Tormented by Sin but Forgiven at Last
Award-winning novelist Heidi Chiavaroli brings Lent to vivid life with stories of those who encounter our savior in the pages of Scripture. Today, at the beginning of Lent, we put ourselves in the shoes of those among the very first to meet Jesus – the shepherds.
A Shepherd’s Story
The lamb squirms in his arms and he remembers the first time he’d helped birth a lamb. The first time he’d wrapped a precious, pure animal in swaddling cloths. That day, his eight-year-old brother, Benesh, had begged to join him. Although Rani had agreed, he resented Benesh’s company.
But all that was forgotten when the ewe had brought forth a spotless lamb.
Though Benesh despised being alone in the fields, Rani handed him his rod and staff, instructing his brother to stay with the sheep. He had not waited for Benesh’s agreement before rushing toward the city to find his father.
At the city gates, Rani heard Benesh calling after him. He silently cursed his brother for leaving the sheep. As always, though, his brother followed him. When Rani ducked around the chariot of the imperial family to escape Benesh, he had not expected his small brother to follow. To get caught beneath the heavy wheels.
He had not expected the sacrifice for his pride to be the death of his little brother.
Now, Rani swallows back emotion. He has offered many sacrifices the past six years for his sin, but the guilt remains.
Will he forever provide animal sacrifices for other people’s forgiveness, but never find forgiveness for himself?
Revealed in Humble Beginnings
A great flash lights the sky, and the newborn lamb, warm in his arms, quivers. The light brightens the blue-black heavens, blanketing the fields and the Migdal Eder in a light purer than the sun’s.
Rani’s limbs tremble. The ewes bleat and stomp their hooves.
Will all of Judah end in this moment?
And then there is the blast of a threefold trumpet, reminiscent of the Trisagion that sounds when a sacrifice is laid upon the altar. Heaven and earth meld into one, and a man in a robe whiter than that of a temple priest’s descends upon the fields.
The angel speaks.
“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..”
The Messiah? The Messiah born this night?
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
And then they are gone, nothing but their words lingering in the cool of the starry night air.
Peace to those on whom his favor rests.
That the angels would bring this message to a dreadful sinner like himself overwhelms him. He sinks to the ground, the lamb tucked beneath his arm.
“Cousin!” Abel runs toward him, waving his staff. “HaShem has blessed us. Let us go and see that which the angels spoke of.”
Another of his cousins hurries to them. “My helper will watch our flocks until we return from Bethlehem.”
The Ultimate Sacrifice
The moon rises higher as they make their way to the small city. Most of the homes are dark, but one shines with light, and they rush toward it. A woman with a bucket of water opens the door, stopping short at the sight of them.
Abel trips over his words about the angels, begs the woman to let them inside to worship the Messiah.
Rani falls to his knees, tears pricking his eyes at the sight of the perfect babe in such a humble state. The Messiah. A Savior for his people.
He looks down at the beautiful white lamb still snug in his arms.
All he knows is what the swaddling cloths represent. All he knows is the angel’s words.
I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
He bows low, the depth of his need causing a well of gratitude to burst within him.
HaShem has made a way not only for his people but, it seems, for Rani as well.
Reflection:
These Levitical shepherds likely knew their Old Testament well. They knew the Messiah would be born near their home, and yet when the angels found them, they were doing their ordinary work. How can you honor God through your ordinary work?
If you enjoyed this post, we recommend Draw Close to Jesus by Heidi Chiavaroli, a powerful Lenten devotional that brings Scripture to life through imaginative retellings of true biblical stories. Through 40 encounters with Jesus, this book invites weary hearts to experience repentance, redemption, and the deep rest found in drawing close to Him.
Author bio: Heidi Chiavaroli is a hope-inspired storyteller writing from the deep curiosity of her own heart. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, was a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist, a Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut. Her second Carol Award-winning novel, The Orchard House, is inspired by the lesser-known events in Louisa May Alcott’s life and led her to write The Orchard House Bed and Breakfast series. Connect with her online at HeidiChiavaroli.com.
