Follow The Revelation Of Jesus, The Christ!

Revelation of the person of Jesus as the Messiah is a personal experience. We all lack understanding to some degree. But the Holy Spirit will open our minds and hearts and assist us in receiving His revelation of Jesus Christ. We are then left with the decision to accept or reject this revelation from God! It is imperative that we accept and follow the revelation of Jesus Christ. Our response will affect us as individuals but will have far reaching consequences for the world around us.

God’s revelation may immediately impact one person or a few people. However, God’s revelation generally impacts a great number of people and even generations of people. Like a pebble thrown into a still body of water, the ripple effect extends much farther than the original area of impact.

When the angel of the Lord announced the birth of the Messiah to lowly shepherds in Luke 2, they were alone in a rural area and the message was for them. Luke 2:8, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” They were in a field, apart from the traffic of nearby Bethlehem. The angel of the Lord spoke directly to these few shepherds alone in the countryside. His message was a message to them first and then meant to be shared with the world. First, the revelation was a personal experience. They had a supernatural experience and it had a lasting effect on them. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid,” Luke 2:9.

Not only was the encounter a personal experience but also an emotional experience. And as with most revelations from God, this experience was accompanied by awe and reverence. In some instances when God reveals Himself to us, we respond in utter disbelief that it could be happening. This scene causes my heart to proclaim, “You are awesome, O God.”

No doubt they were paralyzed with fear. But God always comforts (to give strength and hope) and reassures (to make feel less afraid, upset, or doubtful) when we recognize (to know and remember because of previous knowledge or experience) Him and respond properly (so that it is right, true, proper, etc..). So what is the proper way to respond to a revelation from God? One should respond with holy reverence and submission. (to be continued)