The Shepherds


In the time of Jesus - Shepherds were men without much power or stature.  Their job, to watch over the sheep, was a boring one to be sure.  Their days were filled with counting animals and ensuring the sheep had enough food and water to sustain them.  Their nights were spent watching for predators, and sleeping on the ground.  

Lowly sheep.  Lowly shepherds.

UNTIL..

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them." - Luke 2:9-18

Yesterday I said I had been struck by the fact that God didn't always operate "as expected", and surely this is another example.

God could have announced the Messiah with trumpets and great fanfare.  Instead, He chose shepherds...

In the Bible there are lots of examples of God choosing unlikely subjects to accomplish AMAZING things:  Noah the drunk to save humanity, Moses the stutterer to confront Pharaoh, David the shepherd boy to slay a giant, Joseph the hated brother to avoid famine, Esther the Jewish queen to save her nation, Saul the Christian hunter to spread the gospel...

Today let us remember we do not have to be anything other than ourselves for God to use us in incredible ways.  All we have to do, is say "yes".




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