OUR SHEPHERD’S GREATNESS

He will be GREAT, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David – Luke 1:32

Shepherds are seldom known to be celebrities or great personalities. They are usually common folk. But the birth of JESUS seemed to elevate shepherding to a place of honour. Few divinely-positioned shepherds welcomed the newly-born Messiah: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Lk.2:8). They witnessed an angelic visitation; received “good tidings of great joy” and direction to the baby’s manger; were soaked in heavenly praise; privileged to see the Saviour; and became heaven’s emissaries and worshippers (Lk.2:9-20).

Although the baby JESUS was born in a manger – the humblest of places – He had a great destiny. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, the mother: “He will be GREAT…”! He who was born to be GREAT is now our Great Shepherd; both reflecting His humanity. The man Christ Jesus stooped very low. He was a little babe clinging to Mary’s breast. He grew up so poor that He had nowhere to lay His head. He was accused of having a devil, and being mad. In the reckoning of the earth’s great ones, He was an ignorant Galilean. He was brought very low in His trial, condemnation, and suffering. He didn’t look great when He was sold at the price of a slave, or when they bound Him and led Him to the judgement seat as a villain, or when they smote and blindfolded Him and spat on His face, or when He was scourged, led through the streets bearing the cross, or when He was hung up covered with bloody sweat to die between two thieves, or when He was buried in a borrowed tomb.

Psalm 113:5-6 asks: “Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” Philippians 2:5-11 echo similar thoughts concerning Jesus. Little wonder He is able to be touched by the feelings of our infirmities and inadequacies: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb.4:15). Our Great Shepherd is great in His Person, in Goodness (Ps.31:19), in Kingship (Ps.48:1-2); in Deeds (Ps.71:19); and in His Name (Ps.99:3). He is great in Mercy (Ps.103:11), Works (Ps.111:2), Wonders (Ps.136:4), Thoughts (Ps.139:17), and in Power (Ps.147:5).

However, the ultimate Manifestation of His Greatness was fulfilled beyond the empty TOMB. Our Great Shepherd is the RISEN LORD: “the God of peace…brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that GREAT SHEPHERD of the sheep” (Heb.13:20). He who was despised, rejected, and crucified, now sits glorious on His Father’s throne, anointed “Kings of kings, and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16). Lifted from the lowest depths, He is set in the greatest heights to reign forever and ever. The Story of the Great Shepherd – from the humble manger to the throne of Glory – is the assurance of our stories. Our greatness is birthed in His Greatness. Because He died, rose, and lives, we can face tomorrow with certainty of triumph!