“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” – Luke 2:8-9
While shepherds played an important role in Hebrew history they were near the bottom of the social ladder in that day. During the time of Christ they were disrespected by the religious leaders due to their irregular observance of the ceremonial laws. And the were despised by others due to their reputation for stealing as they traveled from place to place. But all that didn’t matter to God. he has never been impressed by social status. He is the champion of the down and out. Remember, it was the common people that gladly listened to Christ. The fact that shepherds first received this news was no coincidence – it was by divine design and for good reason. “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” ( 1 Cor. 1:27).
Jesus came to minister to those in need – the “poor.. brokenhearted.. captives.. blind.. bruised” ( Luke 4:18). He rendered aid to the outcast and down-trodden. And His concern has not diminished over the years. As the old song says, “Jesus cares”. Regardless of who you are, or what you’ve done, or what others think about you, Jesus cares about you! You might feel, as Paul did, that you are the chief of sinners, but Christ has an interest in you, a love for you, and He proved it by sacrificing Himself to be your Savior! You might be justly incarcerated for some awful crime and deprived of privileges that others enjoy, but He loves you nonetheless. That is “good tidings of great joy” and it is “to all people“. That includes you! Will you trust Him today? – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
