Tuesday, December 23, 2014

December 23: Stinky Shepherds to Royal Reporters?



December 23:

Luke 2: 8-20 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  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 of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, and on earth peace to men 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

When my son was little and didn’t want to do his homework, I (somewhat) jokingly said, “That’s fine.  Someday, when you are working at the Metrodome, scrubbing toilets, Dad and I will stop by to see you now and then.” The reference to this undesirable task was usually enough to get him back on track.

Even though it no longer exists, the Metrodome was a large professional sports stadium, and reportedly (I am not male, never was in there, and cannot confirm), in the men’s bathrooms, there were troughs instead of urinals.  In considering the amount of beer that is typically consumed at a professional sporting event, I don’t think it’s much of stretch to assume that cleaning these bathrooms was a messy, unpleasant job. *

During the time of Christ, an equally unpleasant job was that of a shepherd.  According to historical reports, shepherding ranked up there with. . .nothing.  It was the most despicable job, and therefore, those who were in the occupation were the most despicable people in society.

As a shepherd, one was basically cut off from society.  First, this was due to proximity.  Shepherds spent the majority of their time in fields away from the general populace.  Secondly, they were cut off because people were generally suspicious of them.  Justified or not, shepherds were stereotyped as dirty, stinky, shifty thieves, so they were, as a byproduct, distrusted and shunned.  In short, no one wanted to be around them.  Period.

So why did God choose the outcasts of society to be the recipients of the big birth announcement?

God specializes in blowing our minds by doing the exact opposite of the predictable or expected.  In fact, (speaking generally, of course), the way things roll in Heaven is often the inverse of the way things roll on Earth. Worldly expectations and routine are rooted in sin and self while neither of those exists in Heaven.  Thus, when God chose the shepherds, He chose the least important in society to be the purveyors of the most important news.  In essence, He was elevating the most lowly to a position of power and authority.

In addition, God sends a pretty clear message about His accessibility as a ruler.  He is God for all, not just certain classes or castes.  All of His people are important to Him; no one is better than another. 

Likewise, by choosing the shepherds, He begins the first, of many, practical, real world lessons in which He shows us the importance and value of putting others first.  Humility is a common theme with God, and here we see Him underscoring it as He takes His first mortal breaths on Earth. Even though He is King, the “servants” are given a special place at Court.

Shepherds are also an apt choice because of their relative simplicity.  As shepherds, they didn’t get a lot of company, and no one ever paid any attention to them. Their lives were simple, and it’s probably safe to assume that their thinking was too. It is this child-like simplicity that God admires.  Mark 10:15 “15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Belief is simple; over-thinking is what causes us to hesitate. 

Like children, the shepherds no doubt reacted with wonder and believed without question.  Imagine their astonishment not only at the angel’s words but also in regard to the crazy star party. “Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14).

Like children who cannot keep a secret, there was no way that these shepherds could keep something so amazing to themselves.  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.’ (Luke 2: 15).

For the first time in their lives, something epic had happened to them; these shepherds had been charged to deliver an important message. For once, instead of being the butt of every social joke, the shepherds  were the power-brokers, dispatched by the Almighty God.

When I first started teaching, the best piece of advice I ever received is something I still practice to this day.  I was told to always “make friends” (translation: always respect) with the janitors and secretaries because they are the real backbone of a school, and it’s true. Many teachers make the mistake of “copping an attitude” because they are teachers – as if they are somehow better, smarter, and/or more important.  That kind of attitude can earn a person many enemies and few friends.  (Plus, it’s just a stupid attitude.  ALL school employees work together to educate a child.)

As this example shows, respect is given when respect is shown.   Likewise, one of the best-kept secrets in effective leadership is to gain (ethically) the support of the disenfranchised, apathetic, and/or powerless. This is done when a leader genuinely offers, relinquishes, and supports opportunities for power and involvement to and with others, especially those who feel unnecessary or forgotten.  

One of the most basic desires of all humans is belonging.  We want to know that our voice matters – that we matter. Knowing us as intimately as He does, God recognized this need/desire in the shepherds and satisfied it by giving them the opportunity to deliver the big news. 

 “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: 17-18).

As an added bonus (which God already knew would happen), the shepherds became loyal and true believers.The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20). 

As laughable as it sounds, I can almost envision God, rubbing His hands together like John “Hannibal” Smith of the 80s TV show, The A-team, as He says, “I love it when a plan comes together.”  There are no accidents, coincidences, or random occurrences when it comes to God, the Creator of the Universe. 

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 “’But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Challenge: Do the task no one else wants to do.  There is always one.  A servant’s heart is invaluable.  Not only does it teach humility; it also shows others a better way to live.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

*Disclaimer: I am not dissing anybody who cleans toilets for a living.  When I worked at the Dairy Queen right after I graduated from college, I scrubbed more than my fair share of toilets and cleaned both men’s and women’s bathrooms. It’s hard work, and someone has to do it.

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