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 the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12
In the bustling noise of our modern lives, finding solace and a connection with Jesus can sometimes seem elusive. However, a closer look at Luke chapter two, verse nine, reveals a profound truth: Our relationship with Jesus is not confined to the sacred spaces of temples or specific geographical locations. The arrival of Jesus, marked by the glory of the Lord shining around shepherds in a humble barnyard, signifies a shift in the paradigm of worship.
Beyond Temple Walls
Traditionally, the glory of the Lord was a rare occurrence outside the sacred confines of the temple in Jerusalem. However, the narrative of Jesus’s birth challenges the notion that God’s presence is limited to a specific place. The glory of the Lord illuminating the sheep barnyard emphasizes that Jesus brings God’s presence to unexpected and everyday locations.
The Omnipresence of God
God’s omnipresence is a comforting truth that transcends physical boundaries. There is nowhere we can go to escape His knowledge and love. Whether on the highest mountain or in the deepest depths, God knows us intimately. He knows our thoughts before we think them and our words before we speak them. This omnipresence is a testament to the accessibility of our relationship with Jesus—He is with us wherever we are.
Changing the Place of Worship
The significance of Jesus’s arrival extends beyond His birth in a manger. It challenges the established norms of worship, particularly the notion that the holy place is confined to a specific temple or mountain. Jesus, in His encounter with the woman at the well in Samaria, foreshadows a new era of worship. He declares that true worship is not limited to a physical location but is rooted in a spiritual connection with God.
The Indwelling Presence
Jesus’s teachings emphasize a profound shift in the understanding of holiness. The holiest place on earth is no longer confined to a temple in Jerusalem, destroyed since 70 AD. Instead, Jesus reveals that, through faith and baptism, God makes His home within believers. The Holy Spirit indwells in those who put their trust in Jesus, making every place where Christ followers do the will of God a holy place.
A Spiritual Rebirth
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8
The encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus further illuminates this transformative truth. Being born again, not just physically but also spiritually, signifies a rebirth that occurs when one puts faith in Jesus. This rebirth leads to God the Father and Jesus making their dwelling within believers through the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The narrative in Luke chapter two challenges our preconceived notions about where we can access Jesus. It breaks down the barriers of traditional places of worship and reveals that God’s glory can manifest in the most unexpected and ordinary of places. Our relationship with Jesus is not limited by physical boundaries or architectural structures. Instead, it is a personal, intimate connection that is accessible anywhere and everywhere. As we embrace the transformative truth of Jesus’s arrival, may we recognize that the holiest place on earth is within the hearts of those who follow Him, where God’s presence dwells through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The content of this article is drawn from a segment of the sermon titled “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” delivered by Dale McCamish on December 10, 2023, at the Wilmington Church of Christ.
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