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. (Luke 2:15-16)
Luke’s words in these verses convey a sense of urgency on the part of the shepherds. They “hurried off.” It’s not as obvious in our English translation, but there is also the idea of repeated action involved in the search for baby Jesus.
In Jeremiah 29:13, God promises us that we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our hearts. Seek, and you will find, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:9.
But there is something else here as well. The shepherds left their sheep to seek their Savior.
“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples,” said Jesus. (Luke 14:33)
Our Lord taught that the Kingdom of Heaven was like a man who found a treasure hidden in a field and sold all that he had to buy that field. (Matt. 13:44)
On the other hand, Jesus told the story of the guests invited to a great banquet. One after another made excuses as to why they could not attend. (Luke 14:16-20)
It’s easy to make excuses for not spending more time seeking God’s presence and guidance in our lives. And if we are honest, there are often obstacles that we are unwilling to remove that keep us from becoming the disciples he is calling us to be. But these shepherds serve as a reminder that those who seek will find.
In Christ,
Dan
‘Tis the season to seek Him with all our heart.
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What a comforting exhortation: those who seek Him will find Him. Amen! Thank you!