December 19, 2010 Different

Different

Day 34: Luke 2:16 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.

CAN YOU imagine the conversations the shepherds had with people after they left the manger scene? “Hey everyone, we have some great news! We were watching our sheep. An Angel appeared in the sky. He told us the Savior was in a manger here in Bethlehem. We saw him—in that stable down the road behind Caesar’s Inn. It was so cool. We saw the baby Savior of the world!”
“Yeah, right guys. What are you drinking out there in the pasture? The Messiah is born in a stable? Guys, you have to do better than that.”
“Hey everyone, here’s some great news. Jesus loves you. Turn to him, and he’ll guide to a better life. He’ll free you from the things that hold you back. What’s more, he is the way to eternal life!” “Yeah, right, Pastor. You have to do better than that.”
Too many times the truth isn’t enough for people. Perhaps God’s truth is too easy. The Messiah come to Bethlehem is a sign God wants to come into the homes and hearts of all his people from the lowest in status to the highest. And there he is, born to save those who doubt him and reject him. That attitude always holds back hearts. “Jesus can’t possibly be here for me, can he? My life’s a mess, or it’s too hard to change, or I have to do this on my own. A Savior—for me that’s not possible.”
A Savior is possible. For those who first heard the message of Jesus’ birth, for your doubting friends and family, and for you. Jesus saves. He changes attitudes, he changes minds, he changes hearts, and he changes lives.


Pause and Consider: that you need to remove doubt to unwrap God’s gift to use it.