I Know Your Hardship & Poverty
June 25, 2023
Luke 2:8-20 | Revelation 2:8-11
A God who sees.
When you think about it, there is a multitude of ways God could have chosen to bring fanfare to the birth of his son. Trumpets, chariots, gold, silver, and so on. God might have arranged it such that the Christ-child be born in the heart of Jerusalem, or even in the royal palace of Rome, if God really wanted to make a spectacle.
But that’s not how the story goes.
The Christ-child was born humbly, and the fanfare was displayed only in front of some third shift workers, shepherds. Why? Indeed, there are perhaps allusions to David the shepherd boy, Jesus’ ancestor. And all that will come in Jesus’ teaching and illustrations regarding shepherding and his role as care taker - the good shepherd, the 99 and 1, Peter’s charge to “Feed my sheep,” and much more - it all matters.
But there’s something here about a God who sees humanity in all its unglory. Not a royal palace, but some guys out in a field. They get to meet him first.
“I know your hardship and poverty.”
Luke 2:8-20
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Revelation 2:8-11
“Write this to the angel of the church in Smyrna:
These are the words of the one who is the first and the last, who died and came back to life: I know your hardship and poverty (though you are actually rich). I also know the hurtful things that have been spoken about you by those who say they are Jews (though they are not, but are really Satan’s synagogue). Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison in order to test you. You will suffer hardship for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Those who emerge victorious won’t be hurt by the second death.”
Prayer
God,
For seeing us, knowing us, and loving us, we give you thanks.
Now keep us within your justice and righteousness,
Receive our praise as we give our offering to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
Amen.