WHY ME?

 

I have yet to meet anyone who has not asked this question at some juncture in their life – those times when long-held plans are thwarted, when confusion on the path forward reigns, or when dreams dissipate as quickly as the morning dew on the grass in the full force of the sun. In 2020, “Why me?” has ramped up to new heights thanks to COVID-19. Hope is at an all-time premium in our world today.

Did Mary or Joseph have similar thoughts as they journeyed together? They had been betrothed, promised to each other, and were excited about a future together. Then their trip slowly unraveled as the previously straight path began twisting and turning around ominous bends in the road. 

“Highly favored? Me?” Mary thought, hearing the angel’s message tell of a child she would bear. How could her mind not race with at least a tinge of angst about the possible repercussions of an unwed pregnancy? “How can I tell Joseph so that he will believe me? What will my parents think? The neighbors? What will happen to me? Why me?” Yet, regardless of her inevitable questions, the faith she exhibited at the start of the trek sustained her: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

What about Joseph? Before they came together as husband and wife, he found out that Mary was pregnant. What else could he conclude? Mary, his fiancée, had clearly been unfaithful. Talk about a detour. “Why me?” Then an angel intervened and told him the truth regarding the conception of Mary’s child. Joseph’s faith led him to take pregnant Mary home to be his wife.

And yet the path to parenthood had further route changes. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.”[i]

Roman rule held a throat-wrenching grasp on the Jewish nation. Even though this was the period of the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome), it was not the ideal setting in which to birth a baby - at least not for parents who bowed to Yahweh, the One true God. For the Romans worshipped their emperors, and Caesar Augustus was no exception. He accepted the title of Pontifex Maximus, or Highest Priest, the head of all religious worship. He was hailed throughout the land as the ‘savior’ and ‘god.’ Even his birthday was considered the beginning of the good news throughout the world.

So everyone went to his own town to register. The imperial edict demanded that every male servant of the ‘savior’ be enrolled in a tax census. Whether or not they bowed their knee to the emperor didn’t matter. A head count was underway. The Roman IRS was on the move. And so were Joseph and Mary. “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”[ii]

In obedience, they went, Mary riding sidesaddle while Joseph walked, guiding the donkey. The ruts in the road were more than merely spiritual. Mary would physically feel every bump of the ninety-mile journey, thanks to Caesar’s decree. “Why me?” was likely evident in both of their countenances as they traveled. Yet they forged on, Mary rocking side-to-side, feeling the pockmarked landscape jolting her with each step of the animal, Joseph, brow furrowed like the landscape they traveled, stealing glances at Mary, awaiting the moment. The journey is slow. The tension is high.

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[i] Luke 2:1-3

[ii] Luke 2:4-5

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”[i]

This was not a Holiday ‘Inn.’ Those types of ‘hotels’ were only found on major Roman roads, and Bethlehem was not on such a route. “Crowded conditions force Joseph and Mary from normal lodging to a place reserved for animals. This could have been (1) a lower-level room or stall for animals attached to the living quarters of a private residence, (2) a cave used as a shelter for animals (as some ancient traditions have claimed), or even (3) a feeding place under the open sky, perhaps in the town square.”[ii]

At this juncture, the couple’s “Why me?” suddenly experienced a 180-degree turn as Mary cradled the baby in her arms and Joseph stood close by, enraptured by the sight of mother and child. The burden became a blessing. And these two were not the only ones to have their “Why me’s” turned upside down that night.

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[i] Luke 2:6-7

[ii] Arnold, Clinton E. (General Editor); Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary – Vol.1. Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan Publishing House, 1978, p. 341-342.

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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”[i]

Was life really that different in the first century that the shepherds believed such a song? “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men”? It wouldn’t seem so. If any person had a reason to ask, “Why me?” for their poor treatment by the general population, it would be a shepherd.

·  Shepherding life was often a lonely and physically demanding one – a 24/7 venture. Because their main tasks were providing water and grass for their flocks, they were often on the move, resulting in a constant life of transition from one temporary dwelling to another. 

·  The nature of their occupation often times made them unclean, hence unable to observe the Law’s requirements. Consequently, they couldn’t participate in worship at the temple.

·  Shepherds had no formal training in the study of the Law, so they were considered ignorant - there were no sheepskin diplomas hanging on their walls.

Three strikes: peasants, outcasts, ignorant. So why were these shepherds, daily enmeshed in a social milieu such as this, so willing to believe the angels’ anthem? Just like Mary and Joseph, a divine visit completely changed their “Why me?” Now they were wondering why they were so highly favored!

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them"

The angel appeared to these peasants, these ‘unclean’ shepherds – even though many other people would avoid mingling with them.

“...and the glory of the Lord shone around them”

400 years had passed since Israel had seen a recorded, visible sign of God’s presence among his people. Now these lowly shepherds witnessed the visible manifestation of God’s presence and glory. 

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[i] Luke 2:8-14

     “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

It is “for all the people.” The unclean shepherds, unable to participate in temple worship, are included in the biggest party to come. The great banquet hall in heaven has a place reserved for them.

What was the result of God’s visit to the shepherds?

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them… The shepherds returned, glorifying God and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.[i]

Is it possible for your “Why me?” to also to be turned on its head? Now I’m not telling you to look through rose-colored glasses in order to ‘turn your frown upside down’ and pretend that all is great. I’m merely suggesting that all of us can benefit from being on the lookout for the “Why me?” blessings rather than fixating on the “Why me?” setbacks. Keep tabs on the multitude of blessings showered upon you on any given day – such as good health, family and friends, tasty food, a magnificent sunset, the ability to see, hear, taste, and touch.

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[i] Luke 2:17-18, 20

Our family used a “Blessing Jar” when our daughters were growing up. It still sits on our table today. Every time we had something to be thankful for in life, we’d write it on a strip of paper and toss it in the jar. At different intervals throughout the year, we’d dump out the strips and read, remember, and thank God for the blessings that have flowed upon our home. We’d also seek to pass the blessings on by taking time to pray for those who blessed us – and then drop them a note, an e-mail, call, or tell them in person how they had blessed us through their lives. Help change a “Why me?” today!

Music: Where is the Love?