Humble Shepherds

Luke 2:8–20 ESV

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.

The Lord is working even when we do not see or realize it. When the Lord calls you to do something, He already has others where they need to be for things to work as He planned.

Describe who shepherds are and the status they people saw them at.

King David was a poor shepherd when the Lord called him. We see the Lord using David in a great way and a name that is remembered.

Luke 2:9 ESV

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.

When ever we see the words “Angel of the Lord” we know that it is God Himself, manifested in a form we can see and approach.

As the Lord announces what is taking place, a thousand angels present themselves and praise the Lord for what He is doing.

This is what heaven was waiting for, knowing what was going to take place and how this was going to restore man with God.

Luke 2:15–16 ESV

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.

The shepherds was told what was taking place right before their eyes. They left everything to go and see this great thing. They did not stop or tend to their sheep. THEY DROPPED EVERYTHING AND WENT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

This is what the Lord calls us to do with the “Good News”. We are to take the news that was given and go and proclaim it to everyone as much as possible.

Luke 2:17–19 ESV

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.

Luke

When they got to were they were told, they shared what took place and all they saw. We see “Mary” soaking it all in. This is the beginning of what she will see and begin to understand.

Luke 2:20 ESV

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Just as the shepherds, we do the same thing when we see God at work and move in the hearts of the people. We have a testimony to proclaim to everyone through that experience. Whether it is from a missions trip, outreach from the church, or growth from the church.

When we look at the overall picture. It is no wonder that the Lord chose humble shepherds to experience and proclaim the greatest news.

When our hearts are humble only then can we see the glory of the Lord.