'Shepherds' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Marytreasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” vss. 18-19 Luke 2:8-20 As Luke tells the story, when the shepherds arrived at the manger and shared their tale of shining glory and herald angels they caused quite a stir. Evidently the birth had attracted notice—which makes sense—there’s going to be some hustle and bustle when a child is born. Passersby hearing Mary’s laboring cries…
Daily Devotions
The Name of Jesus … and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” vss. 18-19 Luke 2:17-21 In Luke’s story, Mary treasured the report of the shepherds when they came to see the baby in Bethlehem. Obviously it was good news for her–but it was more than she could comprehend. She needed time for reflection as she pondered their words in her heart.…
Daily Devotions
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’” vs. 15 Luke 2:15-16 Luke’s amazing story doesn’t end with the message of the angels to the shepherds, because it’s really never enough just to get an announcement of good news. There just has to be a response! In this instance, the…
Daily Devotions
Christmas Eve But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’” vss. 10-11 Luke 2:8-14 Many people, even those whose faith is sketchy, try to make time for going to church on Christmas Eve. It’s a family ritual and, along with a traditional meal and opening…
Daily Devotions
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” vs. 18 Matthew 1:18-20 If all we had was Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, Christmas wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. In fact there probably wouldn’t even be any Sunday School Christmas programs without Luke’s singing angels, watching shepherds, and the baby in…
Daily Devotions
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” vs. 8 Luke 2:8-14 Christmas Eve Tonight there will be worship services at the Shepherd’s Fields, just outside of Bethlehem. The crowds will be small–Israel’s borders remain closed to foreign visitors. But worshippers will be there, huddled outside against the chill on a dark hillside with the lights of Jewish settlements just across the valley. Aside from a small beautifully adorned modern chapel,…
Daily Devotions
‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ says the Lord.” vs. 1 Jeremiah 23:1-3 The Hebrew scriptures abound with references to shepherds and their flocks. Whenever a writer was looking for an analogy to describe the relationship between a sovereign and the nation, this was the go-to metaphor. Jeremiah uses it here to blame the kings of Judah and Israel for the sorry condition of God’s chosen people. They were the ones in charge…
Daily Devotions: November 18, 2019
November 18, 2019 For full passage click: Jeremiah 23:1-6 …”Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” vs. 1 Judah was in a tough spot and Jeremiah was convinced that it was the fault of the kings. Speaking for the Lord, in a biting and forceful sermon, he blames Judah’s shepherds, i.e. kings, for destroying and scattering the people, and he looks forward to a day when a new righteous king will establish…
Daily Devotions: December 25, 2018
December 25, 2018 To read full passage click: Luke 2:8-20 …“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’” vs. 15 The shepherds in Luke’s story could have been content with hearing the good news from the angels and then going back to sleep. Instead, Luke reports that they decided…
Daily Devotions: December 24, 2018
December 24, 2018 To read passage click: Luke 2:1-14 …“Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.” vs. 4 When Luke decided to put together his account of Jesus’ life, he must have been thrilled to find this little story of the birth in Bethlehem. It really was the missing link, the piece of evidence that linked…