Hope and the Scandal of the Christmas Characters

RJ Reynolds interview:

At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ (the 1st time). How has Jesus made a difference in your life, RJ? (we see how Jesus made a difference in the shepherds AND all the characters of Christmas in the Bible).

As you follow Jesus, how have you seen God use you and Jenna and family? (for instance at work, digging graves at MRE, hosting students, raising kids, everyday faithfulness, etc). I love how God sent the shepherds on a mission to go see the child and in response they spread the word about Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

My name is Pastor Rick Schwartz, senior pastor here at First Missionary, and it is a joy to worship with you today.;

I want to read a very familiar passage on Christmas Day.

Luke 2:1–7 NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Before I keep reading—we are reminded that though it seems like Caesar Augustus is in control, making decrees—this is all part of God’s plan, fulfilling that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.

and it’s remarkable again as we have talked about surrender—I wonder if Joseph and Mary had a birth plan—this was probably not part of their original birth plan. haha.

let’s keep reading.

Luke 2:8–20 NIV

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The definition of the word “Scandal” means this: an action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage. We think of political scandals, bribery and corruption. Hollywood scandals with celebrities. Mega church scandals of abuse and power.

the Christmas story presented in the Bible is filled with it:

Jesus’ genealogy — his family tree—though descended from King David and Abraham—his family tree is like one big Jerry Springer episode.

Jesus’ birth—the fact that Joseph and Mary were not married, there would have been many whispers about Mary being pregnant before being married.

King Herod and the wise men—King Herod leads a horrible tragedy and scandal to kill baby Jesus, but kills all baby boys 2 and under in the Bethlehem vicinity. the fact that pagan, Gentile astrologers worship Jesus—the wise men would have been scandalous to the Jews.

and then we see perhaps one more scandal—and that’s the characters that God uses and appears to and identifies with.

Jesus’ birth—the eternal son of God becoming man—is not announced in glory to those in power, to the general public, but to shepherds, keeping watch…over their flocks at night.

what? why would God choose to announce his birth THAT way.

When somebody runs for political office—usually they have a PR team that says—let’s figure out when to do this, where, how, let’s announce it widely...

when a company has a new product—Apple or Google, releases a new gadget, they are strategic in how they announce it, when, and where.

why would God announce the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior…to shepherds at night?

here’s why:

(what is God teaching us: Hope and the Scandal of the Christmas Characters (or Shepherds)

b/c God delights in, invites, and uses unexpected people

Think about God’s glory—which was visible in big ways in the OT--

creation

God leading his people out of Egypt

10 plagues

parting the Red Sea

filling the tabernacle and temple in the OT

miracle after miracle

the Prophet Habakkuk promised the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord in the end time.

and surprisingly when the Son of God comes to earth—the glory of the Lord doesn’t show up in a temple or in a palace—but in a field to shepherds watching their sheep at night—in obscurity

now this may be a challenge and criticism to Israel’s leaders—that God doesn’t show up to them

but to shepherds.

many Biblical scholars have noted just how surprising this is, maybe even scandalous to religious people—that Jesus comes, the glory of the Lord comes—not to kings, those in power, or the religious leaders but to shepherds, who were much lower on the social ladder, uneducated, not influential in society.

yet incredibly faithful, would have been on alert, ALL THE TIME, protecting their sheep from predators, from danger, leading them faithfully. always on call.

and these shepherds hear, respond, they go in faith to see the child

they become some of the first witnesses, telling everyone about the Savior Jesus.

they are praising and glorifying God!

we learn that God’s good news—his coming is for all kinds of people—for Caesar Augustus earlier, for Mary and Joseph, and even for shepherds.

but it is also a reminder that God has come for all people. if you feel low on the totem pole of society, he has come for YOU. if you feel like you have to be one of the good people, or achieve something, or religious—the shepherds remind us “that’s not true.” No—God came to them—It’s his initiative, and He comes to you....

if you tend to feel higher on it and entitled, you dare not look down on others who society casts off—because God has come for them too. it may feel scandalous to you and some that God comes for sinners—even the worst of sinners. for those who humble themselves before God, admit their sin and need for him, look to Jesus—they are welcomed into his family (even on their death bed)---God shows his beautiful glory to—like the shepherds.

and btw—no matter how successful or powerful you are, all of us are just shepherds needing God. none of us are righteous, not even one. We are all like shepherds—actually the Bible says much worse—we are all like sheep going astray. it’s a scandal to our heart—that wants to feel superior, feel in control, feel like we can achieve something—but the Gospel cuts again this....

do you believe this?

2nd reason why God appears to shepherds...

b/c God identifies as a Shepherd

one of the reasons I believe that God appeared to shepherds—b/c that is one of the primary images God uses to reveal about Himself.

Yes He is a Creator

He is a king

He is a general—the Lord of Hosts

he is a Father

he is a counselor

and he is a Shepherd

that image of shepherd....becomes of the dominant images for God in the Bible. and though familiar, this may have been scandalous that our God would choose to use as one of his primary images in Scripture—that of a Shepherd.

why not something else?

b/c is teaching us something about us and Him. Think about us—as sheep

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery Sheep, Shepherd

Sheep were not fenced in and left to fend for themselves. Instead they were totally dependent on shepherds for protection, grazing, watering, shelter and tending to injuries. In fact, sheep would not survive long without a shepherd. Sheep are not only dependent creatures; they are also singularly unintelligent, prone to wandering and unable to find their way to a sheepfold even when it is within sight.

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery Sheep, Shepherd

The helplessness of sheep helps to explain the actions and qualities of a good shepherd, who in the Bible is a case study in care and compassion. It was the task of a shepherd to lead sheep from nighttime protection in a sheepfold on safe paths to places of grazing and watering. After morning grazing and watering, sheep typically lie down for several hours at midday in a shady or cool place (Song 1:7), returning at night to the sheepfold, where the shepherd would attend to fevered or scratched sheep. To protect sheep against predators, shepherds would carry two pieces of equipment, the *“rod and staff” of Psalm 23:4, one of them a clublike weapon and the other the familiar crook used for protection, rescue and placing across the backs of sheep to count them as they entered the sheepfold (a process known as “the rodding of the sheep”; see Lev 27:32). Psalm 23, built around a typical day in the life of a shepherd, is a virtual handbook of these shepherding practices.

Shepherds were thus providers, guides, protectors and constant companions of sheep. They were also figures of authority and leadership to the animals under their care. So close is the connection between shepherd and sheep that to this day Middle Eastern shepherds can divide flocks that have mingled at a well or during the night simply by calling their sheep, who follow their shepherd’s voice. Shepherds are inseparable from their flocks, and their work is demanding, solitary and sometimes dangerous (Gen 31:38–40; 1 Sam 17:34–35). Shepherds were aided by their sons or daughters (Gen 37:12; 1 Sam 16:11) or hired help (Jn 10:12–13), again placing them in a position of authority and responsibility.

this image of shepherding becomes an image of leadership in the Bible—Moses, Joshua called to shepherd the people. King David was to shepherd the people of Israel.

as great as these shepherds were—they failed. constantly God’s leaders failed.

but God doesn’t...

Psalm 23 — (read with me) The Lord is my Shepherd — he leads me, he makes me lie down in great pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. he guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Ezekiel 34 -----

John 10:10-15 — Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd…

John 10:10–15 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1 Peter 5:1–4 NIV

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

you see—not only do the shepherds remind us of the kind of people God reaches, invites, and serves...

but reminds us of who He is—how he delights to lead, guide, care, protect you—if you place your entire life all the time in his hands.

do you realize your need for him?

do you realize He is a good Shepherd?

the scandal of the shepherds is that he invites all kinds of people in and he identifies with them.

if you do—he will invite you in like these shepherds, and use your for his glory like these shepherds. let’s pray.

As part of our response, I asked RJ Reynolds if he would allow me to briefly interview him…i think it is powerful to hear someone who has been impacted by the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ...

At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ (the 1st time). How has Jesus made a difference in your life, RJ? (we see how Jesus made a difference in the shepherds AND all the characters of Christmas in the Bible).

As you follow Jesus, how have you seen God use you and Jenna and family? (for instance at work, digging graves at MRE, hosting students, raising kids, everyday faithfulness, etc). I love how God sent the shepherds on a mission to go see the child and in response they spread the word about Jesus.