15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
After the heavenly host experience, 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." I love that! When God says something to us in His Word and by His Spirit let's get up and see it come to pass!! The shepherds didn't have even a hint of doubt that the Savior had just been born, Christ the Lord. They couldn't stay where they were...it was time to move forward!
So, verse 16 says, "they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger." Not only did they say "let's go...and see" but they "hurried off" to find exactly what the angel told them they would see. The Sign. The Heaven-sent One.
I love God's choice of words! The NIV's rendering "hurried off" is the Greek word speudo meaning: to make haste or to desire earnestly.* The shepherds ran off to find the newborn King because they were filled with earnest desire to see this Son of God. May the Lord give us this same earnest desire for Jesus. May He alone be our passion forever, song of our soul, desire of our heart.
"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." Just one look, that's all it took! And the shepherds were compelled to tell everyone, everywhere about this Child!! When was the last time you and I really saw Jesus for Who He is? When Jesus is our passion and our earnest desire, our talk and our walk will empower our song. No longer will we have to be coerced into worship; it will be a natural outpouring from within. No longer will we be guilt-ridden into spreading God's story, we'll be compelled to share it. All who heard the shepherds eyewitness account were astounded and marveled at what they said. Their message had an affect. May that be true of us!
Verse 20 says, "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen." The word returned comes from two Greek words; one meaning to follow and the other to turn around.** Their lives were completely turned around to follow the Messiah. And the result was praise!
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Mary kept (to preserve a thing from perishing or being lost, to keep within one's self, keep in mind lest it be forgotten***) all this in her heart. And pondered (to bring together in one's mind, to converse, confer with one's self****) it.
If I had experienced everything Mary had over these months, I think I'd probably chat with myself too!
*Greek Strong's #4692, **Greek Strong's #1909 & #4762, ***#4933, ****Greek Strong's, Greek Strong's #4820
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