Luke 2: Good News

Luke 2 is where we usually turn for information concerning the birth of Jesus. However, we often overlook the fact that the first recorded witnesses to his birth (other than Joseph and Mary) were shepherds.

God could have sent an angel to the political leaders of Bethlehem or the most influential business leaders, but he didn’t. Instead, he chose those who would listen and obey. To them, the angels called the birth of Jesus “the good news.”

Sometimes, we wonder why God doesn’t send us a text message or seems to be distant. Maybe the reason is not because he has nothing to say, but because we aren’t ready to listen and obey. We’re the ones calling for a census rather than living as the shepherds ready to receive the good news.

As I reflected on the words of this chapter, my prayer was that I would be obedient like the shepherds, willing to hear and respond to the message of Christ, willing to communicate his good news to others.

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Dillon Burroughs has written, co-written, or edited over 60 books, including the upcoming devotional work Thirst No More (October 2011). He served as an associate editor for The Apologetics Study Bible for Students and is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. Find out more at DillonBurroughs.org.