The Power of Testimony
Consider:
Inviting the shepherds into the first story was no mistake! God knew they would search for the Messiah as soon as they heard the news, and He also knew the shepherds would tell the whole stinkin’ town! The indisputable revelation called the shepherds to quick action, which revealed solid evidence, growing confidence in them to share the message with everyone.
Read Luke 2:17-18. What did the shepherds do after they saw the baby who was lying in a manger? What effect did it have on the people?
Read Luke 2:11. This verse provides the message they were spreading. What was the message?
Read Luke 2:12 and Luke 2:16. The shepherds could share with confidence because of what they had been told and the sign included in that message turned out to be exact!
Read Luke 2:19. What was Mary’s reaction?
Explore:
If God invited the shepherds into the Christmas story because of the confidence He knew they would exhibit in sharing this good news, shouldn’t we invite the same characters into our world this season? The shepherds, if you remember, were known to be dishonest and unclean according to Jewish law.
Are there people around you who don’t seem to follow any “religion” or disregard the law in some sense? Who are those people in your world?
At first glance, the shepherds seem an unlikely choice to be the first to know of the Messiah’s birth. At first glance, the people on the fringes of our society are also an unlikely choice to invite into a season of warmth and hope…or your home.
Read Matthew 9:9-13. Who did Jesus come to call?
The New Testament Gospels are filled with examples of Jesus touching the lives of the sick and the sinner. When these people are touched, they encountered the Divine in a specific and tangible way. They typically took action and shared with those around them the good news of Jesus, their healer and savior. People began following Jesus in crowds because of the way He was known to touch the sick and the sinner. There was power in the testimonies they shared!
The same is true today. Jesus still longs to touch the sick and the sinner. He knows they will act, taking steps toward Him, and then turn to tell the world about His saving grace. When believers step out in faith, touching with hands guided by the Spirit, they get a front-row seat to the action and the testimony! And just like Mary, they treasure the confirmation of the power of the gospel and ponder all these things in their hearts.
Pray:
Pray for God to reveal the sick and the sinner to you. Pray they would experience a unique and tangible revelation from God that would require quick action and result in a powerful testimony that would bring glory to Him alone! Pray for a bold confidence in the lives of these people touched by God’s healing and saving hand. Pray for the gospel to spread like wildfire because of the amazing change they see.
I love their unabashed enthusiasm the tell what they saw. May I be like them and all these Christmas characters.