Worthy or Enough?

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! Luke 2:8-11(LB) 

Bethlehem is a small town. You can walk from one end to another in minutes. It’s a very hilly town with crowded streets, strip malls, churches, and housing. Two thousand years ago, it wasn’t as populated as it is today. There was no electricity or car headlights to brighten the skies.

Some shepherds were hanging out with their sheep in the fields, and an angel showed up. Luke tells us that the glory of God brightened the sky. Can you imagine how scared the shepherds were? But then the angel told them not to be afraid -Yeah, sure! - and continued to share the good news with them. The Messiah is born!

They must have looked skeptical, so the angel gave them more proof that this was true. He told them where to find the baby and how he would look. But even that must not have been enough proof because he called in back-up. Angels filled the sky shouting, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

I think it convinced the shepherds.

God chose to tell lowly shepherds about the birth of his son before anyone else. He thought they were worthy to be among the first to know that the Messiah had been born. That comforts me. Jesus came to save the whole world. He didn’t come just for those who were good, rich, or important. Each one of us is worthy and enough to God.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.