The Shepherds

Intro

When I was a kid we went on a family vacation. well that is not a big deal you might think, but for our family it was. We never really traveled anywhere so this was a big deal for us. We went down to the black hills of South Dakota and went to a few stops along the way. I remember going to see mt Rushmore, but we never went in because it was to foggy. We went the next day and the line up to get in was quite long, or so it seemed like it to my young mind. We drove into the parking lot after sitting in a long line up and you could see the faces on the Mountain clearly from the vehicle. My dad, hating crowds decided that we saw the mountain clearly enough and we turned around and drove out.

On this trip we also went to see a cave, though I can not remember where it was. They took us down into the cave, and it was a beautiful site to see. They had lights strung out throughout where the took the tourists and told us to stand still, do not move they said. They turned the lights off and the darkness was intense. No light at all came to where we were. I couldn't tell if my eyes where open or closed it was so dark. Then they turned the lights back on and they almost seemed blinding.

I couldn't think of a better metaphor for this sermon today then that light in the blackness. We learn With the birth of the messiah we anticipate the coming of light in the darkness. This message requires a response from us of complete dedication to the Lord. A light in the darkness meant for all people. for the announcment of the coming messiah was for all people as seen in the announcement first coming to lowly shepherds. Why not great kings, people of power? no the announcmenet came to the lowly and there response was one of worship. The light came to the darkness and the people involved dropped everything and worshipped the messiah.

Let us look into this message this morning

Context

We start out with a bit of context.

Luke 2:8 CSB

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.

Christmas time is filled with tradition. One tradition that some families have is to read the Christmas story on Christmas morning before gifts are open. Chances are good the story you chose to read from the Bible is Luke 2:1-20. In these verses God teaches us that a census has been ordered in the land. Residents are to return to the city of their lineage. This brings Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, because they are in the line of David. While they are there, the Son of God is born, just as prophesied in Scripture. Out in the field’s shepherds are watching their flocks. The shepherds, these characters of Christmas, provide a different perspective on the Christmas story, reminding us that the light in the darkness that is the gospel reaches all people.

Where they social outcasts?

Many scholars have taught that shepherds were societal outcasts in first-century Israel. Their sources are generally many years after the New Testament time period, plus Aristotle who was from a different culture and 300 years before Jesus. Later Rabbinic writings portray shepherds as dishonest and untrustworthy yet The biblical portrayal of a shepherd is extremely positive in the Old and New Testaments

Earlier commentators drew attention to the shepherds as members of a despised trade, ritually unclean, but this is doubtful. The positive image (both literal and metaphorical) of sheep and shepherd in Israel’s Scriptures as well as Philo’s affirming mention of the Jewish people as graziers, stock-breeders, and shepherds imperil any negative evaluation of shepherds as a group on purity grounds during the era in question. Moreover, it is hard to imagine that a vocation on which the Jewish cult and Jerusalem temple were so heavily dependent—requiring, e.g., some 30,000 lambs for Passover would be labeled unclean by those very institutions.

The evidence doesn't seem to say that they where social outcasts

What Where they then?

The shepherds, from my research, where an Agrarian society. They may have had small landholdings. Between their families to support, the animals to care for, the land, taxation they probably didn't have much.

Now we read cases where this was not the case, Abraham seemed to have a lot, but that was different. Historians seemed to think most shepherds may have had to find other ways to find income as well to make ends meet.

Though not unclean, shepherds at this time where of the low caste in society. If a king was going to come, the announcement would not come to shepherds, mere peasants. They where at the bottom scale of power and privileged.

The Setting

So let me set the stage for you.

Luke 2:8–9 CSB

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

It was dark outside, the group of shepherds would have taken turns keeping watch through the night while the others slept. It was common for shepherds to live outside during the warmer months, but there is evidence for year round grazing in Rabbinic writings as well.

Its dark, it is your turn to stand guard around the sheep while the rest of the guys are asleep. Maybe you are half asleep as well, after all it is not easy to work nights. The suddenly there was a bright light and a heavenly being stood before you surrounding you with the light of the glory of God. I am sure I would have screamed a little bit, maybe have to change my robe after as well.

This idea of darkness to light is language we commonly see with the messiah, when talking about God and His relationship to man.

The appearance of the glory of God through his messengers brings a common theme. Fear - where are unworthy of the glory of the Lord and we cower in fear. We know we are not worthy. But God tells us not to fear, for the message He is bringing is one of great hope.

Luke 2:10–11 CSB

10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:12 CSB

12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

The light in the darkness

Think of this for a second. Think of the greatness of the announcement of the newborn king. A host of angels bringing the light of the glory of God in the darkness. Compared to the poverty of the sign and the people it was brought to.

The humble origins of the king of kings. God had to come in the flesh, to be man, to die for sin, so we could have a relationship with Him and glorify Him. A king came not in purple robes in a palace but came to a poor family, wrapped in plain cloth lying in the most comfortable thing the parents had around them.

This helps develop[ the royal identity of our savior. Yes as the king of kings, but of lowly origins, announced first to the lowly, the poor, the meek.

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, as a light in the darkness. His birth was an oxymoron, a King wrapped in rags announced first to shepherds.

Darkness came to light - sorrow/fear turned to joy

This is the message of the messiah, this is the message of great joy that we have. The message that was brought to the shepherds is the same message that is brought to us. A message of good news of great joy.

The response

What happened next I would loved to have seen. I love choirs. Yes I love Christian metal music, but I have been singing in choirs since I was a kid. There is just something about a group of people singing in 4 part harmony. That is what the shepherds got to witness next, a host of angels, an angel choir praising God.

Luke 2:13–14 CSB

13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

Luke 2:15 CSB

15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Then the angels left, and it was dark. The response of people to the angelic messengers is neat to see.

Zechariah expressed unbelief, Mary embraces the plan of God as the servant of God.

They where told, they responded, How will we respond.

Luke 2:16–17 CSB

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child,

Luke 2:20 CSB

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.

I wonder if they left anyone to watch the sheep, or they all ran off to see the baby Jesus. It is inconsequential really, but since they came back to report the message they must have left people back on watch. Also who where the poor suckers then that had to stay back and watch the sheep.

They where told, they responded, How will we respond

In this season of anticipation we look to the message that was given to the shepherds and the context that comes with it. The message that they where told we need to be reminded of first.

Darkness to light

The message they where told was one of fear to joy, Darkness to light. You see like the shepherds sitting watching their flocks at night, being interrupted by the light of the glory of Gd. So our lives can be interrupted, in a good way, with the good news of the gospel of Jesus the good news.

That is what we anticipate during the Christmas season. Before we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Like the shepherds we are sitting in darkness, but we are lost in sin, unable to find our way out on our own. The light is there. The light of Jesus in the darkness of our lost state. But we refuse to turn and look for the light, we like the darkness to much. It hides our sin to easily. The light of the gospel of Jesus exposes us for what we really are.

Will you trade your great fear, your darkness for Great Joy like the shepherds where told to do? Great joy is available because of the good news of the birth of the messiah. It is good news

How will we respond

They responded to the gospel of Jesus. When the angels where done they went straight away to see who this messiah was. When they saw Him they became some of the first missionaries going and telling people what they had seen.

Ordinary people. lowly people, among the lowest caste in society. Who would even believe them? Why would Jesus first not be broadcast to the rich? be born in a mansion or a palace? Revealed not to shepherds but kings and princes.

The gospel is for all people. The good news is for all. Jesus was born with the cattle in someones house, He was laid not in a ornate bed but in a manger. No matter what you have done, no matter who you are, you can be forgiven, the gospel is for you as well.

“I never thought this could happen in my town,” said the residents of this tiny southern town when they learned the news of the horrific crime. a man had walked into the local mall and fatally wounded many of the townspeople. He was soon captured and taken into custody. When arrested, the man confessed to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole. The town was ecstatic when they heard of Paul’s life sentence. They hated this man. ten years had passed, and he was a new person, inside and out. sat in his cell and spent most of his waking hours reading the Scriptures and growing in Christ. A major news network decided to revisit the tragedy and run a special on TV. They wanted to interview him and learn more about that dreadful day. He spent the hour-long interview answering questions. As the interview came to an end, he shared with the viewing audience how the Lord saved him and changed his life. He explained that he was a new person because of the gospel, and he called on others to believe. Many people did not buy what he was saying, even some in the Christian community did not believe him.

Remember the message that we bring this Christmas season, good news of Great joy. There is a light, there is hope in the darkness Now what will you do with this message?