The Church Needs more Third-Class Citizens like Jesus

Welcome to the final week of our Christmas series, “Two Miraculous Births.” Over the past few weeks, we’ve been walking through the opening two chapters of Luke’s Gospel. And as we’ve seen, Luke doesn’t begin his account with the birth of Christ. Instead, he opens with the birth of John the Baptist, and then He moves to the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’m not going to review everything we’ve covered, but I do want you to remember this: both births were miracles. The birth of John the Baptist was miraculous. The birth of Jesus Christ was miraculous. And together, these two births set the stage for the greatest story ever told.

And so the past Wednesday on Christmas Eve we began our study of the miraculous birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. And there is one overwhelming characteristic that jumps off the page as we study the birth of our Lord. In fact, let me ask you a question. If you were asked to describe the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ in one word what would it be? If you only got one word to describe the circumstances of Jesus’ birth what would it be?

The Birth of Jesus was Humble

You see, the birth of the Lord didn’t occur in a palace. There were no midwives or servants rushing about. There were no guards protecting Him. There was no royal cradle. It was just two exhausted parents in a cave used for livestock and a feeding trough that was used for a bed. And here is the most wonderful thing about these humble circumstances. These circumstances reveal the very heart of God. He stooped low so that He could lift us up. Even in His birth the Lord demonstrates just how deep His love for us runs. I cannot find the right words to describe the wonderful grace, mercy, and love of the God we serve—but the manger says it all.

So, as we get rolling this morning. I want to do something a little different. I want to start with a story a came across during my prep time, and I think this story will help you understand the title of today’s lesson.

Back in the days of the stagecoach, a man was taking a trip and he could purchase a first class, a second class, or a third class ticket. He looked at the seats in the stagecoach and since all the seats looked about the same, he bought a third class ticket. So, as he was riding along in the stagecoach, and since things were going pretty well , he was congratulating himself on saving a little money. Then the stagecoach got to the bottom of a valley with a steep hill on the other side, and it couldn’t make it up the hill. So, the driver stopped the stagecoach and He called back to the passengers. He said,

“First class passengers keep your seats. Second class passengers get out and walk.” And finally the stagecoach driver said. “Third class passengers get behind the stagecoach and push”.

Here is the point I want to make today. When Christ came into the world He chose to do so with a third class ticket. You see, Jesus was not born in first class accommodations. He did not live a first class life, and Jesus certainly did not die a first class death. As Jesus Himself would later say to His disciples.

Mark 10:45 NKJV

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

This is what we must consider as we study the birth of our Lord. This was someone who had a position of absolute equality with God. He was surrounded by the privileges and powers of heaven itself. He was worshipped and served by angels too numerous to count. And He turned His back on all of that. Jesus laid aside the exercise of His divine authority, and He took the form of a slave by coming in the likeness of men. Simply put, Jesus purchased a third class ticket when He came to earth.

Yes, Jesus came as a servant. One who got behind the stagecoach and pushed while all the other passengers enjoyed their first class accommodations. And this brings us to the title of today’s lesson.

The Church Needs More Third Class Citizens like Jesus

You see, all of us have been so influenced by the world that we spend our whole lives trying to upgrade our positions. The world teaches us to strive for that first class ticket. We work tirelessly at our careers to advance our status among our peers. We work to have more money, to have nicer things, and to command the respect of colleagues and coworkers. Simply put, we measure success by how high we can climb, how much we accumulate, and how many people notice. We want to be those first class passengers that remain in our seats while others get out and push.

But Church, Jesus shows us a radically different way. You see, the Lord, starting with His birth, exposes the folly of this self-centered world system. He shows us that God’s way doesn’t lead to self-exaltation. In stead the Lord shows us that we should humble ourselves and serve our brothers. The Lord shows us that if we want to be great in His coming kingdom that we don’t need to be 1st class passengers. No, instead we need to be third class passengers. We need to be the ones behind the stage coach pushing our brothers.

And as we study the Lord’s birth this morning. I want you to realize something else. There are no 1st class passengers anywhere in this story. There is a poor carpenter and his teenage finance who are both from the Podunk town of Nazareth, and some shepherds. We are going to learn this morning that shepherds were men who lived on the bottom rung of society. You see, everybody in this story were 3rd class passengers. These are nobodies. These are the people the world scoffs at and looks down on.

But before we go any further, let’s talk about how the world handled royal births during this time? Do you know what kind of people gathered in the ancient Near East when a royal son was born? Needless to say it was a major political and religious event. It drew the most important figures in society. Royal advisors, nobles and governors, military commanders, court officials, priests and religious leaders. And once the child was born safely messengers would have been sent out across the land and celebrations were often organized immediately.

That’s what happened when earthly kings were born. But when the King was born? He was surrounded not by the powerful, but by the poor. Not by nobles, but by nobodies. Not by first‑class passengers, but by third‑class passengers

And so as we begin our study of the Lord’s birth this morning, remember who gets to participate in these event. Remember who God announces this birth too, and let this text remind us of a principle that we should never forgot. Listen to what Psalm 138 says,

Psalm 138:6 NKJV

6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

If you walk away with nothing else this morning, walk away with this. God works through the humble nobodies. God reveals Himself to the humble nobodies. You see, God’s resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble” (James 4:10). And so, if you want you be a part of God’s plan, go ahead and give away that first class ticket and get out and push. Amen.

Ok, I think we are ready to dive into our text for this morning. But before we begin, let’s go to the Lord in prayer. Let’s pray.

Now before we jump into our verses let me quickly recap what we covered on Christmas Eve. Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be registered with the Roman government. The Romans wanted all the families registered so they could be taxed. We learned that this journey was roughly 80 to 90 miles depending on the route they took. This would have taken Mary and Joseph somewhere between 4 to 7 days given the terrain and Mary’s condition.

And as we know they get to Bethlehem and Mary goes into labor. Let’s read verse 7.

Luke 2:7 NKJV

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Man. Can you imagine what a struggle this was for this couple? They are dog tired. They’ve been on the road for days. They finally make it to their destination, and they have no place to stay because the inn is full. Then to top it off Mary’s goes into labor. And here is the million dollar question. Where did they stay? Where did the birth actually take place?

Because of most of the nativity scenes we see today, we often think Jesus was born in a stable, but I’m not sure that was the case.

I think it is more likely that Jesus was born in a cave behind the inn. This would be where shepherds kept their livestock. And in that cave, there was a feeding trough. That is what a manger is, a feeding trough. There was a feeding trough that became a makeshift crib for the Creator of the universe.

Talk about a third class ticket. I’m fairly certain almost everyone in this room was attended by nurses and doctors when they were born, or at least a skilled midwife. And I’m 100% sure no one was born in a cave and had to be laid in a feeding trough. It is mindboggling to think that the Son of God was born in more humble circumstances than anyone in this room.

Ok, this brings us to verse 8, and now Luke shifts His attention from the manager to the Shepherds, and this is where we will begin our study this morning.

Luke 2:8–9 NKJV

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Verse 8 says, “there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night”. We need to talk about shepherds for a second. And since I’ve been using the 1st class / 3rd class passenger theme this morning, let me stick with it. You see, I want you to understand that shepherds were 3rd class citizens in Israel, and let me explain why.

They were considered unclean. Why? Because their work kept them in contact with animal waste, blood, dead animals and dirt. You see, the nature of their work kept them in conditions that made it nearly impossible to maintain the purity expectations of religious life.

2. They were uneducated.

3. They were considered untrustworthy.

Rabbinic sources (later compiled in the Talmud) show that shepherds were often barred from giving testimony in court because they were suspected of letting their flocks graze on land that wasn’t theirs—essentially being treated like petty thieves.

4. They were Associated with the Lower Class

While not necessarily “outcasts,” shepherds were undeniably poor, uneducated, and socially insignificant. They represented the humble and marginalized, not the elite or respected classes.

And here is what is so amazing to me. Does God send angels to the Temple? Does God send angels to the chief priest or the scribes? No. God sends angels to announce the birth of the Kings of kings to Shepherds. To the unclean, uneducated, untrustworthy shepherds who everyone else looked down on.

Again, I can’t say this enough. God is with the humble. God is with the poor. God is with those whom the world discards and throws away. You see, God isn’t sitting with the first class passengers. He’s sitting with the third class passengers.

Here is the first major takeaway for you this morning.

God delights to reveal Himself to the humble. So, if you want to see God’s glory don’t climb higher, bow lower.

You see, God doesn’t reveal this birth to the religious elite. God doesn’t even announce the coming of the Messiah to people who were considered reliable witnesses. God announces His birth to humble third class citizens who the world looked down on.

But there is also another reason why God may have chosen shepherds. Do you remember anyone else in the Bible who was a shepherd? One who later became a king?

Yes, that’s right—it was David. And if you remember David’s story, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel after the failings of King Saul. When God sent Samuel, He sent him to the house of Jesse, David’s father. And God told Samuel, “The next king will be one of Jesse’s sons.”

So Jesse lines up seven of his sons and presents them to Samuel. One by one they pass before him, and one by one the Lord says, “No… not this one.” Finally Samuel turns to Jesse and says, “Are these all the young men? Jesse, have you brought all your sons?”

And Jesse essentially says, “Well… pretty much. I mean, there is the youngest—but he’s out there keeping the sheep.” In other words, “Surely you don’t mean him.”

But Samuel insists, and they bring in the lowly shepherd boy. And the moment David walks in, God speaks: “This is the one. This is the one I have chosen.”

So, let me make this point again. God doesn’t often pick the first class passengers. God doesn’t pick men the way we do, based on their outward appearance. No, God choses men based on the condition of their heart. God often works through the humble third class passengers.

Now stay with me here because I’m going somewhere with David’s story. I have a good reason to go down this rabbit trail. So, we know David’s story, He ends up becoming the greatest of Israel’s kings, but here is something you may or may not know.

God makes a promise to David, and it is one of the most significant promises in the OT. It is referred to as the Davidic covenant. And we find the covenant God makes with David in 2 Samuel chapter 7. And in this covenant God promises David that one of His descendants will rule on his throne forever. Let’s read the verses.

2 Samuel 7:12–13 NKJV

12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

I cannot overstate how important this promise is in God’s plan. God has promised David that a member of His household will rule from David’s throne forever. God’s repeats the promise in verse 16 which says,

2 Samuel 7:16 NKJV

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

And so now let me stop and ask you a question that you should now the answer to. Which one of David’s descendents is going to rule on his throne forever? Ding, ding, ding. Yes. The Lord Jesus Christ is going to rule from the throne of David forever. You see, if you study the genealogies in both Luke and Matthew we find out that Jesus was a descendant of David on both Mary and Joseph's sides. In fact, that is why Joseph and Mary have to go to Bethlehem to be registered because Joseph was of the “house and lineage of David”.

Ok. You got all that. I hope so because I’m getting ready to make my point. When God announces the arrival of the Messiah, He is announcing the one who is going to rule from the throne of David. In other words, He is announcing the “Son of David” who was going to rule forever. You see, that is how Jewish people referred to the Messiah. They called him, “the Son of David” because they were familiar with God’s promise to David in the OT.

And so now your thinking ok William, but what does all of this have to do with Christ’s birth? Well, if Jesus is a son of David, what a fitting way to announce His birth. You see, David was once a lowly shepherd boy that everyone over looked. And so how appropriate now to announce the coming of the Messiah (the Son of David) to another bunch of lowly shepherds. It’s almost as if God is saying to the world, “remember how you underestimated the poor shepherd boy. Wait until you see what I’m going to do with this “Son of David”. Amen. Remember, the verse from Psalm 138 that we started with.

Psalm 138:6 NKJV

6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

Ok, we got to get moving. So, the Lord is announcing this great news to the shepherds. Picking back up a verse 9.

Luke 2:9–12 NKJV

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

The angel appears, the glory of the Lord lights up the night sky, and these rough, uneducated, socially unwanted shepherds are the first to hear the greatest news the world has ever received. Not priests. Not kings. Not nobles. But shepherds. Shepherds just like Jesus’ earthly forefather David.

You see, that’s the heart of God on display.

He bypasses the palaces and goes straight to the pasture. He skips over the powerful and speaks to the poor. He ignores the proud and draws near to the lowly.

The birth of Jesus is God’s declaration that His kingdom does not run on the world’s values. The world celebrates status, but God celebrates humility. The world lifts up the impressive, but God lifts up the overlooked. The world chases first‑class seats, but God fills His kingdom with third‑class passengers who know they need Him.

And this is what every person must come to grips with: there is nothing a man can do to enter the kingdom of God of his own will. No amount of good works can reconcile a sinner to God. No religious effort can bridge the gap. There is absolutely nothing man can do to save himself.

Just as Jesus told Nicodemus—the teacher of Israel—“Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” And Nicodemus, confused and thinking only in physical terms, responded, “How can a man be born again? How can a grown man enter his mother’s womb a second time?”

So Jesus explains that He isn’t talking about a man being born again physically. No—Jesus is talking about man’s need to be born again spiritually in order to enter the kingdom of God. And then He goes on to reveal the one and only way a person can experience that new birth.

And church, I hope and pray you know this next verse backwards and forwards, because it is the doorway into eternal life. It is arguably clearest explanation Jesus ever gave of how a person can be saved.

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

There is only one way a person receives everlasting life. They must believe in Jesus Christ for it. And this in itself is humbling for a person. In the world we are taught we can do anything we put our mind to. Right. I mean all we need is for someone to tell us we can’t do something, and oh boy. It’s on now. Then we will literally make it our mission in life to do the very thing someone said we couldn’t. But you see that’s the pride that lives in our flesh.

But when it comes to being born again, that pride hits a wall. Because there is literally nothing we can do. No effort to make. No achievement to reach. No work to perform. Salvation is not something we earn—it is a gift we receive.

All we can do… all we must do… is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And you do now what that means. That means that our eternal destiny rests entirely and completely on the Son of David. A poor carpenter’s Son who was born in a cave and laid in a feeding trough on the night of His birth. Wow! that something isn’t it.

And tragically pride will be the reason why untold numbers of men will not be able to enter the kingdom of God. They will miss it because they wouldn’t believe in a poor carpenter’s son from the Podunk little town of Nazareth. Jesus’ own hometown of Nazareth rejects him because He was so ordinary and they knew His poor family. It was their pride that blinded them.

Do not make this mistake. Do not look to yourself or your own abilities. Do not let your pride convince you that you are a good enough or that you’ve done enough to make it to heaven. That is pride. No one comes to the Father except through the Son. No one will enter the Kingdom of God without being born again spiritually. And that rebirth happens the moment we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Ok, let me go ahead and finish up here. Let’s look back at Luke chapter 2 verses 11 and 12.

Luke 2:11–12 NKJV

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Verse 11 describes Jesus as a Savior. You may not know this but the Name Jesus means, “Yahweh is salvation or Yahweh saves”. And then the angel goes on and says “who is Christ”. Christ is the Greek equivalent of Messiah, and then the Angel finishes up by describing Him as Lord”. In short, The titles given to this Child—Savior, Christ and Lord identify Him as Israel’s long awaited Deliverer, Anointed One, and Ruler.

And then the angel gives them a sign. He says, “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger”. Now it was common practice during this time to wrap babies in strips of cloth tightly to protect their limbs from getting damaged. And so there might have been more than one baby wrapped in swaddling cloths in Bethlehem that night. But, finding a baby laying in a manger would have been highly unusual. There was only one baby laying in a Manger that night, and it was a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

And let’s finish up with our last two verses.

Luke 2:13–14 NKJV

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, goodwill toward men!”

Oh how different are the ways of heaven from the ways of the world. In heaven there was a celebration unlike anything this world has ever seen. While earth slept, heaven sang. While the world ignored the birth of its Savior, the armies of heaven filled the sky with praise. No kings gathered in Bethlehem, but the King of kings was worshiped by a multitude of angels. No musicians played on earth, but heaven’s choir erupted in glory. No guards stood watch over the manger, but the host of heavenly armies stood ready to serve the newborn King.

And that brings us to the heart of this message.

The world chases first‑class seats. The world celebrates status, power, and prestige. The world bows to the impressive and applauds the important.

But God… God fills His story with third‑class passengers—the poor, the humble, the overlooked, the ordinary. A carpenter. A teenage girl. A group of shepherds. A baby in a manger.

So what does that mean for us?

The Church Needs More Third Class Citizens like Jesus

People who are willing to stoop. People who are willing to serve. People who are willing to take the lowest place so Christ can be lifted to the highest.

Because to be great in the coming kingdom of God, you must be willing to give up that first class ticket, for a third class ticket. As the Lord taught His disciples,

Mark 9:35 NKJV

35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

So may we follow our Savior— the One who came not to be served, but to serve. The One who traded heaven’s throne for a manger’s straw. The One who showed us that the path to glory always begins in humility.

Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Let’s pray.