While the shepherds were abiding in the field, the angel of the Lord came upon them and said, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." And the shepherds went unto Bethlehem and saw Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen it they made known abroad the saying which was told to them concerning this child. Then, the shepherds returned home rejoicing, praising, and glorifying God. We, too, are to be lights in this world, sharing the good tidings and telling about the gift of eternal life. And when we return home and stand before the Lord, we can praise and give glory to God by receiving the Crown of Righteousness. Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Follow me in assurance of salvation. Do we know that we know that we are born again? Or are we acting like those certain disciples who answered Paul, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." Jesus knew He came forth from the Father into this world and He would leave the world and go to the Father. He told his disciples that they would leave Him, but He was not alone because the Father was with Him. When responding to the chief priest's question, "Art though the Christ?" He proclaimed, “If I tell you ye would not believe. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Peter, while following Jesus, exclaimed, "Thou art the Christ," and his assurance allowed him to be greatly used in pricking the hearts of the lost.
Follow me in the conviction that men are lost. Are we aware of the lost around us, or do we choose not to acknowledge their need of a witness? Jesus had conviction that men are lost. He told of the rich man who died and, in hell, lifted up his eyes being in torments. He came into the world to seek and save sinners; He went throughout all the cities proclaiming redemption. John the Baptist followed Jesus when he confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees asking, "Who hath warned you to flee the wrath to come?" And Andrew, following the Lamb of God, found his own brother, Simon, and said, “We have found the Messiah.”
Follow me in purity of life. Are we confessing our sins and living a separated life, or are we acting like those virgins who did not take oil for their lamps? Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, was without sin—He was holy and blameless. His life caused Nicodemus to look for Him in the garden. The purity of His life convicted the thief on the cross to confess that he was receiving his punishment justly, and that Jesus had done nothing amiss. He called on the Lord asking him, "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Let us follow Jesus in purity like those women who, having husbands that obeyed not the word, but were won without the Word through the conversation of their wives. Consider Daniel, who purposed in his heart to live a separated, pure life by which king Darius made a decree that all men should fear the God of Daniel.
Follow me in crucifixion of self. Are we taking up our cross and following Jesus, or are we acting like Demas who, having loved the world had forsaken his labor? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep. He told His disciples, "No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of myself." Jesus made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He said, “If any man come after me let him take up his cross and follow me.” Paul, who did not want to frustrate the grace of God in his life, followed this example and proclaimed to the Galatians, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live."
