Why The Shepherds?

Message

Turn to Luke 2:8-20.

This evening, you have witnessed a presentation of the first Christmas. Of the characters involved in the play, you were first introduced to a young Joseph and Mary, those new parents that beamed with joy at their firstborn child. You also met an angel that came winging down with a message from on High. And then, there were those two shepherds and their fluffy little sheep.

Perhaps you have heard the Christmas story many times and perhaps you are well acquainted with all of those characters.

Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus? Of course they should be part of the story. After all, Jesus IS the story. An angel from God, and then a whole host of angels? Well, they fit into the story too. It makes sense that God might send His messengers to earth to proclaim the good news. But that leaves us with one other group. It leaves us with those shepherds and their fluffy little sheep.

We know that the shepherds are a part of the Christmas story - it’s not complete without them, but have you ever wondered why? Why the shepherds?

Why did God give this message to the shepherds? What part did they play? This group of peasants were in the fields outside Bethlehem in the middle of the night watching a flock of fluffy little sheep chew their cud. Why were they chosen to hear this message about the birth of their Messiah?

Why not Herod the Great, the king over Judea?

Why not the high priests in Jerusalem?

Why not the scribes and the pharisees - the experts in the Old Testament prophecies?

Why not send the angels to downtown Jerusalem, where more people would hear the good news?

Why these shepherds?

The Bible doesn’t say why, but the Bible does reveal some things about them that are possible indicators.

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The shepherds’ readiness - Luke 2:8-14.

In a moment, we’ll consider some ways that these shepherds may have been more ready than others, but first I want to make something very clear: it was of God’s grace that they were chosen to hear this message. This revelation was brought to them not so much because they deserved it but because God was good and showed His favor towards them. That is true anytime God has revealed Himself to mankind - whether to lowly shepherds or to anybody else. It is an evidence of God’s grace.

Application: So here you are this evening at Cornerstone Independent Baptist Church. The Bible, God’s Word, has been opened. It is the written revelation of God to man. The fact that you are here is an evidence of God’s favor towards you. God’s not done with you yet. He hasn’t given up on you either. He desires to take His Word and plant it so deep in your soul that you can’t run away from it. He wants to transform your life by giving you the gift of eternal life. But, you have to be ready, like the shepherds.

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They were in a quiet place

Read Luke 2:8.

Perhaps one reason why God sent this message to the shepherds and not to the scribes and pharisees was simply because the shepherds were in a quiet place. They weren’t at the busy hub of the Temple. They weren’t distracted by all the religious noise that man makes as he tries to earn his way to God! They were just in a quiet place, undisturbed by the sights and by the sounds of the big city just a few miles away. There among the Bethlehem hills, they were a ready audience for the messengers of the Lord.

Application: My friend, don’t run from the quiet place. Be careful about so filling your life with noise that you miss the message that God wants to give you in His Word! We Americans are guilty of this.

In the car, we have the radio on or we’re busy talking on the phone.

In the house, the TV runs constantly, whether anybody watches it or not.

In life, we’re so busy communicating with each other that we never take the time to talk with God or to read His Word.

Our lives are less fulfilled because of it. If you want to be ready like the shepherds were, then you must prioritize the quiet place. Come to church where the Bible is preached and taught! Read the Scriptures! Get alone with God in the quiet place.

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They were in a quiet time

Verse eight says that the shepherds were watching their sheep and it was nighttime. Being night, it was a quiet time. Probably wasn’t much to do except stare into the fire, sing, tell stories, and keep an eye on the flock. They certainly didn’t have all of the glamorous things to do that nearby Jerusalem and Bethlehem might have offered.

As shepherds, they were more ready to hear the good tidings because they lived slower lives.

Application: How busy are you compared to these shepherds? Are you so busy that you don’t have time for God? Even as a pastor, I can be so busy about good things that I miss what God is trying to teach me in life. We are often so busy that we’re not ready to hear His voice and listen until we are shaken by a big problem and then we need God again! Don’t wait for that moment. Be ready to hear God now.

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The shepherds’ response - Luke 2:15.

In verses 10-14, the angels bring good news! The Savior of the world has been born! This Savior would be the one who would die on the cross for our sins. This was good news, but notice the shepherds’ response.

Read Luke 2:15.

What was their response? They believed! They heard the angel’s message and they believed it! We know they believed because they acted on it. They went to Bethlehem to see the newborn baby for themselves.

Application: What is your response to God’s message about the Savior? Have you believed in Him, or are you planning to earn your way to Heaven?

I can tell you, it won’t work. None of us can do it because none of us can compare to the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He died as a sinless sacrifice to pay for our sins. He did all of the work to appease God’s wrath against sin. But you must realize that you are a sinner and trust in Him alone to save your soul. You could make that choice right now or you could talk to someone during our invitation who could help answer your questions. Either way, make sure that your response tonight is that you have believed in Christ alone to save your soul.

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The shepherds’ return - Luke 2:16-20.

The shepherds went to Bethlehem and verified that what they heard was true. They found the Savior and they were so excited! They told so many people about what they had seen and heard. But then in verse 20, as they returned to their flocks, notice the difference in them. They were glorifying and praising God! Sounds like they had found real joy, doesn’t it? Why? Because they had believed the message of the angels.

Application: Real joy, real satisfaction comes when you trust in Jesus as your Savior from sin. God gives peace when you know that the burden of sin is lifted off of your shoulders. You’ll still go through hard times. You’ll still face challenges in life, but it will be different because by faith God will go through those challenges with you, if you’ll let Him.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus Christ to save your soul, I invite you to make that choice tonight so that you too can praise God like the shepherds did.

Conclusion

Why the Shepherds? Well, the Bible doesn’t give the exact reason, but one point is clear: the shepherds teach us about the crossroads of God’s grace and our responsibility. God was gracious to bring the message to them. They were ready, they responded, and they returned praising God. Likewise, God has been gracious in bringing His Word to you tonight also. The question is, are you ready? Will you respond? Will you return praising God?