Some time ago, I read a book by Don and Carol Richardson who were two missionaries in 1962 that went to the Netherlands in New Guinea to work and witness to a cannibal tribe known as the Sawi.
Don and Carol spent many months trying to share about God's love to the people but to no avail. Once Don had just finished sharing the story about Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of Jesus and the whole community that were present began to cheer aloud and treated Judas as the hero within the story.
What Don had not realised is that for the Sawi people; treachery is the highest form of morality. A person within the tribe would deliberately befriend another person who belongs to another tribe and fatten him or her up with friendship; in order to gain their trust. After a while this would give the tribal person the right to sacrifice his friend for a feast.
Don and Carol struggled to make any connection with the tribe until one day.
A fight broke out between the Sawi and another neighbouring tribe. As they were preparing to do battle the leader of the Sawi tribe took a small baby from the arms of its mother and walked over to the leader of the opposite tribe. Don and Carol were terrified to see what was happening.
The neighbouring tribe leader gave the child to another woman and then PEACE was declared!
Don and Carol were angry and the enquired to one of the Sawi tribesmen why this has to happen. The tribe explained to Don and Carol that the child is a peace offering and that for as long as the child lives there will be peace between both tribes.
Later that night as Don reflected upon the events that took place earlier that day. It began to make sense to him!
Just like there is animosity between God and human kind because of sin; God himself gave his only begotten son to humanity as a peace offering!
Jesus!
At once Don and Carol began to explain the birth story of Jesus to the tribes, comparing and explaining the similarities to the people.
Unlike the poor child that was forcibly taken from his mothers arms; Jesus willingly obeyed God's command and became a peace offering to humanity.
Don drew comparisons and stated that tribes peace is only temporary for as long as the child lives, peace lives but after the child dies so does peace and then another offering needs to be made. But with Jesus he is entered and shall never die and therefore peace between God and humanity is entered through Jesus.
Because of this revelation the tribes people were able to relate to God's peace child. Many weeks after this Don and Carol were asked questions about Jesus.
In Luke 2:7-11 we read '7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”
The shepherds who at the time of Jesus' birth were living in the fields; they were deprived of the love of other people; they were considered untrustworthy; they were never invited to parties. Because of the nature of their work; their job was so demanding that they were unable to participate in many of the ceremonially practices that a Jew is required to do.
Do you feel rejected by society?
Today, many people are rejected because of many different reasons. The values and choices that we make within our lives, where we work or who we choose to love and even the way we look may cause us to be victims of rejection.
I remember my very first day at school; I was bullied and laughed at all because i looked and sounded differently to other people. My whole childhood I would be hiding or running away from children.
The wonderful story of this passage is that where men and women of great authority rejects people like you and me; Christ rejects NO one; for he came for the social outcasts; he came for you and me so that we may know of His favour and His peace.
So for this Christmas what gift will you receive?
Secondly, what gift will you give to those around you who have no hope, no love and no peace in 2018!
God Bless you this Christmas
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