What Do WE See?

From Damascus Road

As they peered with searching eyes into the manger, what did the shepherds see? I mean, what did they really see? As they looked into the crude manger, did they see in the Christ child’s intent gaze, the love and compassion that must surely have been there? Did they see the calloused feet that would walk the dusty roads of Galilee? Did they notice the strong hands that, as a carpenter, would ever so lovingly work with the wood in Joseph’s shop and that would eventually, with tender loving care, heal the sick and bring sight to the blind? Could they discern that searching, compelling look, that seeks out the hearts of all men? Were they privy to the look of pain and agony that He would one day have as He was beaten, spat upon, scorned, and then crucified? Could they detect the confident look that foretold His resurrection and eventual return to a fallen world.

From the perspective of two thousand years, we gaze into that same manger. What do we see? What do we really see? Do we see just the son of a humble carpenter? Do we, with a self-righteous cluck of our tongues, say, “ Surely, because of His lowly estate, He will live in squalor and poverty all His life and amount to nothing?” Do we see a rebel and rabble rouser destined for nothing but a horrible death? Do we see just a self-proclaimed king? Do we intone, “He must be destined for naught. Do we ask, just like His disciple Nathanael , “ What good can come out of Nazareth?” Do we say , as His detractors did, “Surely a troublemaker such as this will come to no account.” Are we perhaps a bit more optimistic and see a respected prophet? Do we intone with a condescending smirk, “Hmmm… maybe he’ll amount to something after all?” Or do we, as He intended, see the nail-scarred hands, that down thru the centuries, have reached out to a fallen world? More importantly, are we willing to grasp those hands and to take up His cross and follow Him? Do we see the love in His eyes? A love, that was so great that He willingly allowed himself to be nailed to a Roman cross and pay the price that we, so justly, deserved to pay. And finally, do we see the Creator of the universe, a risen Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and soon coming King?