Just a Shepherd

December 23, 2018

Just a Shepherd

Fear Not

The streets and shops of Bethlehem were noisy and crowded - jam-packed with worn and weary travelers, all coming to be counted, their property registered for tax purposes. But it was an ordinary night on the outskirts of town. The fields were quiet, peaceful, calm. A rag-tag group of outcasts lay stargazing alongside their flocks, grateful to be out of the fray. They didn’t need to join the hustle and bustle in Bethlehem. Because they didn’t count. They were outcasts, despised and rejected, with nothing of value to register. They kept their distance, safe on the fringes, away from the judgment and rejection of those who were better, or who thought they were. 

Suddenly, everything changed… 
 

“That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! 

But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” 
Luke 2:8-12 The Passion Translation

 
This week, we’re taking a closer look at the story of the shepherds and their encounter with the angel. I wonder if they considered just staying in the fields, content to be recipients of a great message, but leery of getting out of their comfort zone and making the trek into town? But that announcement rocked their world. After all, the angel said the news was for EVERYONE, even lowly shepherds. So they took the steps; they got up and made the journey toward the Messiah. Though their fears were legitimate, they didn’t let those fears hold them back. The promise of rescue was worth the risk. This most joyous news is just as much for you as it was for them. But like the shepherds, we all have things that can hold us back, fears that keep us from moving toward relationship with Jesus. In this message we explore the fears harbored in the hearts of the shepherds, the same ones we just might find in our own.