Day 17 – Seeking Jesus

“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15

Following the glorious display of the angelic hosts, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 …” The original word translated as 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 in this verse is the Greek word 𝘙𝘩𝘦̄𝘮𝘢. While 𝘓𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘴 represents the written, established Word, 𝘙𝘩𝘦̄𝘮𝘢 refers specifically to the spoken, living word. By journeying to the manger, the shepherds chose to actively seek the spoken Word of God announced by heaven. John writes in the introduction of his Gospel that “the Word was God.” This 𝘙𝘩𝘦̄𝘮𝘢 was a proclamation of divine power and anointing, spoken to manifest ancient prophecy into physical reality through Jesus Christ – the Word made flesh.

Though shepherding was considered a noble occupation in the Old Testament, it was deeply looked down upon by the time of the New Testament. Because shepherds lived with their flocks 24/7, they were deemed ceremonially unclean and unable to uphold strict Sabbath regulations. Yet, God intentionally chose them first – the unworthy – to seek His Son. They may have been uneducated by worldly standards, but they recognized what they saw and heard, fully grasping the power of the 𝘙𝘩𝘦̄𝘮𝘢. Because of the humble manner of His birth, Jesus was completely accessible to them. The moment they acted on the spoken Word, these marginalized men became the very first to behold the Light of the World.

Pray with me: Father, thank You for this beautiful moment described by Luke. Though we might think we are unworthy by worldly standards, we are never unworthy to You. Your redemption plan through Jesus is for every person You’ve created. I pray, Lord, that Your 𝘙𝘩𝘦̄𝘮𝘢 saturates my heart so that I – like the shepherds – seek Jesus. Amen. ©

Love, Pastor Iriza