Growing up and listening to Christmas hymns I never realized what an amazing combination it was for God to put angels in the presence of shepherds in the field, telling those shepherds about the birth of Jesus. Do you know why it’s so astounding?
Back in Biblical times shepherds weren't high on the social rung in society. They spent all day outside... around animals, and were thought to be a little wild. I wonder, however, if God has a special place in his heart for shepherds? Moses was a shepherd when God spoke to him in the burning bush, and David was taken from the fields to rule Israel, as a man after God's own heart. And, of course, there's Jesus, who names himself the Good Shepherd and describes his relationship with those who follow him as sheep to a shepherd, saying he would go so far as to lay down his life for his sheep. When I was trying to understand the parable Jesus teaches about a lost sheep being found by his shepherd (Luke 15: 1-7), I had to learn a little about sheep and shepherds. I found out that sheep are easily distracted animals. They wander off if they are not carefully shepherded. They don't wander off because they're trying to be bad or leave the flock... they see something interesting and go off to examine it... or aren’t paying attention and get left. It's also interesting to know that the shepherds in Biblical times often had names for their sheep. They knew each one individually and the sheep knew their shepherd’s voice. Every sheep in the flock mattered to the shepherd. The two tools, the rod and staff King David writes about in Psalm 23, are the tools that the shepherd uses to protect his sheep (rod) and bring it back to the group (staff). We created images (human beings) are a lot like sheep, if not worse. We get distracted by things that aren’t God and go and seek after the bright and shiny distractions that enter our line of sight. We’re not especially picky about the distraction— fame, power, money, happiness, success, love… many bright and shiny things can get us distracted from God if were not paying attention to the Good Shepherd. Post distraction we’re completely lost and scared... and completely unable to get back on our own. We need saving. We sheep need the Good Shepherd to come get us. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Jesus, the Good Shepherd does. He comes, picks us up, and carries us home. Why? If we’re on his shoulders we can’t go the wrong way, and we’re certain to get home. Jesus, the baby in question in this beautiful hymn, grew up to find and save the lost sheep who couldn’t save themselves. He beat off sin and death using His divine staff of His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Jesus then used His divine crook, the guidance of the Holy Spirit for all believers, to direct us through life and bring us back Home. As we think about the angels celebrating Jesus’ birth, it’s not surprising that the first people God the Father and the Holy Spirit told were the shepherds. The shepherds knew what sheep were like… and they were sheep themselves. The angels announced the coming of the shepherd’s Shepherd who would lead them (and us) to green pastures and still waters forever. So ask yourself this season-- what child is this-- whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This child, Jesus, grew up to be the Good Shepherd, and if we let him, our Good Shepherd, to enjoy a relationship with Him, keep us from danger, and lead us safely Home. To God be the glory, Sarah Scripture to meditate on: Luke 2: 8-21 Psalm 23 Luke 15: 1-7 Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for telling the good news about Jesus to the shepherds first. You told normal people who worked hard at getting their distracted animals to go where they should. Thank you for being our Good Shepherd, for coming to this world to be born, live, die, and rise so that we, your sheep, can know the goodness of you now and for eternity. Thank you, Jesus, for Christmas. Through Christ our Lord, amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Be Blessed WordsFrom devotions, to encouragments, to reviews, to visual-theology, to Bible savorings-- you'll find it all right here in this Christ-centered section of Be Blessed Prayer, Be Blessed Words. ArchivesCategories
All
|