Advent Reading for Sunday, December 13, 2015
From Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
Take a moment and fix your eyes again on our King. Turn from the distractions of this busy season, and see. The King of kings and Lord of lords himself has stepped down to shepherd his people. He came to heal the sick and find the lost, to bring good news! We were all, like straying sheep, helpless and harassed, sick with sin, chased by death. We were like sheep without a shepherd. We followed the ways of the prince of the power of the air, we walked in darkness, stumbling about, blinded by sin and limping in weakness. But Jesus, the good shepherd, stooped to feed us with his body. He caused us to lie down in the green pastures of God’s kingdom. He came to lead us beside the still waters of the river of life. He came to restore us! He once said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for the Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Pleased? Could it be? He came to die, yes, but ultimately to rise again and reign forever! He has done all of this according to his good pleasure! He delights to be our shepherd, unlike a hired hand who cares nothing for the sheep. It pleases him to see that we dwell secure under his watchful eye and mighty arm. His name is great, and he himself is our peace. He is the shepherd of his people! In hope and trust, behold your King!
