Just As You Are
Luke 2:8-15 - And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
The most discouraging, and also the most encouraging response I have received from someone while inviting them to church is something along the lines of: “Church isn’t for me, man… Look at me, I’m not what you’d expect to see in church. There are some things in my life I need to fix up first before I step through the doors of a church.” It’s discouraging to hear because it proves how little the world understands about church, God, and the good news of Jesus. However, it’s encouraging because we know, people like that tend to meet the standards and criteria that God demands in order to choose, save, and use someone to accomplish his will.
That’s right, God didn’t send an angel to appear to a king, dictator, president, wealthy or influential persons. Instead, they were shepherds - In their fields, too unclean to meet the religious and ceremonial demands because of the nature of their jobs. Their hands and bodies were always defiled and dirty. Poor, low class, and unable to meet the expectations of the world around them. That’s who God chose. To some lowly shepherds an angel appeared, the glory of God shone around, and a message of good news and great joy for ALL people was brought.
To those feeling less than significant this holiday season. To the hurting and broken. To those that feel beyond the reach of God. To those overwhelmed by the weight of their own sin. To those that feel they need to clean themselves up before they come to Christ…Christ came for you. Right where you’re at, with all the weight and baggage you think you’re carrying, he has come to you! Not with a message of judgement or rejection, but one of hope, peace, and great joy!
The chances are, that these shepherds were keeping a flock of sheep that would be used for temple sacrifices. They kept the lambs that would be regularly offered for the sins of some people… But here, the angels invited these shepherds to greet a different lamb, to welcome into the world the true lamb, the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. (Jn 1:36). When the angels left, these shepherds didn’t stop to wash, change their clothes, or put on the best version of themselves. They went to see the swaddled savior just as they were. So, wherever you find yourself today, come and see the savior just as you are. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to fix any glaring issues in your life, there is no cleaning or washing that will make you more presentable, because Jesus saves us just as we are.
The most discouraging, and also the most encouraging response I have received from someone while inviting them to church is something along the lines of: “Church isn’t for me, man… Look at me, I’m not what you’d expect to see in church. There are some things in my life I need to fix up first before I step through the doors of a church.” It’s discouraging to hear because it proves how little the world understands about church, God, and the good news of Jesus. However, it’s encouraging because we know, people like that tend to meet the standards and criteria that God demands in order to choose, save, and use someone to accomplish his will.
That’s right, God didn’t send an angel to appear to a king, dictator, president, wealthy or influential persons. Instead, they were shepherds - In their fields, too unclean to meet the religious and ceremonial demands because of the nature of their jobs. Their hands and bodies were always defiled and dirty. Poor, low class, and unable to meet the expectations of the world around them. That’s who God chose. To some lowly shepherds an angel appeared, the glory of God shone around, and a message of good news and great joy for ALL people was brought.
To those feeling less than significant this holiday season. To the hurting and broken. To those that feel beyond the reach of God. To those overwhelmed by the weight of their own sin. To those that feel they need to clean themselves up before they come to Christ…Christ came for you. Right where you’re at, with all the weight and baggage you think you’re carrying, he has come to you! Not with a message of judgement or rejection, but one of hope, peace, and great joy!
The chances are, that these shepherds were keeping a flock of sheep that would be used for temple sacrifices. They kept the lambs that would be regularly offered for the sins of some people… But here, the angels invited these shepherds to greet a different lamb, to welcome into the world the true lamb, the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. (Jn 1:36). When the angels left, these shepherds didn’t stop to wash, change their clothes, or put on the best version of themselves. They went to see the swaddled savior just as they were. So, wherever you find yourself today, come and see the savior just as you are. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to fix any glaring issues in your life, there is no cleaning or washing that will make you more presentable, because Jesus saves us just as we are.
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