The Story of the Shepherds
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning we continue to look at the stories of Christmas contained in the Christmas narrative. So far we’ve looked at (1) The Story of Anticipation (There was great anticipation for the birth of the Messiah) (2) The Story of Zechariah and Elizabeth (The Story of God’s Faithfulness) and today the Story of the Shepherds (Participating in announcing God’s plan of Salvation)
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Lessons we can learn from the shepherds …
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Why would God announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds? Why not the priests or government leaders? Or possibly the well dressed worshippers around the temple? Quite possibly because He was trying to give us a glimpse into the nature of Jesus’ ministry as the Good Shepherd.
Life Application Bible Commentary, Luke Shepherds Visit Jesus / 2:8–20 / 10
Jesus would come, not to the proud and powerful, but to the outcasts, the humble, those considered “last” on the social lists.
I believe the main reason God chose shepherds was to show us that He intentionally seeks out and uses those that people consistently overlook and even look down upon.
1 cor 1
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
Shepherding in the Bible
Great Biblical leaders in Israel’s history had a connection with shepherding. (Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David) Jesus would be a shepherd in the line of great shepherds.
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Shepherding was thought of as an important and worthy profession. Shepherds worked hard. The sheep needed constant attention and care. Shepherds were committed to their sheep.
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.
exodus
While David’s brothers were striving to be Israel’s next King, David just kept tending and doing the job God gave him.
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. 72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;
Shepherding changed from a family business in David’s time to a despised occupation. Shepherds were borderline social outcasts.
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
Many shepherds were accused of robbery and using land they had no rights to. It was a lonely occupation, especially at night. (Had to keep watch for wandering sheep and prowling predators) Shepherds were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give testimony in the court of law.
They were thought of as dirty and unclean, not to mention they probably didn’t look good or smell good.
They were also considered religiously unclean. Due to there profession they couldn’t participate in the Jewish cleansing rituals and thus couldn’t participate in public worship. They were considered unclean. I’m sure when they did try to show there face at the temple, they got “The looks” from others.
Lessons we can learn from the shepherds …
Shepherding changed from a family business in David’s time to a despised occupation.
Lesson # 1: Stay Faithful in What God has Given You to Do
Lesson # 1: Stay Faithful in What God has Given You to Do
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Bethlehem's shepherds were known to care for the temple flock. These men may have been protecting and caring for the sacrificial lambs.
“keeping watch … by night” - a time of peace and quiet for the shepherds and the sheep. God chose the stillness of the night to send His message to the shepherds. A time when He would have their full and undivided attention.
Application - It is often in those times of quiet and stillness that the Lord will come to us.
Question: Are you allowing time for the Lord to speak to you? (Personal devotions, early in the morning / evening, times of worship / altar)
What did God speak to today? What has He been showing you lately?
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Like the shepherds, when the time comes, He’ll come and get you!
Lesson # 2: Never Lose Your Awe and Wonder for God’s Presence
Lesson # 2: Never Lose Your Awe and Wonder for God’s Presence
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
“Do not be afraid” - (Greek) To put to flight by terrifying; (to scare away)
What great words of comfort! Nearly 100 times in the Bible we find the words "Fear not" or "Be not afraid".
6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
This is different than “The fear of the Lord” (“respect, reverence, piety”) which states is the beginning of knowledge.
This is different than “The fear of the Lord” (“respect, reverence, piety”) which states is the beginning of knowledge.
This is different than “The fear of the Lord” (“respect, reverence, piety”) which states is the beginning of knowledge.
We tend to have more respect for buildings, rooms, furniture and programs than we do for God’s presence. (Don’t have to go to church, rather, we get to BE the church)
The reason many Jewish men wear yarmulkes is to remind themselves to be humbly in awe of God’s presence all around them.
“I bring you good news” (Gr: evangelizo) to preach the good news
Lesson # 3: Quickly Respond to the Lord’s Leading
Lesson # 3: Quickly Respond to the Lord’s Leading
We don’t know how many shepherds were there that faithful night or how many actually responded. What I find amazing is that the shepherds did not ask for a sign (as had ), but they received one.
luke 2.
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Life Application Bible Commentary, Luke Shepherds Visit Jesus / 2:8–20 / 10
The angel apparently expected the shepherds to immediately go looking for this child, so he told them what to look for. The baby would be wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Not only would this sign help the shepherds find the right baby, it would also attest to the truth of the angel’s words to the last detail. While there might be other newborn babies in Bethlehem wrapped in strips of cloth, there would be only one “lying in a manger.”
When we respond in faith, God proves Himself faithful!
Life Application Bible Commentary, Luke Shepherds Visit Jesus / 2:8–20 / 10
A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling “darkness” on the walls of his cell.
C. S. Lewis
Lesson #3: Quickly respond to the Lord’s leading and He’ll take care of the rest!
Lesson # 4: Be Sure to Spread the Word
Lesson # 4: Be Sure to Spread the Word
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
luke 2.
“Good tidings” or “good news” became another way of describing the gospel message. Luke used this phrase throughout the book of Acts ...
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
And this continued on through Paul’s ministry …
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1
The Gospel message is better lived than preached
“Your life as a Christian should make non believers question their disbelief in God.”
Lesson # 5: Take Time to Reflect on What God is Revealing to You
Lesson # 5: Take Time to Reflect on What God is Revealing to You
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Lesson # 5: Don’t Forget to Give Glory to God
Lesson # 5: Don’t Forget to Give Glory to God
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
The term “praising” was a favorite of Luke and is found 8x’s in the NT (6x’s in Luke-Acts)
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Praising God and giving recognition to Him will always result in God’s further blessing!
Conclusion
Conclusion
Can you relate to the shepherds? Feeling overlooked or that you’re not worthy of God’s love. Let me remind you that the shepherds lives were changed that night and your life can be changed to as well if you respond in the same way!
Life Application Bible Commentary, Luke Shepherds Visit Jesus / 2:8–20 / 10
The greatest event in history had just occurred! The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally happened, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all types of people, including the plain, the ordinary, and the outcasts of society. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don’t think that you need extraordinary qualifications—Jesus accepts you as you are.
Let me remind you of what the Angels announced …
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Receive the “Good News” today!