Originally published in the Union Springs Herald on December 28, 2011.
Our
Christmas celebrations have come to an end once again. Nevertheless, the many
truths of Christmas endure all year long. One of those truths is always
stunning to me. In fact, it may be nothing short of miraculous. What is this
enduring truth? It is simply this: the good news of Christmas is good news for
all people. No matter who you are, where you've been, or what you've done. The
good news of the Savior's birth is for you.
Consider
the story of the shepherds in Luke's account of Jesus' birth. Luke tells us
that angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in a field near
Bethlehem. In those days, shepherds were considered second class citizens. They
lived on the margins of society. They often lived and slept outdoors, because
they couldn't leave their sheep unattended. Shepherds in the ancient world
weren't even allowed to testify in court, because they were prejudicially
considered untrustworthy.
When God
decided to announce the birth of his son, he didn't send his messengers to the
capital city or the governor's house or the king's palace. Instead, he chose to
announce the good news of the birth of Jesus to the people everyone else
considered to be less than human and unimportant. Why does Luke include this
detail? It's because he wants us to know that the good news of Jesus' birth is
for everyone, even poor, outcast shepherds.
Consider
also the story of the magi in Matthew's account of Jesus' birth. The magi were
foreigners from the east who came to honor Jesus. In today's world, we would
probably call them immigrants. They traveled from a far off place to give gifts
to Jesus. Why does Matthew include this story about foreigners coming to
worship the little Jewish king? He wants every reader to understand that this
king has come for everyone. No single race or nationality has a monopoly on
Jesus. He comes for everyone, no one is excluded based on where they are from.
It's also
worth observing that the magi appear to have been wealthy, since they gave gold
to Jesus as a gift. This is quite a contrast to the poor shepherds in Luke's
gospel who had only their adoration to offer. This is a helpful reminder that
Jesus welcomes all people to himself. Whether rich or poor, immigrant or local,
the good news of Christmas is for everyone.
Perhaps
there has been a time in your life when you were made to feel marginalized or
second class. Perhaps you've been concerned that you have nothing of value to
offer to Christ. You need to know that the ground is level around the Bethlehem
manger. All who come to Christ in faith are welcomed by him. Will you come?
_____
1 comment:
Not trying to be provocative here Matt, but the Gospel is "folly to those who are perishing" [1 Cor 1:18], and indeed it is veiled to those same people [2 Cor 4:3].
As [2 Cor 2:15-16] says "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life."
This is obviously (and plainly) part of the rock of 'stumbling' and rock of 'offence' part of the Gospel, but still we should seek to understand it. The Gospel is not 'actually' good news for all people. At most it is only 'potentially' good news for all people. At least, this seems to be what the Gospel teaches (reading those quotes above plainly).
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