To Shepherds As They Watched By Night

To Shepherds As They Watched By Night

 

Have you ever been bullied by someone bigger and stronger than you?  If you really couldn’t defend yourself, you felt completely helpless and hopeless.  There are some big, strong bullies we all face in life:  The devil, death, and the threat of hell.  How do those three enemies bully us?

If we are being bullied, it’s good to have a big, strong brother to step in and protect us.  Read Hebrews 2:9-11 and 14-18.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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How did Jesus become our Big Brother?  How did Jesus defeat our bullies- that tempter and accuser, the devil?  The ominous enemy of death that stalks all of us?  The scary threat of hell’s punishment for our sin?

The last three stanzas of “To Shepherds As They Watched” express our confidence in our Big Brother.  What do we say in those stanzas?   Close with a prayer asking Jesus to help you trust him to keep you safe.

You can see along with the tune found at:  http://lutherantacoma.com/hymns/103.mp3

 

1. To shepherds as they watched by night Appeared a host of angels bright;
Behold the tender Babe, they said, In yonder lowly manger laid.

2. At Bethlehem, in David’s town, As Micah did of old make known;
‘Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King, Who doth to all salvation bring.

3. Oh, then rejoice that through His Son God is with sinners now at one;
Made like yourselves of flesh and blood, Your Brother is the eternal God.
4. What harm can sin and death then do? The true God now abides with you.
Let hell and Satan rage and chafe, Christ is your Brother-ye are safe.

5. Not one He will or can forsake Who Him his confidence doth make.
Let all his wiles the Tempter try, You may his utmost powers defy.

 

6. Ye shall and must at last prevail; God’s own ye are, ye cannot fail.
To God forever sing your praise With joy and patience all your days.