I saw a shepherd the other day...
I saw a shepherd the other day on my way to work. I’ve never seen a shepherd before. He was leading about 30 sheep across the street and we stopped briefly to let him and his flock pass. He offered a slightly embarrassed wave of thanks and we went our way as he went his. He was wearing the standard issue Chinese winter coat with the typical communist style hat. It was obvious that his garb was no match for the cold and wind of that bitter December afternoon. His face appeared prematurely aged by years of weather and dirt. His crooked and rotten teeth and the callousness of his hands suggested that he hasn’t been invited to many social occasion recently, or maybe ever. His companions, who did not even have the good sense of a dog or a squirrel to get out of the way of a moving car, surely did not offer much in the form of friendship or pleasure.
I couldn’t help but think about the shepherds from the Christmas story. Surely this Chinese shepherd had much in common with his ancient near eastern brethren. I wondered how this shepherd would have fit if I would have invited him to our Christmas party. I imagine his social skills would have been awkward at best. He would have had no gift to bring – unless it were a white elephant party, then I am sure he would have plenty of gifts we could have laughed at. His hygiene and attire would have set him apart from the rest of the crowd, and if the crowd was not gracious, his odor would have literally set him apart.
The obvious question that this timely meeting brought to mind is “why?” Why did God choose shepherds to be the first witnesses to the birth of the King of kings, and Lord of lords? Why would He choose to have the angels invite guests to the birth of his Son who could not even bring a gift? Was their awkwardness in the stable the same as if I would have invited the Chinese shepherd to my Christmas party?
When I look at the Christmas story, however, the shepherds fit perfectly. They fit perfectly with a nameless, common, unwed yet pregnant teenager who was chosen to give birth to, change the diapers of, nurse, and raise the Christ. Shepherds fit well with a story whose setting is Bethlehem, a small insignificant town about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. They fit with the barn and feed trough where the Messiah spent his first night. They fit with the rest of the crowd – sheep, horses, and cows.
They also complement the rest of Jesus’ story. His ministry was to harlots, adulterers, tax collectors, “sinners.” His love was not, and IS not based on some diving merit system. His economy doesn’t know the word deserved, but it knows well the ridiculous concept of grace. His mission was not to sit on the throne, but to kneel in humble service. His job was not to rule, but to wash feet. He came not to be robed with splendor, but to be crowned with thorns.
Why Shepherds? An equally confounding question is, Why Me? With worldly, rational eyes, I deserve to be in the Lord’s presence about as much as shepherds deserve to be witnesses of His birth. In the economy of grace, the shepherds…and myself, are exactly the sort of company that the King of kings and Lord of lords wants.
I couldn’t help but think about the shepherds from the Christmas story. Surely this Chinese shepherd had much in common with his ancient near eastern brethren. I wondered how this shepherd would have fit if I would have invited him to our Christmas party. I imagine his social skills would have been awkward at best. He would have had no gift to bring – unless it were a white elephant party, then I am sure he would have plenty of gifts we could have laughed at. His hygiene and attire would have set him apart from the rest of the crowd, and if the crowd was not gracious, his odor would have literally set him apart.
The obvious question that this timely meeting brought to mind is “why?” Why did God choose shepherds to be the first witnesses to the birth of the King of kings, and Lord of lords? Why would He choose to have the angels invite guests to the birth of his Son who could not even bring a gift? Was their awkwardness in the stable the same as if I would have invited the Chinese shepherd to my Christmas party?
When I look at the Christmas story, however, the shepherds fit perfectly. They fit perfectly with a nameless, common, unwed yet pregnant teenager who was chosen to give birth to, change the diapers of, nurse, and raise the Christ. Shepherds fit well with a story whose setting is Bethlehem, a small insignificant town about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. They fit with the barn and feed trough where the Messiah spent his first night. They fit with the rest of the crowd – sheep, horses, and cows.
They also complement the rest of Jesus’ story. His ministry was to harlots, adulterers, tax collectors, “sinners.” His love was not, and IS not based on some diving merit system. His economy doesn’t know the word deserved, but it knows well the ridiculous concept of grace. His mission was not to sit on the throne, but to kneel in humble service. His job was not to rule, but to wash feet. He came not to be robed with splendor, but to be crowned with thorns.
Why Shepherds? An equally confounding question is, Why Me? With worldly, rational eyes, I deserve to be in the Lord’s presence about as much as shepherds deserve to be witnesses of His birth. In the economy of grace, the shepherds…and myself, are exactly the sort of company that the King of kings and Lord of lords wants.
Amen...
ReplyDeleteGood stuff my friend...
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