BETHLEHEM—THE SHEPHERDS’ FIELD
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 Shepherds’ Field in Bethlehem, where our church members sang a heart-felt chorus of “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.
As our Israeli tour bus drove toward Bethlehem, I began to wonder, what would it have been like for Joseph and Mary as they approached Bethlehem 20 centuries ago? Was the five-mile stretch of road from Jerusalem as bustling as it is today? What did they see? What did they hear?
As we approach the town, we notice all the terraced olive groves, which march up the dry hills like steps leading to a temple. And then, suddenly, there it is: Bethlehem, the ancient "House of Bread"--clinging to a ridge as if clinging to history itself. O, little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Naturally, no one can be sure exactly where Jesus' birth occurred in Bethlehem, but you just know that, wherever the exact spot, it couldn't have been far away. That thought alone pierces through all the touristy glitz and fairly takes your breath away in anticipation.
Standing in the city of Bethlehem, looking out on the Shepherd's Fields I can just imagine the heavens opening up and the angels descending and shouting, Glory to God in the highest, unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. When the shepherds in the field were surprised by the appearances of the angel and the heavenly host, their initial terror quickly turned to joy. Just as the angel had said, they found the baby, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. For these simple men with open hearts, it was a process of surprise, shock, fear, disbelief, hope, trust, confirmation, and finally indescribable joy! Joy at seeing the Christ child. Joy at having been singled out for the unique honor of being present at the very moment in history when God came near. Joy at having witnessed the one birth that gives meaning to all other births.
When Mary heard those first cries of divine life wrapped in human flesh, any thought of disappointment must surely have turned into immeasurable peace and joy! Even His name, Emmanuel, "El" means "God," the rest of the word means"with us," the "with us God." He created us to be with us. He gave each of us a longing for Him by creating every single human being with a "with" need. While the world carried on unconcerned, the infant Emmanuel cooed and kicked and toddled His way to His feet. God, the Immortal Invisible, walked among His people, Israel, as they sojourned through the wilderness. But not until now did His invisible feet sink into the sand, shod with skin, making visible prints. And God was with us. Emmanuel.
What do we learn from the unlikely circumstances of Jesus' birth, but that our God is a God of surprises. How He delights in bringing us unexpected joy! How many times have we seen God most clearly in the middle of a crisis? How many times have we discovered the miraculous in the midst of the mundane?
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 midst 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.
What a wonderful truth that Jesus came for the humble, the broken, and the crooked ones. For all of us. Thanks for sharing with S&S this week
ReplyDeleteKym, thank you so much for stopping by with your always encouraging comments. It is a blessing to share with your friends at Scripture & A Snapshot each week. Many blessings to you..
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