Overturned religion, power and importance (Luke 2:1-20)
If God was to come to the world, to whom would such an announcement be made to first? I guess that many in our culture would think, and expect, the powerful and influential people. As much as we don’t always like politicians, we’d probably agree they are the type of person that fit the bill.
However, the people that Jesus’ birth announcement was made to, and God’s involvement, is a complete surprise. At the time of Jerusalem’s demise way back in 587 BC, the Bible records that God’s glory left the temple. Since Solomon’s temple, the ‘Holy of Holies’ was where God’s glory rested, permanently. This zone in the temple was so holy, that only the High Priest could visit, and only once a year. But when Jesus’ birth is announced out in the fields, Luke tells us God’s glory reappears. Not in the temple, but in a dirty paddock, to the lowly and religiously unclean shepherds. God’s announcement that prioritises the shepherds, sets up the pattern of Jesus: an interest in all people. Those normally on the outside of religion, power and influence can be assured that God hasn’t forgotten them, in fact is interested in them too.
The announcement in the paddocks of Bethlehem is a dramatic surprise. God’s glory appears at the announcement, not in the spiritual capital of Jerusalem, not to the religious elite priests, but instead in a dirty field to lowly shepherds. God isn't going to ignore people like you and me either. God’s interest in the shepherds means he is interested in everyone.
What is God showing us by sharing the message of Jesus birth first with lowly shepherds?
Simon Hill - Simon enjoys thinking and writing about theology, particularly seeing it become practical. His academic and professional experience has been in engineering, theology and ministry.
Photo by milind bedwa on Unsplash
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