The truth that God loves to reveal himself to the lowly, work through the lowly, and honor the lowly continues to impact me. It wonderfully surprises me every time I come across it in Scripture. I would have expected this reality to feel less stunning over time, as I became accustomed to this way of God. Yet here I am, astounded again, and motivated to be more like God in this way.
God loves the lowly. This dynamic is seen in the Christmas story with how Jesus starts out his time on earth. Jesus does not come as a fully developed man, he is a baby—the most lowly, vulnerable, and dependent anyone can be. You see, God does not shy away from lowliness. Instead, he honors Jesus while he is in that humble state through the magi’s visit.
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)
Again God honors the lowly by sharing the best news in history up to that point with shepherds—one of the most lowly professions one could have. It is to them that God sends his angels to proclaim the Messiah has been born! What joyous news—the long awaited redeemer has arrived.
“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 people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:8-11)
This pattern with God continues with Jesus’ first recorded miracle. It was the servants at the wedding in Cana who first learned that Jesus had changed the contents of their jars from water to wine.
“And the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.” (John 2:9)
As they served this miracle wine to the wedding guests, what must they have been feeling? I'm sure awe and honor were among their emotions. Let’s allow wonder for God’s countercultural way of doing things to change us. Try telling your good news to the lowliest person you know. Share a miracle that God did in your life with someone whose age, profession, or economic status is less desirable by the world’s standard. Together we can be impacted by, and in turn impact, the world around us with the truth that God loves the lowly.