The world demands we be worthy, that we earn everything. Yet God loves us though we are unworthy and have earned nothing. He doesn't recognize position, wealth, or success. Rather, He sees a person's heart. He knows those forgiven much will love much. He lifts up the humble, oppressed, distressed, and helpless...because He loves them...because He loves you.

Take care & be God's,

Chuck

To Lowly Shepherds

by Suzanne Taylor

God could have lit up the sky and sent angels throughout the world to announce the King of kings was born...but He didn't. God could have arranged for Mary to deliver the Christ in the finest hotel with all the scribes there to record the birth of His precious Son...but He didn't. He could have called for the temple priests to come see this Savior who was born among them...but He didn't. So, to whom did God announce the birth of our precious Lord? Lowly shepherds in the fields! (Luke 2:8-12)

These men and boys, considered low as dogs, spent their lives in the fields, moving the sheep from pasture to pasture and one watering hole to another. All their time was with the sheep and they didn't go home after an eight or ten hour shift. A shepherd knew each sheep by sight and the sheep knew his voice. They fed and watered the sheep, and protected them from wolves.

It was unthinkable that God would announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds. Since water was not wasted on bathing, they were dirty and smelled like sheep. They did not perform the ritual cleansings demanded by the Jewish faith. And since they would not leave the sheep, they could not make sacrifices for the atonement of their sin. The Pharisees considered them filthy, not just physically but spiritually, and would not allow the shepherds to participate in the Sabbath or holy days at the temple.

So why did God make His proclamation to shepherds and give them the amazing task of testifying about the birth of the Savior, especially when few would ever believe them, of all people? Because Jesus came for all who are lost in the smut of sin! He came to save everyone, from lowly shepherds to high temple priests. No one is too ordinary or lowly in life to be reached by Jesus. No one is so prestigious as to be loved more by the Father. God knew that the shepherds would be grateful to hear of the birth of the long-awaited Christ. He knew they would go find Him. (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7)

And where was our mighty warrior King found? In a feeding trough in a dirty, foul stable! There was no pomp or ceremony. He was born in a world of sin which makes all mankind dirty and foul before Him. Yet Jesus has known us all along. Though once blind and deaf to Him by pride and sin, we hear His voice, recognize our Shepherd, and follow Him.

I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me(John 10:14). The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:27).

Jesus loved the shepherds as much as He did anyone. He didn't come only for the spiritual, political, or financial leaders, but for all mankind everywhere. Sinners are His business. Listen and perhaps you will hear the voice of the Lord calling you to testify of His birth and announce it wherever you go. Remember what Paul wrote: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).

Praise God for His great love that has saved us, through Him who is called Jesus, Emmanuel, Messiah, King, Lord and Shepherd.