BETHLEHEM—THE
SHEPHERD’S FIELDS
During
each Holy Land Pilgrimage our Lakes Church Lead Pastor Dr. Aaron D. Burgner shared
with us a moving message from Luke 2:1-20 about the miraculous birth of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from a cave adjacent to The Shepherd’s Fields in
Bethlehem, where we sang “Silent Night.”
“Kataluma”
is the Greek word for the place where Jesus was born. Many homes were built on
top of caves, and this word refers to the cave basement area that served as a
holding pen for livestock at night. During the
winter months, people often lit a fire in the doorway at night to keep the
animals warm and prevent them from escaping. Jesus was likely born in a kataluma
like this, and probably laid in a stone manger, because that’s what most
mangers were made of at the time. Meanwhile in a nearby field, angels appeared
to the shepherds telling them the Messiah had been born. Fear not…I bring
you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.—Luke 2:10-11
Shepherds
were nomads, men of ill repute, known as thieves. Mary and Joseph have
nothing, they are peasants, even in their hometown. But God uses His angels and
then a bunch of crooked shepherds to announce His grace. Shepherds are the worst
type of people you can imagine. This is who God is burdened for and appeared to.
God’s team is built by incompetent sinners. God calls the weak and the broken
so that He would be qualified. That’s why you can’t come to Christ until you’re
broken. Hell is full of nothing but once-proud people. So, if you’re a proud
person today just know your end will not be a problem, but rather humiliating
death. But if you come broken to Christ, he will be glorified and you will be
made new. We are shepherds, the first preachers in the Bible, the first
evangelists are thieves who have been given good news in the mist of their
thievery. Shepherds remind us that the good shepherd has come. The Old Testament
refers metaphorically to God as the “shepherd of Israel.” Christ knows you
completely, Christ gave himself for you, Christ called you and brought you to
himself, Christ owns you and will never abandon you, Christ gives you eternal
life, Christ guards you and keeps you forever. Like the shepherds we too will
respond. With proclaiming? With worship? Peace on earth! Peace with God, Peace
with your past, Peace for today, resting in Christ. God’s peace does not depend
on circumstances.
Getting
a glimpse of Jesus can light up our lives as well, just like the shepherds. We can take him for granted and miss the
blessing of his presence or be distracted by other things in the world. But if
we eagerly look for Christ in our everyday goings and comings, draw close to
him through prayer in our families, our work, our difficulties and trials, we,
too, will get a new glimpse of God. Our hearts will be renewed, and others will
come to know him through us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for letting me see the Savior! I rejoice as the shepherds did long ago. Jesus is alive, he has come and is coming again! Lord Jesus, thank you for being a light to reveal God to the nations so that more people can know and worship our Father. Thank you for bringing us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. I want to shine your light everywhere I go so that everyone around me will be drawn to you. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Look
Up—meditate on Luke 2:1-20 …pray to
see what it reveals about the character of God.
Look
In—as you meditate on Luke 2:1-20 …pray to see how you might apply it
to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries:
"Because God is_________, I will_____________."
Look
Out—as you meditate on Luke 2:1-20…pray to see how you might apply it
to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every
relationship, for your good, and for His glory.
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