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Luke 2:15–21
“When they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (vv. 17–18).
Afraid at first of the angel who announced the birth of Jesus, the shepherds outside Bethlehem who heard the good news no doubt had their fears assuaged when God’s messenger told them to “fear not” (Luke 2:10). Today’s passage confirms that their fear became faith, for after the angel and his accompanying host departed, the shepherds immediately purposed to go to Bethlehem and see the wonderful thing that they had just heard about (v. 15).
As they had been told, the shepherds found the baby Jesus lying in the manger and Mary and Joseph watching over Him (v. 16). Next, they declared what the angels had said, and the text makes it clear that they spoke not only to the holy family but to many others besides, for other people “wondered” at the news of the shepherds (vv. 17–18). In other words, the shepherds began to tell people all that they had seen and heard concerning the birth of the Messiah. Little wonder, then, that many people in church history have regarded the shepherds as the very first evangelists, for they proclaimed the advent of Jesus before any of Jesus’ disciples did. In light of the fact that the elders and teachers of the church are also called “shepherds” (e.g., see 1 Peter 5:1–4), there is a parallel between the literal shepherds who first proclaimed the good news of Jesus and the metaphorical shepherds who instruct God’s people. The Venerable Bede, the famous historian of the English church who died in the early eighth century AD, comments, “Spiritual shepherds in the church are appointed especially for this, that they may proclaim the mysteries of the Word of God and that they may show to their listeners that the marvels which they have learned in the Scriptures are to be marveled at.”
Luke 2:19 puts the focus back on Mary, telling us that she pondered everything she had heard and seen in her heart once the shepherds spoke to her. The mother of our Lord thought carefully about all the words from God through the angels and the various events that attended the birth of Jesus. Luke does not mean that she had at that point come to a full awareness of the significance of Jesus. Indeed, it is fairly clear that she, no less than the rest of Christ’s family, did not fully understand His person and work before His crucifixion (see Mark 3:21, 31–35). Nevertheless, Mary’s pondering shows that the mother of Jesus was seeking understanding. In this she is a model for us. By meditating on God’s Word and what it describes, we come to a fuller comprehension of the ways of our Lord (Ps. 119:99).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
It is not enough simply to quickly read through God’s Word or to hear it without thinking much about it. If we want to grow in our knowledge of and love for the Lord, we must meditate on the Scriptures, thinking deeply about their meaning and application. Regular meditation on the Word of God is necessary for spiritual growth.
for further study
- Joshua 1:8
- Mark 12:28–34
the bible in a year
- Genesis 46–48
- Matthew 15:21–39
- Genesis 49–Exodus 4
- Matthew 16