Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59 NIV.
Read: Luke 2: 1-16
I love the vision of a group of shepherds just minding their business when they receive the most glorious serenade. How fitting that God chose to first share the news about the birth of the shepherd of us all to a group of shepherds one night.
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. Luke 2: 10-11, NIV
When I was 10 years old, I got a book as a gift from my neighborhood Sunday school teacher called “The Tanglewood Secret”. As an avid reader, I read it very quickly. The book tells the story of three children who come to know Jesus as one who cares for them as a shepherd cares for his sheep. That story really made an impression on my young mind. Many years later, I decided to track down the book. I was happy to find it at a used book store, and so I decided to share it with my girls as a family read aloud.
Over and over in the book, the image is presented of a shepherd who is willing to go to extreme lengths to save even one lost sheep. The most poignant visual is that of a shepherd reaching over a precipice to save a sheep that is very badly tangled in the brambles. The shepherd is leaning precariously over the side of the cliff with extended hands to the sheep that is still out of reach.
“Will he be able to rescue the sheep?” one of the characters in the story asked doubtfully.
The angels announced boldly and gloriously to the shepherds on the hills that night:
“Oh Yes!” Oh yes! The shepherd of us all has come to rescue the sheep!”
However, this shepherd will not rescue us with a staff. One Friday evening in years to come, He will culminate his rescue mission carrying a wooden cross up a lonely hill to pay the ransom for our sins–death on a cruel cross.
By the time I read the book to my girls, some of the references and content of this old book were somewhat lost on them. And yet the image of a caring shepherd stayed with us long after we had read the final page. Jesus is the good shepherd of us all!
REFLECT: Why do you think God chose to make the announcement to shepherds in the field at night? How is the image of Jesus as a the shepherd of us all comforting to you?
Live deep; laugh much.
I help individuals create space and develop habits and strategies to live a flourishing life — one goal at a time.