Jesus’ Birth

Beloved People of God,

Reading the Bible carefully we often find passages packed with foreshadowing. Luke’s Gospel is a great example of this. Like a great symphony, the theme is set at the start. We hear everything we need to know at the beginning.

Luke draws our attention to the fulfillment of the Messianic promise through the Old Testament in the words he chooses and the stories he tells. Many of the stories he adds to his Gospel, which mirrors that of the Apostle Matthew and his co-laborer Mark, drive this point home. More than any other book in the New Testament, Luke contrasts the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. God is the Most High (1.32, 35, 76; 6.35; 8.28) and His dwelling place is on high (1.78; 2.14; 19.38; 24.49).

So, when Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of the Most High God is born, who are the first witnesses to His Advent?! Not the powerful or important. Not emperors or the kings in the comfort of their kingdoms. No, the year of Jubilee is announced to the poor and lowly, to shepherds working in the middle of the night. Although the Messiah’s good news is for all people from every nation and economic status, the highest and glorious good news is good-est for the poor, the brokenhearted, the pushed down and bound (Isaiah 61.1-3).

The first evangelists in Luke’s gospel were the shepherds who followed the heavenly host’s announcement and found Jesus in the manger. When they saw Him for themselves, just as the angel proclaimed, “they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child,” (1.17). Their testimony revealed the gap between the natural and the supernatural, between the highest of high and the lowest and low. In their evangelism they rejoiced the Messiah from on High had drawn near to their lowly estate, declaring the Lord’s favor! Hearing the shepherd’s witness “all who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them,” (1.18).

This Sunday, our youngest will lead us. Our children and youth will make known to us what’s “been told them concerning this child.” May we marvel at their witness and follow their good news to the manger!

For His Name’s Sake,

Brett