendency to be afraid is activated. 

We are frightened by the sudden interruption of the pattern of living we grew up with.

When events like this occur and we become afraid. What’s the solution?

God’s love and truth.

Not only in this passage from Luke will we encounter the words: Do not be afraid.

Every time these words come out, there is a revelation of love and a proclamation of truth afterward.

In this case, God’s love and truth were revealed with these words: 

Good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Then the shepherds witnessed a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God. When the angels left, the shepherds were not afraid anymore. Instead, they were encouraged.

After hearing the words about God’s love and truth for all the people, the shepherds were never the same again.

Their focus changed. 

Rather than staying where they were and continuing with what they were doing prior to the appearance of the angel of the Lord, they began saying to one another, “Let’s go… and see..”.

The direction of their life became different because they decided together to go and see the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. And so they did. They met our Saviour, Christ the Lord.

For them, that ordinary day was turned into an ordained day as they engaged with what the Lord has made known to them

God’s love and truth are the cure to all our fears. God’s love and truth will cause us to make decisions so our life will change. It will lead us to meet our Saviour, Christ the Lord.

Respond:

What makes you worried or afraid? 

Now, recall any specific moment when you received any word from the Lord, His love and truth about you. Maybe a time when you were praying or reading the bible or soaking or a prophetic word was spoken over you or you received a prophetic art.

What actions would you like to take to engage with that word?