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The Angels Announce Jesus to the Shepherds
IT is a wonderful thing that the story should tell that the first announcement of God came to some shepherds. Shepherds were despised by the orthodox good people of the day. They were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe all the meticulous handwashings and rules and regulations. Their flocks made constant demands on them; and so the orthodox looked down on them. It was to simple men of the fields that God’s message first came.
But these were in all likelihood very special shepherds. We have already seen how in the Temple, morning and evening, an unblemished lamb was offered as a sacrifice to God. To see that the supply of perfect offerings was always available the Temple authorities had their own private sheep flocks; and we know that these flocks were pastured near Bethlehem. It is most likely that these shepherds were in charge of the flocks from which the Temple offerings were chosen. It is a lovely thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Scripture indicates that, like all other creatures, angels were created by God. It does not, however, explain when this creation occurred. The Bible refers to angels by a number of terms, such as “hosts,” “sons of God,” “holy ones,” and “spirits.” Angels are intelligent beings who possess great power. Their primary functions as revealed in Scripture are to engage in the worship of God in heaven and carry out his purposes on earth. God commissions angels to protect his people, deliver them from danger, transmit divine messages, and encourage believers.
Scripture indicates that, like all other creatures, angels were created by God. It does not, however, explain when this creation occurred. The Bible refers to angels by a number of terms, such as “hosts,” “sons of God,” “holy ones,” and “spirits.” Angels are intelligent beings who possess great power. Their primary functions as revealed in Scripture are to engage in the worship of God in heaven and carry out his purposes on earth. God commissions angels to protect his people, deliver them from danger, transmit divine messages, and encourage believers.
Scripture indicates that, like all other creatures, angels were created by God. It does not, however, explain when this creation occurred. The Bible refers to angels by a number of terms, such as “hosts,” “sons of God,” “holy ones,” and “spirits.” Angels are intelligent beings who possess great power. Their primary functions as revealed in Scripture are to engage in the worship of God in heaven and carry out his purposes on earth. God commissions angels to protect his people, deliver them from danger, transmit divine messages, and encourage believers.
The Greek for “terrified” (lit., “they feared a great fear”)
for behold, I bring you good tidings
On the spiritual level it refers to the extreme happiness with which the believer contemplates salvation and the bliss of the afterlife.
The psalms express the joyous mood of believers as they encounter God. Believers rejoice because God has surrounded them with his steadfast love (32:11) and brought them to salvation (40:16; 64:10). David rejoices that God has delivered him from the hand of his enemies (63:11). Joy is a response to God’s word (Ps. 119:14) and his reward to believers (Isa. 65:14) and their strength (Neh. 8:10).
which will be to all people.
He is a Savior, which is expressed in His name, Jesus. Then He is Christ, the Anointed of God, the Messiah of Israel. Finally, He is the Lord, God manifest in the flesh.