This verse, Luke 2:20, is the conclusion to the story of the shepherds visiting the newborn Jesus. Let's break it down and understand its meaning:
"The shepherds returned...": After encountering the angels and finding baby Jesus in the manger as described, the shepherds went back to their normal lives and work tending their flocks. This shows that their encounter with the divine, while profound, didn't necessarily change their basic roles in society.
"...glorifying and praising God...": The shepherds' response to the experience was one of profound gratitude and worship. "Glorifying" God means to magnify His worth and majesty, to make Him look good. "Praising" God is to express admiration and thanks for His goodness and actions. This emphasizes their awe and wonder at witnessing God's plan unfold.
"...for all the things that they had heard and seen...": This refers to the angelic announcement and the sight of Jesus in the manger. It highlights the power of the sensory experience: they heard the good news and then saw the fulfillment of it. The combination of both hearing and seeing made the experience even more impactful.
"...just as it was told them.": This is the key to the entire verse. The shepherds' faith was affirmed. Everything they had been told by the angels had come true. This reinforces the trustworthiness of God's word and the reliability of the divine message. Their experience confirmed the truth of the angelic prophecy.
In essence, this verse means:
The shepherds, after having a miraculous encounter with angels and seeing the newborn Jesus, returned to their regular lives full of joy and gratitude. They praised God because everything they had been told about Jesus came true, solidifying their faith and demonstrating the power and truth of God's word.
The significance of the verse lies in several aspects:
A Testimony to the Gospel: The shepherds, as ordinary, humble people, became witnesses to the birth of Jesus. Their testimony reinforces the idea that the Gospel is for everyone, not just the powerful or privileged.
The Importance of Faith: The shepherds believed the angels and acted on that belief, leading them to witness the miracle. This underscores the importance of faith in receiving God's blessings.
A Model of Worship: The shepherds' response of glorifying and praising God serves as a model for how believers should respond to God's grace and blessings.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The fulfillment of the angelic message strengthens the reliability of scripture and God's plan.
In conclusion, Luke 2:20 encapsulates the joy, wonder, and confirmation of faith experienced by the shepherds after encountering the newborn Jesus. It is a reminder of the power of God's word, the importance of faith, and the appropriate response of worship and gratitude to God's grace.
This verse, Luke 2:20, is the conclusion to the story of the shepherds visiting the newborn Jesus. Let's break it down and understand its meaning:
"The shepherds returned...": After encountering the angels and finding baby Jesus in the manger as described, the shepherds went back to their normal lives and work tending their flocks. This shows that their encounter with the divine, while profound, didn't necessarily change their basic roles in society.
"...glorifying and praising God...": The shepherds' response to the experience was one of profound gratitude and worship. "Glorifying" God means to magnify His worth and majesty, to make Him look good. "Praising" God is to express admiration and thanks for His goodness and actions. This emphasizes their awe and wonder at witnessing God's plan unfold.
"...for all the things that they had heard and seen...": This refers to the angelic announcement and the sight of Jesus in the manger. It highlights the power of the sensory experience: they heard the good news and then saw the fulfillment of it. The combination of both hearing and seeing made the experience even more impactful.
"...just as it was told them.": This is the key to the entire verse. The shepherds' faith was affirmed. Everything they had been told by the angels had come true. This reinforces the trustworthiness of God's word and the reliability of the divine message. Their experience confirmed the truth of the angelic prophecy.
In essence, this verse means:
The shepherds, after having a miraculous encounter with angels and seeing the newborn Jesus, returned to their regular lives full of joy and gratitude. They praised God because everything they had been told about Jesus came true, solidifying their faith and demonstrating the power and truth of God's word.
The significance of the verse lies in several aspects:
A Testimony to the Gospel: The shepherds, as ordinary, humble people, became witnesses to the birth of Jesus. Their testimony reinforces the idea that the Gospel is for everyone, not just the powerful or privileged.
The Importance of Faith: The shepherds believed the angels and acted on that belief, leading them to witness the miracle. This underscores the importance of faith in receiving God's blessings.
A Model of Worship: The shepherds' response of glorifying and praising God serves as a model for how believers should respond to God's grace and blessings.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The fulfillment of the angelic message strengthens the reliability of scripture and God's plan.
In conclusion, Luke 2:20 encapsulates the joy, wonder, and confirmation of faith experienced by the shepherds after encountering the newborn Jesus. It is a reminder of the power of God's word, the importance of faith, and the appropriate response of worship and gratitude to God's grace.