The Catalyst That Brings About Response

Opening remarks

Read Luke 2:1-21

This morning we will learn of three responses to the same event from Mary and from the shepherds. First, we see in verse 17 we see that the shepherds make known to others what they had witnessed in Bethlehem. Next, Mary treasures all that she heard and ponders them in her heart. And finally, the shepherds glorify God and praise Him for what they saw.

Now, these responses are important. In fact, they are a sermon by themselves but I want to look at three stimuli for these responses. Every action that is taken in our lives has something that sets our response into motion.

First, notice that Mary and the Shepherds have seen

The Perfect Birth of the Son of God

For Mary, she was knowledgeable about what the prophets of old stated regarding the coming of the Messiah. She knew that He was anticipated but she could have never imagined an arrival that would so closely involve her. Sure, she would certainly have known that her life would be affected by having a child and by the arrival of the Messiah, but she could have never dreamed that it would happen in the way that it did. This was an event that was ordained by God from the beginning of time. In His great sovereignty, He determined that this was how all of mankind would have been changed forever! Because God is the one who set these events into order, it was perfect because it was of His hand!

But also we can look at the location of the birth of Jesus and understand its perfection. The fact that it happened in Bethlehem had been foretold in Micah 5:2: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

Beyond just the geographical location, Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for Him in the inn. This does not align with the royal status of our Lord. He is King Jesus, He deserved to be born with the finest midwives surrounding Him. But it does fit His humble character and His true feelings on His time on earth. Listen to Matthew 8:20: “And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”” His time here was temporary. He was here about His Father’s business but would not remain here any longer than was necessary.

Finally, telling of others, the storing away in ones heart, and the praising of God was brought on by the miraculous nature of Jesus’ birth. This unwed virgin was chosen to give birth to the Son of God. This causes one to wonder. But once the even had been witnessed by this small group in Bethlehem, they could do nothing but tell others and worship the one who made it all happen!

Not only did the birth event cause Mary and the shepherds to respond but so did

God Drawing People to Himself

This all takes place because the shepherds are approached by an angel in a nearby field. They are informed of “good news of great joy for all the people.” When they are told, what do they do? They “went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”

When God reveals Himself to people and brings them close, we ought to stand back in awe and celebrate. I’ve talked about this before but when a person goes to the altar during an invitation, we ought to celebrate. Whether it be broken heartedness over the situation of a loved one, brokenness over sin in their own life, or making a decision to further dedicate their life to Him, we ought to first say “wow” and then celebrate. We are watching God’s hand work on a person in real time!

Now, the shepherds are not the only ones that who come running to see what God has done. They immediately tell others of what they have witnessed. This ought to be the natural reaction when we see God at work. And when we see other people respond the way they ought to, there is great rejoicing!

We are told in Matthew 2 that wise men from the east heard of the birth of Jesus and travel many miles to see Him. This is a pattern. People hear of Jesus and the “good news of great joy” that the shepherds came bearing and they came running. And for 2,000 years people have heard that they can receive forgiveness of their sins if they will simply come running to Jesus and they have come! Many of you remember the day that you came to Jesus and many other rejoiced when that happened! When someone is baptized, they publicly proclaim that they have determined they will do everything that they can to follow Jesus for the rest of their days. And when God draws people to Himself, people ponder. They glorify God and the praise Him.

Finally the final catalyst we see for such a response is observing

People Worshiping God

This point has more to do with Mary’s pondering. She played a part in the birth of the Godman and because of that, there were people glorifying God and praising Him. This is a more applicable point than many of you might think. For example, the choir is going to sing tonight. I speak for the rest of our choir when I say nothing would thrill us more than to observe other people worship as we proclaim the beautiful truths in that program.

But there is so much. Mary’s role here was simple service to her Lord and she stated as much back in chapter 1: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” As we serve the Lord, in whatever capacity He has gifted us in and that service brings people to a point of worship, we ought to praise God! Our ushers take an offering and count the people and the money. When they do this, they serve God by allowing people to worship God with their finances. Our nursery workers and children’s church volunteers allow parents to worship without distraction WHILE teaching our children about the things of God.

Even as I consider my role in God’s church, I rejoice when others lift their hands in praise. People worshiping ought to cause us to worship. That sounds like an odd thing but there is something special to see singing with zeal. On the other side of the coin, it brings about sadness when we set aside time to worship God and people refuse to take part in the same way it brings us sadness when the gospel is presented to someone and the decide to turn away from it.

I wish so badly you could see what I see some weeks. Because it is beautiful to see young people engage with our songs of the month! It has been a joy to be with the choir as we have prepared for tonight and see them humbly use their talents to lead God’s people in worship!

Now, I want to take one more step back and consider how is it that these catalysts came about. There are many different things that could be said but I think that it all boils down to their obedience. Mary submitted herself to the will of God. The shepherds heard and went with haste even though this meant abandoning their post and neglecting their sheep. It was that important to them. Such an obedience is what leads to these things.

And it is even obedience that makes the birth of Jesus so incredible. But not the birth itself but what it led to. In obedience, Jesus did the will of His Father. He bore the weight that we all were in such desperate need of. He remained on that cross and was sacrificed for the sins of the world. This obedience is what leads to a response, which is an act of obedience by itself.

That is what I want you to come away with today: Jesus Christ should bring us to action! He is the great catalyst that causes people to follow Him!