God announces the best gift known in human or spirit history only to two groups of people. Shepherds, which are the lowest of the low in Jewish society, not because they are shepherds, but typically because they can't be bat mizvahed. This is because they can't read or write, which is a requirement to proceed to Jewish manhood. So, instead of living "within the law" they are "out" law if you will. Yet, God chooses to reveal his only son to them...and them alone. Not to the High Priests, not to Herod...or to Rome even...but to shepherds. To the outlaw, to the lowly, the uneducated, smelly and poor. Jesus later identifies himself as the Good Shepherd. Interesting.
Do you get the elegance of this?? He reveals his SON - the long awaited MESSIAH...to only them! It shows how important these folks are to the Kingdom established in the manger in Bethlehem. Messiah has come and he only tells the shepherds. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
The 2nd group he reveals to is some Asian men from Babylon. Not a Jew in the bunch...some wise men in Babylon and somehow they figure out that they must go and see he who was born, King of the Jews. This ticks Herod off to no end! The story is so amazing...
God is so amazing...he changes the course of human history with the birth of his son and with who he chooses to tell. I know some shepherds in my life...who I need to be a little nicer to. I also know some wise men.
I'm thankful for tonight and for the revelation of Jesus on earth to Shepherds.
1 comment:
I'm so glad I serve the God of Surprises. It truly is an upside-down kingdom.
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