Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - Why Shepherds?

      One of the verses for today's "Jesus Calling" devotional answered a question I've turned over in my heart for years each Christmas: Why shepherds? I know shepherds were low on the social ladder, but so were many other people: why not carpenters or milk maids? I know shepherds were out in the fields under dark skies which made the perfect stage for an angel bulletin and concert, but Gabriel appeared to Mary and Zechariah privately and to Joseph in a dream. Why shepherds?
     Picture a wide-eyed flock of out-of-breath men stopping short in the stable doorway as they spotted the equally wide-eyed couple inside and little Lord Jesus in a manger. Maybe it was even comical as the men in back slid into those who had stopped, asking "Are we there yet?"  Had being in the fields led them to forget their manners and social skills or was their obvious interest and openness a breath of fresh air to Mary and Joseph? Were these shepherds shy or did they bustle inside and overwhelm the new mother and protective father? Why shepherds?
      Then, today, I read Psalm 95:6-7 and it took on a whole new meaning three days before Christmas: "Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care." Psalm 95:6-7
    These men, rough but suddenly tender, crept toward the manger and took a knee to get a better look at the "Savior. . . . Christ the Lord:" a flock of caretakers for helpless sheep worshiped the One who would care for them in their helplessness against sin and death; men just in from the pasture fell down before the Prince of Peace whose glory had shone into their night. One day kings would follow a star to bow down and worship the King of kings, but first shepherds bowed before the Good Shepherd to remind us He came to care for all of us and to be Who each of us need Him to be. He's the Teacher to teachers and students alike; the Preacher to preachers and anyone who will listen with open hearts and ears; a simple carpenter to people who work with their hands; the Great Physician to those in the healing profession and to those who need healing; the older brother to those who need family; the One who had no place to lay His head to the homeless; Living Water for the thirsty and the Bread of Life for the hungry. He didn't become human to understand us better but to show us He already understood us and everything we need is in Him. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."  Merry CHRISTmas, favored one!
Savior, thank You for the Love that sent You to earth. If You changed the world in 33 years, what will You do in heaven for all eternity? Thank You for letting shepherds in on Your plan first. How comforting to know we don't have to be cleaned up and in our Sunday best for You to speak to us or for us to worship You. Help us to reach out to others as You reached out to us. Teach us to use every opportunity You give us to tell the Good News to anyone You put before us. Give us the gift of communicating Your Love to all kinds of people in whatever ways are needed most. 
In the Name of Jesus - Shepherd-King Who lived in flesh for 33 years but Who alone is immortal!


". . .which God will bring about in His own-- God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen."

"Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care." Psalm 95:6-7

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all --how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32

"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19