The Youngest Shepherd
"I WANT TO Go TOO," said the youngest shepherd. "Benjamin, we need you to
stay," said his father, still dazed after the angelic visit. The small band
of
shepherds quickly gathered their composure leaving the boy alone to tend to
the flock.
It was not the first time he had watched the sheep in the dead of night; he
was not afraid. He had been more afraid of the angel, at first. Now he was
excited.
And he did not want to miss the chance to see the baby the angel had
announced. But he was the youngest and had to do what he was told.
As he watched his father and the other shepherds descend the dark hillside
with Bethlehem's dim lights visible in the distance he promised himself that
he too would someday go and see the Christ child.
When his father returned, Benjamin was told that the baby's name was Jesus
and that his father was a carpenter from Nazareth. But Benjamin still could
not
go to see him. The more time passed the more he turned the angel's words
over in his mind. Benjamin's heart leapt each time he thought of them. "For
unto
you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the
Lord."... ... "Christ the Lord!"
Sometime later, he heard the Magi from the East had come to see the baby.
Benjamin missed seeing them too. Soon after, soldiers came through the town
and
murdered all the babies. Benjamin's brother, Isaac, was among the young
martyrs. There were whispers that Jesus had gotten away. "Egypt," they said.
Benjamin
would never see the Savior now. He was gone forever. But he remembered...
"Christ the Lord!"
Years passed quickly and Benjamin became a dependable, hard working young
man with his own flock and young family. He frequently went to Jerusalem for
business
and worship. The memory of the angel's message never faded in his mind ..
"Christ the Lord"
On one of his visits he heard a young boy's voice in the distance
instructing the teachers. There was a large crowd and no opportunity for a
glimpse, but
someone in the crowd said, "His name is Jesus". Could it be? He replayed the
angel's words...
"Christ the Lord!"
Many more years passed, Benjamin was the only shepherd left from that
wonderful night. A shepherd's life was hard and his dad had not lived past
40 years.
Benjamin was 39 now. He had grown into a quiet and wise man. He was a man of
intense faith. How he wished he could have seen that baby in the manger. He
often rested in the words "Christ the Lord!"
Over the last three years there had been much talk of a teacher and miracle
worker. The people called him a Prophet by the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Benjamin
always missed him despite his best efforts. He was always in the wrong place
at the wrong time. He never heard his lessons or saw his signs and wonders.
But he knew... "Christ the Lord!"
Benjamin was at home when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem, but he knew.
"Christ the Lord!"
Benjamin was sorry he missed the clearing of the Temple, but he was even
surer ... "Christ the Lord"!
Benjamin rushed to Jerusalem to try to see Jesus---the crowds were
tremendous. He did not see him. But he was certain..... "Christ the Lord!"
The atmosphere in the city became heavy, like the day his never-forgotten
brother was murdered. Jesus was taken away. The politicians Benjamin
despised
so deeply were in charge now. In the distance, a couple of blocks away, he
heard a roar of voices, "Crucify him, crucify him." Benjamin wondered
whether
he should go see what was happening; he did not. Later he was told Jesus had
been arrested. Still he knew ... "Christ the Lord!"
Even if Benjamin tried he would not be able to leave Jerusalem. The streets
were packed and the tension extreme. In the distance a crowd lined the
narrow
street leading to Golgotha. Soldiers, politicians, Pharisees, and the
curious all rushed to the foot of the hill. Benjamin did not. All around him
people
whispered, afraid to speak aloud, "Jesus of Nazareth is being crucified."
For the first time Benjamin wondered... "Christ the Lord?"
Eventually, he made his way home, near where it had all started. He arrived
just before dark, broken hearted. Gathering his family around him, they
worshiped.
Benjamin tried to reassure himself... "Christ the Lord."
Sunday morning Benjamin and his young son forced them-selves to go into
Jerusalem. There was unfinished business to attend to. On the way his son
asked,
"Do you feel that?" The earth shook.
They ran into some excited travelers, "Have you heard? Jesus is alive!"
Benjamin responded... "Christ the Lord!"
Forty days went by and while hundreds of people had seen the risen Christ,
Benjamin still had not. Testimonies were every-where; Benjamin could hardly
contain
his enthusiasm. He believed... ''Christ the Lord!"
Over a year later Benjamin met the Apostle Thomas. Benjamin told the story
of how he was tending sheep when the angel announced Jesus' birth and how he
had never been able to see him despite his efforts over 33 years. He said,
"But Thomas, I always believed that Jesus is ... "Christ the Lord!"
Thomas responded, "YOU are blessed!"
Then Jesus told [Thomas), "Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" John 20:29
Do you believe? You too are blessed! Because Jesus is...
"Christ the Lord!"
Have a Blessed Christmas.
Pastor Tom Drenth
Dean Masters, owner of the Masters List
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
If he is yours, join us on the Masters List
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