Merry Christmas family!
Can you imagine what it would have felt like to be those shepherds on that starry night in the fields of Bethlehem? All of a sudden, God’s glory lights up the sky and His heavenly hosts, so ecstatic for us, can’t hold in the news of JESUS any longer. With all their might, they cry out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
I’m sure those shepherds were filled with every kind of emotion. They were wide-eyed and stunned at their very own personal holiday light show from heaven’s choirs and carolers. But most of all, after the sensational celebration faded from the sky, I imageine those shepherds standing starstruck and in awe of their generous God. Almighty God had just sent them the gift that cost Him everything. It was His ultimate Christmas present to mankind – all of His peace and all of His goodness beautifully wrapped up in the person of JESUS and left right on their doorstep.
At the time, the shepherds knew they were given a Savior, but they probably didn’t realize they were getting a Shepherd, One Who would care for every intricate detail of their lives, especially the health of their souls.
JESUS is your personal Shepherd. Psalm 23 says,
- The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to life down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
JESUS is interested in your soul (your mind) becoming sound, your will becoming secure, and your emotions becoming stable. He is the guardian over your heart and His desire is for you to be completely healthy at your core. He is not after your programmed response. He is after your heart. He is more interested in how you look on the inside than how you look on the outside. He proved this when He chose King David over his brothers and said to Samuel,
- The LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
JESUS in His very nature is the real deal, and if you’ll let Him, He will help you strip away any pretenses that are keeping you in a small place. He wants to enlarge your heart and your capacity to receive all that He has for you in your life. So, come before Him and He will help you to live out the amazing adventure He has planned for you!
Love in our amazing Shepherd,
Lisa Gordon
Jesus City Church
Glastonbury, CT