Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/1056515
20 22 A Refreshing Kingdom Patty Pell, MA Director of Justice and Mission Program W hen there is a significant and life-changing discovery or event in our world today, the first people to know about it are usually those in power and leadership. If a new medical procedure or vaccine is developed, the people holding high positions in the health care industry and in the government are first to be "in the know." Likewise, if there is good news in international affairs—for example, a cease-fire or a peace treaty—the people in power hear the announcement first. is is how we expect things to work, but the kingdom of God is different. We glimpse the difference in the birth narrative of Jesus. A king was born, a child who would grow up to bless all the nations and establish a kingdom forever, and who heard about this incredible news first? Not the powerful rulers, nor the religious leaders of the day, but a group of socially marginalized, economically struggling, working-class people: shepherds. When King Jesus was born, the angels of heaven came singing and praising God to announce the most historically significant event that had ever happened, appearing first to a group of shepherds working the night shift in the pastures. e angels proclaimed that the birth of this child was good news for all people, confirmed by the fact that they gave this announcement to those without influence or power. e birth story of our Lord Jesus is evidence that the kingdom of heaven does not function according to the rules of the world. e details of the story show the upside-down nature of the kingdom. e rich, the powerful, and the "important" are not more valuable or more deserving than those who struggle, suffer, and are invisible to the world. is seismic news was delivered first to the lowly. When the God of heaven and earth chose to take on flesh and dwell among His people to bring salvation to all, the news of this event was first proclaimed in a field at night to people without influence, wealth, or worldly significance. How gloriously refreshing! "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.'" - LUKE 2:8-12 15 December