Herald
to the Unloved and the Unwanted:
Luke 2:8-15 (KJV)
As
Christians, we all know the story. Christmas was last month so why
write about it now? The question comes up, “Why did the Lord chose
shepherds to announce the birth of our King too?” It would make
more sense to announce the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, to the
Kings of the land. To the religious leaders of the temple. Why
shepherds?
At
the time, shepherds were the lowest of the low when it came to
society's standards. Because of their job, they would have to be in
the fields for weeks and even months at a time. Therefore the
religious authorities consider shepherds ceremonial unclean. They
were not even considered lower class. They were the bottom class of
all classes. Because of their job they could not participate in
Jewish traditions or the 613 laws of the Sanhedrin, better known as
the Mosaic Law. Shepherds could not even testify in court because
they were considered thieves and untrustworthy. They were the
unloved, the unwanted, the rejected, the outcasts of society.
How
often as Christians or not, do we feel unwanted, unloved, rejected
and turned away as an outcast? It hurts especially when the rejection
comes from one(s) we love and trust. Rejection from a friend or when
even you find yourself rejected by the very church you needed help
from. As Uncle Si would say, “That is rejection, Jack!”
These
shepherds did not just experience it. They had to live with it day
after day. We too see it daily, if we would just open our eyes and
hearts. I see it every time I go to Walmart. The sales clerk,
checking out hundreds of people a day with few if any acknowledging
their name. Which could be easily read on their name badge. Lonely
souls at a bar trying to drown their misery and pull up joy for a
fleeting moment. I see it in the eyes of others in a crowd. Their
eyes tell of the sadness dwelling inside. Feelings of doubt,
rejection and just feeling unloved. While trying their best just to
fit in the now.
So
why did the Lord chose the shepherds to announce or “Herald” the
coming of our King?
That
if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved. 10 For
it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is
with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As
the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put
to shame." 12 For
there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord
of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for,
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:9-13 (NIV)
Notice
in verse 13. The word “Everyone.” Jesus came for everyone. Not
just the ones who think they have their act together. Not the ones of
authority over others. Everyone. That means you and that means me.
Jesus
said to them, “I assure you: In the Messianic Age, when the Son of
Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also
sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. 29 And
everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother,
children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more
and will inherit eternal life. 30 But
many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Matt 19:28-30 (HCSB)
This
is a warning that we all must come to grips with. The first will be
last. We all want to be first. First in charge. First to finish the
race. First in line to receive. We want to be number one which is the
exact opposite of the 1st Commandment. Being last is hard.
Being unloved and unwanted by others is very hard to deal with. I
like what Pastor Rick Warren once said, “ I fear God's disapproval
more than I fear yours or society's.”
Christian-BE
BOLD! Teach, Preach and Reach <><
