The Rest of the Story

Introduction to “The Rest of the Story” by Paul Harvey

For over three decades, Paul Harvey captivated radio audiences with his unique storytelling style on his show The Rest of the Story. The program aired from 1976 to 2009 and became a staple of American broadcasting. Harvey’s distinctive voice and delivery drew listeners in as he told stories about well-known events, people, and historical figures—but with a twist. He would often begin by describing a familiar scenario or individual and then lead the audience to believe they knew the whole story. However, as the show unfolded, Harvey would reveal an unexpected turn of events, offering a deeper understanding or hidden detail that changed the way listeners viewed the subject.

What made The Rest of the Story so compelling was Harvey’s ability to dig beneath the surface and uncover the untold aspects of a story. He took historical events, famous personalities, and everyday situations and provided insight into their broader context, highlighting overlooked or forgotten details. Harvey’s storytelling skillfully demonstrated that there was always more to a story than met the eye. His program not only entertained but also informed, giving listeners a new perspective on the subjects he discussed.

Through his use of historical research, human interest, and sometimes surprising facts, Paul Harvey encouraged his audience to consider that, just like with the stories he told, there’s often more to the world around us than we might first realize. He had a knack for helping people see the “rest of the story”—the hidden context or the parts that were often overlooked, enriching the way we understood both the past and the present.

Last week, we discussed how Jesus is the King of kings and asked, “Who sits on the throne of your life?” This week, in Luke 2:8-20, we encounter the familiar story of the shepherds watching over their flocks on the night of Jesus’ birth. Whether through children’s nativity plays or drive-through displays, we’ve all seen the scene play out. Shepherds in fields, keeping watch by night, guarding their sheep from predators.

Like we discussed last week, there’s often more to a story than meets the eye. Last week, we talked about the “rest of the story” concerning the kings, and this week, there’s another layer to the story of these shepherds. They weren’t just any shepherds; they were likely Levitical shepherds, and the sheep they cared for were not just ordinary sheep. They were sacrificial lambs, specially raised for the worship practices in the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Historical Context of Shepherds Near Bethlehem:

Bethlehem, just six miles south of Jerusalem, was home to flocks of sheep raised specifically for Temple sacrifices. The Mishnah, an ancient Jewish text, is a vital source for understanding the world in which Jesus lived, and it reveals that sheep near Jerusalem, especially in the Bethlehem region, were designated for Temple sacrifices.

Migdal Eder - “The Tower of the Flock”:

Micah 4:8 references Migdal Eder, which means “Tower of the Flock,” a location traditionally associated with the care and raising of sheep for Temple offerings. This site near Bethlehem was where the sacrificial lambs were raised and cared for. The importance of this is profound, as Migdal Eder was likely where the unblemished lambs, required by the Law of Moses, were born and raised.

The Role of Shepherds:

Often, shepherds are depicted as outcasts, considered socially unclean or dishonest according to Jewish law. This view is rooted in rabbinic traditions such as Sanhedrin 25b. However, the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 may not have fit this stereotype. They were likely working under the direct supervision of the priests, ensuring that the lambs they were guarding were perfect, without any blemishes, for the sacrifice.

These shepherds, though not priests themselves, had a critical role in safeguarding the unblemished lambs that would later be sacrificed at the Temple. Some of them might even have been Levites, lower-ranking members of the priestly tribe, who were specifically tasked with caring for these lambs. The task was not just to watch over the sheep; it was to ensure that the lambs would meet the strict criteria for sacrifice as outlined in the Law of Moses.

The Number of Lambs Required for Temple Sacrifices:

To understand the significance of the shepherds’ work, it’s helpful to grasp the vast number of lambs required for Temple sacrifices throughout the year. The Jewish sacrificial system was massive, with lambs being offered daily, weekly, monthly, and during major festivals. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:

Daily Sacrifices: 730 lambs were required each year for the daily morning and evening sacrifices (2 per day).

Sabbath Offerings: 104 lambs were required each year for the Sabbath offerings (one lamb for each Sabbath).

Monthly Offerings: 84 lambs were required each year for the monthly new moon offerings.

Annual Festivals: Approximately 126 lambs were needed for various annual feasts, excluding the special Passover sacrifice.

This brings the total to 1,044 lambs annually for regular Temple offerings.

The Passover Lambs:

The Passover was an especially significant time for sacrificial lambs. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, during Passover, over 250,000 lambs were slaughtered in a single day for the festival. These lambs were slaughtered by Jewish families throughout Jerusalem, but many of the lambs used for the Passover were raised specifically for this purpose in the fields surrounding Bethlehem.

Estimated Grand Total for Lamb Sacrifices:

When you combine the regular Temple sacrifices and the Passover lambs, the numbers are staggering:

Temple Sacrifices: 1,044 lambs annually (for daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices).

Passover Sacrifices: 200,000 to 250,000 lambs each year.

Other Individual Sacrifices: Adding in other individual sacrifices throughout the year, it’s estimated that another 10,000 to 20,000 lambs were offered.

In total, the estimated number of lambs sacrificed annually in the Temple, including all regular offerings and Passover sacrifices, would range from 210,000 to 270,000 lambs per year.

The Shepherds’ Sacred Duty:

These shepherds were entrusted with a sacred responsibility. They were tasked with overseeing these special lambs, the ones that would be offered as sacrifices in the Temple. The job was demanding and important, and it’s likely that these shepherds were familiar with the strict requirements of the sacrificial system.

Though often considered outcasts by society, these shepherds were among the first to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth. They were given the honor of witnessing the birth of the Lamb of God, who would ultimately take away the sins of the world. The very lambs they tended, cared for, and protected were symbolic of the sacrifice that Jesus would make.

Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world, and these simple shepherds were among the first who would follow Him.

Like the shepherds, we must decide if we’re going to tend the sheep in our lives in our own power, or if we’re going to follow the Good Shepherd. If we are going to follow him, to be his disciples then we need to follow the example of these men:

They Heard the Message: Transformed by Christ

The First to Hear the Good News

The shepherds were the first to receive the angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth, marking a shift in God’s redemptive plan.

“This isn’t just about a newborn baby; it’s the fulfillment of prophecy and the beginning of God’s new era.”

The Inclusive Nature of God’s Kingdom

Shepherds, lowly and marginalized, were the first invited into God’s story of salvation.

“The Messiah wasn’t born in a palace, but among ordinary men in a humble manger.”

The Ultimate Lamb

The shepherds, who cared for sacrificial lambs, now heard about the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world.

“Jesus wasn’t just any lamb; He was the ultimate sacrifice for sin.”

A Life-Changing Message

By hearing this message, the shepherds were invited to join God’s redemptive work and live on mission.

“This was the turning point of history, and their response would shape their lives forever.”

The Call to Transformation

The Lamb of God came to not only save but transform.

“Just as He transformed the shepherds, He offers us new life and a new mission.”

2. They Came to the Savior: Disciples of Christ

Immediate Action in Response to the Announcement

The shepherds acted without hesitation, going to Bethlehem to find the child.

“They didn’t question; they acted with faith and urgency. This was their first step as disciples—responding to the call to come and see.”

A Spiritual Journey, Not Just a Physical One

Their journey to the manger was symbolic of leaving behind their everyday lives to seek the Savior.

“They were willing to leave their duties behind to find the One who would meet humanity’s deepest needs.”

Discipleship in Action

As the first visitors to the newborn King, they modeled true discipleship: a humble, obedient response to Christ’s call.

“True discipleship begins with a willingness to seek Jesus and follow Him.”

Recognizing Jesus as the Promised Messiah

Their coming to Jesus showed they understood the significance of the moment.

“By coming to Him, they acknowledged He was no ordinary child, but the promised Messiah.”

A Model for True Discipleship

The shepherds demonstrated that discipleship starts with seeking Jesus, leaving old ways, and following Him.

“Their action was more than a visit; it was a commitment to follow the Savior.”

3. They Proclaimed the Gospel: On Mission with Christ

The Shepherds’ Immediate Response: Sharing the Good News

After encountering Jesus, the shepherds couldn’t keep the news to themselves. They “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:17).

“Their role shifted from mere recipients of the message to proclaimers of it.”

Proclamation as a Natural Overflow of Encounter

The shepherds’ proclamation wasn’t a formal sermon—it was the natural result of their life-changing encounter with Christ.

“Their lives had been radically changed, and they couldn’t help but share the good news.”

The Shepherds: First Evangelists of the Lamb of God

They became the first to bear witness to the birth of the Lamb of God, the One who would take away the sins of the world.

“The shepherds were ordinary men with no formal education, yet they were the first evangelists of the gospel.”

A Call to Every Disciple: Share the Gospel

Their actions highlight the mission of every disciple: to share the gospel with those around us.

“Just as the shepherds proclaimed the good news, we are called to share the message of Christ with others.”

The Shepherds as Models for Us Today

The shepherds exemplify true discipleship: hearing the message, coming to Christ, and proclaiming His good news.

“We are called to be transformed by the gospel, follow Jesus, and share the good news.”

The Shepherds and the Lamb of God

The shepherds, who cared for the sacrificial lambs, were the first to witness the birth of the Lamb who would take away the sin of the world.

“It’s no accident that these men, guardians of sacrificial lambs, were the first to see the Lamb of God.”

Their lives were transformed profoundly at the manger: these men were transformed by Christ, who became disciples of Christ, and proclaimed the good news of Christ.

Response 1: A Call to Proclaim the Gospel Boldly

The shepherds’ response to the birth of Jesus challenges us to boldly share the gospel with those around us. Just like the shepherds, who could not keep the life-changing news of Jesus to themselves, we too are called to be witnesses of Christ’s transformative power. The shepherds didn’t wait for the perfect time or a platform—they simply shared what they had seen and heard. In the same way, we must seize every opportunity to proclaim the good news of Jesus, knowing that our encounter with Him should naturally overflow in our words and actions. The shepherds remind us that anyone—no matter their background or status—can be used by God to share His message. Are we willing to step out in faith, just as they did, and tell others about the Savior we’ve found?

Response 2: A Challenge to Follow Jesus Wholeheartedly

The shepherds’ journey to see Jesus represents the heart of discipleship: a willingness to leave behind our comfort zones, our routines, and our past ways of life to follow the Savior. When they heard the angel’s message, they acted immediately and traveled to Bethlehem without hesitation. This urgent response models the kind of commitment Jesus calls us to. Discipleship is not passive; it requires action. The shepherds’ willingness to seek Jesus and then share what they had experienced speaks to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. For us, this is a challenge to examine how we are responding to Jesus’ call today. Are we seeking Him with the same urgency and commitment, and are we willing to leave behind everything else to follow Him fully?