Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another… And what shall we find when we get there? I. THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE US. 1. — Here are the shepherds. Let us ask them to tell their story. They say that they were watching their flocks on the hill-side, with no sounds to break the stillness but the occasional bleating of the sheep, when suddenly they became aware that they were in the presence of a glory brighter than that of noonday. An angel stood there, and as they shrank in affright from the wondrous vision, the angel spoke, and said, "Fear not," &c." And then there appeared with him "a multitude of the heavenly host praising God," &c. And — When such music sweet, Their heart and ears did greet, As never was by mortal fingers strook, Divinely warbled voice Answering the stringed noise, As all their souls in blissful rapture took The air such pleasure loathe to lose, With thousand echoes still prolonged each heavenly close. The anthem died away. The light faded from the hills. The angelic host departed. And the shepherds leaving their flocks, as afterwards the woman (John 4:28) left her waterpot, set out to see the new-born Saviour whom the angels sang. They found what? The splendour and magnificence befitting His birth who was heir of all things, and King of kings? No, but "Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." And still, though that was what they saw, they returned glorifying and praising God. 2. But not only the shepherds — others also, and men very different from these, have been to Bethlehem before us. They are not shepherds but sages. They have come not from some near hill-side. They are travel-stained and weary, for they have travelled long and far. They tell us that they have seen a new star, blazing and flashing in the sky, and that, led by that star, they have come to the place where lay the young Child and His mother; have worshipped Him, and presented to Him precious gifts. And now, their quest ended and rewarded, and the star having paled before the Sun of Righteousness who has arisen with healing in His wings, they are wending their way home by another route, with a new hope born in their hearts. 3. And not only shepherds and sages, but a countless multitude through all the Christian centuries, have been heart-pilgrims to Bethlehem before us, and have declared that "this thing which had come to pass" was the one thing needed to give them peace here below and the hope of heaven hereafter. II. BUT WHAT WENT THEY ALL OUT TO SEE, ANN WHAT SHALL WE SEE IF, LIKE THEM, WE GO NOW EVEN UNTO BETHLEHEM? 1. The reality of Christ's humanity. 2. The self-sacrificing power of Divine love. Our gladness cost Christ grief. Our salvation His humiliation. 3. The perfection of Christ's example. As we stand by the manger and know that that cradle means the cross, let us pray that "the same mind may be in us which was also in Christ Jesus." (J. R. Bailey.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. |
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