Showing posts with label "A Visitation". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "A Visitation". Show all posts

Tuesday 19 December 2017

A Visitation

A Visitation
Luke’s gospel records that when Jesus was born angels appeared to shepherds announcing his birth. Luke states,
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:8-20.
I am a believer in Christ Jesus. I admit I have a bias. I believe the Bible. I believe what the New Testament says about Jesus. Even the miraculous. I believe if the miraculous happenings described in the Bible were not true the writers would not have included them.
That being said it is up to you the reader to make up your own mind regarding what is said in the Bible.
Here in the above quote from Luke’s gospel we are told about shepherds that were visited by angels announcing the birth of Jesus. That they went to see him for themselves and finding what the angels had said was true the told others about it.
Today in the twenty-first century we may not be able to go and see Jesus in the flesh but those of us who believe in him through faith are called on by God to tell the world about Him.
We are called on to glorify and praise God for the saving grace Jesus offers.
Luke states,
“When they (the shepherds) had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”
The same is true today. Believers in Christ throughout the world tell those around them about Jesus all the time. And as with the testimony of the shepherds people marvel at what is told to them.
That’s not to say people always believe the testimony of Christians regarding Jesus.
God has given each person a freewill. They have the right to choose what they believe and what they do not believe.
That freewill extends to whether or not they believe Jesus is all the Bible claims he is, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate. God will not impose His will on the individual.
I as a believer in Christ Jesus truly believe what the Bible says about Jesus. It however in the twenty-first century comes down to faith and the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 
and certain of what we do not see.”  
                                                     Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 
because anyone who comes to him must believe 
that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 
                                                                                           Hebrews 11:6  
Please think about it.