Day 8: Used for God (Luke 2:8–20)
Today’s Passage: Luke 2:8-20
Beyond their quaintness for Christmas pageants, what is the point of shepherds? We certainly have moved from the extraordinary to the extremely ordinary.
And that is the point.
Shepherds have a special place in God’s heart. Ordinary people are anything but ordinary in the eyes of God. The shepherds’ distinctive place tell us that we, too, hold a unique position with God.
In our world, it is the rich, the famous, and the powerful that the people listen to. How many celebrities make pronouncements about any manner of subject? They certainly have a right to have an opinion. It is striking the weight their opinion carries.
What is the weight of the opinion of a shepherd? In the world of Mary and Joseph’s day—not much. Their testimony was not accepted in a court of law. And that is the point. God uses the lowly of his world.
What exactly has God used the shepherds for? Quite plainly to announce that the Savior of the world has been born! WOW, that is a huge privilege.
God will use anyone open to him, but he does make a habit of using those at the bottom of the ladder. Why? Because they are not on the bottom rung of his ladder. He loves and values all. He has a purpose for everyone. All, bear his image.