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Luke 2:8–21: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11 (ESV)

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Jesus these days. Sadly, due to a lack of spending time in God’s Word, few are accurate.

Some see Him primarily as a great teacher. Others admire His compassion. Some want a Jesus who confirms what they already believe, while others are drawn to a Jesus shaped by their politics, experiences, emotions, or desires.

But there is a more important question than, “Who do I think Jesus is?”

Who has God revealed Jesus to be?

On an ordinary night outside Bethlehem, God answered that question. The shepherds were watching their flocks when the glory of God shattered the darkness. They were terrified, but heaven's first announcement was one of grace: “Fear not.”

Why? Because good news had come.

The angel then gave Jesus three extraordinary titles.

  • He is Savior (Sōtēr)—the One who rescues sinners.
  • He is Christ (Christos)—God’s promised Messiah and King.
  • He is Lord (Kyrios)—the sovereign Lord worthy of our trust, allegiance, and worship.

God did not leave the identity of Jesus for us to determine. God revealed His Son.

That matters because we live in a world filled with spiritual voices. Not every person who talks about Jesus accurately represents Jesus. Not every spiritual experience comes from God. Not everything that sounds Christian is biblically accurate.

Therefore, we MUST test what we hear by the Word God has given us.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit “will glorify me” (John 16:14). The Spirit’s ministry does not distract us from Jesus or contradict what God has revealed. He magnifies Christ.

That means we should develop the same posture we see in the shepherds.

They heard God's Word. Then they acted upon God's Word.

They hurried to Bethlehem and found everything exactly as God had said. After seeing Jesus, they made known what had been told them concerning the Child.

Their experience did not interpret God's Word.

God's Word interpreted their experience. Please, friend, read that again! 

That distinction matters. 

  • When you hear teaching about Jesus, open the Scriptures.
  • When someone makes a spiritual claim, search the Scriptures.
  • When your emotions tell you something about God that contradicts His Word, trust the Scriptures.
  • When culture offers you a different Jesus, return to the Scriptures.

We don't need to invent Jesus. We need to know the Jesus God has revealed. And knowing Him changes how we return to ordinary life.

The shepherds eventually went back to their sheep. The fields were still there. Their responsibilities were still waiting. But they returned “glorifying and praising God.”

That is where Sunday meets Monday. Knowing Jesus changes the way we work, parent, speak, forgive, serve, suffer, make decisions, and treat people.

So, ask yourself today: Am I following the Jesus revealed in God's Word—or a Jesus shaped by the voices around me?

Please, dear friend…Open His Word. Seek Him. Know Him. Trust Him. And then make Him known. Because the greatest joy you’ll ever know is knowing Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank You for revealing Your Son to us. Protect us from believing distorted pictures of Jesus that come from culture, other people, or even our own desires. Give us a hunger for Your Word and discernment through Your Spirit. Help us not merely to hear Your Word but to live it. May Jesus become increasingly precious to us, and may our everyday lives glorify Him and make Him known. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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