Matthew4:19
"Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass."
What is the true meaning of Christmas? It’s to remember the birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago. Out of love, He came and died for us. Through Him, we can
reconcile with our Father and have eternal life. This is
the hope, joy and love we can have on earth!
In Luke 2:10-14, “But the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy
which will be for all the people; for today in the city of
David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
What a scene! Multitude of angels bringing the good
tidings!
In v15-20 it says, “For he will be great in the sight of the
Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s
womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back
to the Lord their God. It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
God chose the lowly shepherds to spread the news. He, who is our good shepherd, also humbled Himself to
sacrifice for us. As the shepherds encountered Jesus, the true Messiah, theirs hearts were stirred to spread the good news everywhere: Jesus Christ is born!
I, too, was stirred as I meditated on this scripture. Like
the shepherds, as we encountered Jesus, we just can’t
help telling everyone about Him! Some will gladly
receive Him while others might reject.
Now the salvation is mine! I’m stirred to follow the
shepherds’ example and spread the good news. I have it in my head for decades, but now I receive it in the spirit.
Hallelujah!
Then He spoke to me, “I will make you fishers of men.”
(Matthew 4:19) I’m undone!
The meaning of Christmas is far more than just celebrating Jesus’ birth. It’s a time for us to be commissioned: go and be a fisher of men!
In the name of Jesus I bless you all, may you become a
fisher of men as well. Amen!