Today we come to the shepherds. Sheep and shepherds have a long and wonderful history throughout the Scriptures. From the beginning shepherds have played a major role in the history of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David were shepherds. The leaders of Israel were regarded as shepherds. YHWH said He was the shepherd of His people. Ezekiel prophesied that Messiah would be a shepherd, and Jesus declared, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. So it’s rather appropriate that shepherds play a central role in the birth of Jesus Christ.
The shepherds are found in Luke 2:8-20. Seems to me the best plan is to simply go through the passage.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
We have no idea how many shepherds were abiding in the field that night, nor any of their names. Isn't that amazing? Witnesses to one of the greatest events in the history of creation and we don't even know their names. God does.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
They’re just minding their business, doing their job, when an angel shows up!
sore afraid - I love the expressiveness of the KJV! The Greek word for sore is megas, which basically means “great.” But it is used is several ways, and here it refers to intensity, great fear, deeply felt fear; sore afraid expresses it so picturesquely.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy - the angel has great news, Christ the Lord has been born!
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! We would have arranged a press conference with media outlets all over the world, or gone straight to the political powers of the world, but God makes the official birth announcement to shepherds, in the middle of the night, while everyone important was asleep.
We don’t know anything about these guys, but the angel’s announcement indicates they were familiar with the hope of Israel, were well informed, and were probably waiting for Christ and the kingdom of God.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The shepherds not only got one angel, they got a multitude of the heavenly host! The birth of Jesus was a big event. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The coming of Christ brings peace and good will toward men. Hallelujah!
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
They believed the angel and understood the announcement to also be an invitation.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
came with haste – they didn’t waste time discussing it or analyzing it; they believed and went. This was not merely intellectual assent, no, they believed and acted on that belief.
found Mary – how did they find the holy family? We’re not told how, just that they did. They believed and God led them. God is good…All the time. When your heart is stirred to seek Jesus, you will find Him. Hallelujah! I said not, Seek ye me in vain for ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
they made known abroad - they had faith to testify. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:13 (quoting Psalm 116:10), We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. This testifying is not forced, we speak what we believe, even as the Lord Jesus said, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. My entire ministry was in churches that practiced “testifying.” I miss that. The shepherds believed the angel and went to see this child, and made known abroad what they had heard and seen.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
I find this very interesting. Here we have three reactions:
People wondered - this means there were folks who heard what the shepherds said, "Christ has been born! We've seen him!" Wondered means their reaction was, "We've heard strange things tonight. What do you think? Could this be the beginning of our deliverance?" and went back to bed. I would say wondered is not believing.
Mary pondered - As AT Robertson, an well-known Greek scholar said, Pondered is "an old Greek word. Placing together for comparison. Mary would go over each detail in the words of Gabriel and of the shepherds and compare the sayings with the facts so far developed and brood over it all with a mother's high hopes and joy." We know from chapter 1 that Mary believed Gabriel's announcement to her, and here she is pondering, "My son is Christ."
This was all so new, and strange, and yes, even exciting. Nothing like this had ever happened before. This newborn baby is the Messiah? The Savior? But he's so little. Here's where faith comes in, the angel had said clearly and forcefully, unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Faith says, This is the word of God; I believe the Lord. This baby is the Lord's Christ!"
the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God - You know they weren't quiet, reserved, and dignified - they were praising God; out loud; probably loudly; maybe even shouting!!
Does my faith in Christ move me like this? To act immediately upon what He says? to glorify and praise God out loud? to testify or share with people the things I have heard and seen and experienced of the wonderful grace of God?
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. (Psalm 51:15)
Clap your hands all ye people,
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph!
Clap your hands all ye people,
Shout unto God with a voice of praise!
Hosanna, hosanna,
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph!
Praise Him, praise Him.
Shout unto God with a voice of praise!
(Jimmy Owens / Carol Owens, 1972)
NEXT: Simeon
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