Shepherds

Luke 2:8–14 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Who were the shepherds?

They were considered unclean.

They will not to participate in the Holy feast

They were looked at suspiciously

Because shepherds were one of the lowest paying jobs they were usually poor, and the higher classes often accused them of being thieves. If something went missing – its loss was usually attributed to the shepherds.

They were often migratory and did not stay in a place long.

They were not allowed to speak in courts

Shepherds weren’t allowed to act as witnesses in a Court of Law because their word was not considered trustworthy

The Talmud stated, "No help should be given to heathen and shepherds."

They were uneducated men

They had a hard life

They had a hard life. They were "lived out in the fields" with the sheep, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When Joseph wanted to keep his family separated from the Egyptians, all he had to do was say they were shepherds, “for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians” Gen. 46:3 “you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.””

Why Shepherds?

God has always used shepherds

David was a shepherd

Abraham and Moses were shepherds

God usually does the unexpected

He used a teenager to slay a giant

He used murder to lead his people out

He used a baby to bring the savior to the world

The Lamb of God had been born

This group we will briefly look at this morning were “professional” shepherds ... Many suggest they were tending sheep for sacrifice in the Temple. Quite possibly true. Historical documents (Mishna/Talmud) tell us that the sheep for sacrifice were tended in the fields of Bethlehem.

He even identifies Himself as the “Good Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20 “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,”

Luke 2:15–20 NIV

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

A Lesson from the shepherds

God accepts all despite the worlds opinions

They were awake

They went on a search for Jesus

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

d. They had a personal encounter with Jesus

The New International Version Chapter 2

Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

e. They spread the news about Jesus

They were amazed. As Christians we need the awe of God in our lives. We need to think about the miracle of his birth , the miracle of his death and resurrection. The amazement that you we found and he did something radical in your life.

Conclusion

“Never again are we to look at the stars, as we did when we were children, and wonder how far it is to God.” Because of Christmas, God is no longer a spectator, looking on, but taking no part in our lives. God has moved into our neighborhood and became one of us, to die on Calvary’s Cross so we can be saved! God is no longer just in heaven, but He’s “God with us,” Immanuel. [Paraphrased from Joseph McCabe]