A Journey to BethlehemSýnishorn

The Journey of the Shepherds

The Magi were not the only ones who journeyed to where Jesus was. They were not even the first to visit him. That distinction, as far as we know, went to a group of shepherds in the region of Bethlehem. They were people on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Magi. The shepherds did not have position, power, or prestige. They would not have had money or influence. Their work, and their place in society, was not respected or desirable. They were not educated and were considered on the lower level of society. The shepherds were the first ones to whom God revealed the birth of the Savior. God chose to do this in a spectacular fashion. The shepherds were simply doing their jobs. They were in the field, minding their sheep, when an angel of God appeared to them with a proclamation of the birth of the Savior and Messiah, Jesus. The appearance of the angel was accompanied by the "glory of the Lord," which shimmered all around the shepherds. As the angel delivered his message, he was joined by a multitude of angels who were praising God for what He had done through the birth of Jesus. It must have been quite an incredible experience for those humble shepherds.

What is perhaps even more interesting is what happened next. The angel told them just enough information to be able to know when they found Jesus, but that was all. The shepherds were not specifically instructed to do anything. Their immediate reaction, however, was to find Jesus and to go without delay. They went straight to Bethlehem, and they went "in a hurry." They went into town and found Jesus, and perhaps became the first evangelists during their return back, "glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard."

The most significant aspect of their journey to Bethlehem was their immediate obedience to the revelation that God gave to them. God spoke through an angel, and the shepherds were not content to just know about Jesus. They were determined to have a personal encounter with the Savior God had given to the world. It was not just Good News to hear, but even greater news to experience personally. Going to see Jesus instantaneously became the most important thing in their lives. They responded to God's revelation, and the result was them "glorifying and praising God." In similar ways, our "journey to Bethlehem" will lead us to that place of fulfillment in Christ, when we are immediately obedient in responding to what God says to us. God spoke, the shepherds responded, and the presence of Jesus was their glorious reward.