Worship in the Pasture
O Come Let Us Adore Him • Sermon • Submitted
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8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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 of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The Significance of the Shepherds
The Significance of the Shepherds
I was demoted. The Christmas Play that I was to star in as Joseph had to go on without me. I have shared with you that for whatever reason, I was late to the service in which I was to be Joseph. By the time I got there, the decision was made for me to no longer be in the esteemed role as Joseph. Despite my pleading and my attempt to be so bold as to walk out on the stage to bully the stand-in Joseph away, I was demoted to the role of what I thought then was a lowly shepherd. I have since learned that there was great significance in that first birth announcement that was made to these lowly shepherds.
Why were they considered to be lowly? Scripture shows us that shepherds were at one time a respected people. For example, David is portrayed as a shepherd boy and one that was quite talented. 1 Samuel 16:23 indicates that the shepherd boy David would play the harp and soothe King Saul. 1 Samuel 16:23
23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
This gave much comfort to a troubled King Saul. However, most of the evidence of this age shows that the character of the shepherds was not too impressive.
They were banned from religious customs because they were considered unclean. They could not testify in the court system because the were deemed untrustworthy. They had a reputation for using land that wasn’t theirs to use and were considered to be nuisances. When it came to their character, the shepherds were typically not liked.
However, their care was quite unique. They were to take care of the sheep at all costs. They had several tasks they did every day and night. They were to watch for enemies trying to attack or even steal the sheep. They had to care for the weak and wounded sheep. They spent time looking for the lost sheep and freeing the trapped sheep from the snares and thickets. They had to love the sheep so show the sheep these shepherds could be trusted. The shepherds lived with the sheep outside, no matter what the element were.
One theory even suggests that these shepherds on that particular night were caring for sheep that were going to be use in the coming Passover.
Their calling was unique and scripture does show that shepherds had a tender side as well.
They constantly counted their sheep.
12 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In this place, desolate and without men or animals—in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks. 13 In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,’ says the Lord.
The shepherds would lift the weak sheep on their shoulders.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
The shepherds would also create pens to keep the sheep safe and often sleep at the gate so nothing could attack them.
1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
Shepherds in both the Old Testament and New Testament symbolize all the ordinary people that have received the gospel. We see this retrospectively as a prophecy fulfilled.
8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel.
I love the Christmas story and how it tells the Good News, don’t you? The details are quite important. Luke continues this story from detailing the purpose of the census and the way God works through a government that was anti-God and giving us the details of how the pronouncement was made.
Notice the significance of the surroundings.
The Significance of the Surroundings
The Significance of the Surroundings
The phrase “keeping watch” tells us more than just a time. The Greek words show that it literally meant “watching watches.” Outside the town of Bethlehem, there was a watch tower called Migdal Eder. The purpose of this watch tower was to watch the flocks specifically destined for sacrifice in the temple. In fact, that is what it means, the watchtower of the flock. It was a Jewish conviction that when the Messiah came, He would be born in Bethlehem and revealed from the Migdal Eder.
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.
21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.
I mention these verses because the Jewish tradition and conviction I mentioned, stems back from this time mentioned in Genesis, and it is mentioned in Micah.
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
It is important because the place of the shepherds was close to the place where Jesus was born. It was close to the cradle so to speak.
I have indicated on the outline that it was calm and clear. You know, the song says so, “All is calm, all is bright.” The truth of the matter is that there is nothing in scripture to support this. However, I believe it was because it was an ordinary night. Until the announcement came, nothing out of the ordinary took place. As detailed as Luke is, there is nothing to show that a special weather phenomenon took place or anything similar that could explain what happened in their surroundings. What happened that Holy Night was indeed an extraordinary event on a very ordinary night.
In fact, I find it quite hilarious that the ones caring for the sacrificial lambs weren’t good enough for the religious right, yet they are the first to learn of the Messiah’s birth! Those who made the critical customs were held back from the news that Christ had come! The lowly shepherds received the highest news of all! What a statement they received! But notice the significance of that statement.
The Significance of the Statement
The Significance of the Statement
First, notice who made the statement. The Bible says, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them.” We have already established that there is no scriptural reference for a weather phenomenon or the such, so we do not have any doubt that it was indeed an angel of the Lord. We also see evidence of the statement be accompanied by the “glory of God.” The word for glory is doxa which we get the word doxology from. This glory that was “shone all around them” would have been terrifying.
There are several mentions of an angel of the Lord being used by God in Scripture. Each instance, provokes a startling that is seen here by the shepherds as well.
7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.
12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
All of these verses indicate to me that it was a startling experience. Now I have never had an experience like that where I knew that an angel of the Lord appeared to me. However, I can tell you that I have been around angels unaware.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
The Christmas story is quite clear that the shepherds were quite clear that this angel who was later accompanied by other angels, was something from God. We can believe that the statement that was made by an angel of the Lord.
So what was the statement?
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
I love that the first thing the word of the Lord does is to remove the fear. “Do not be afraid.” They just had the ba-jee-bies scared out of them, and this angel says, “do not be afraid.” “I bring you good news of great joy.” Oh the joy of good news! That phrase literally means, “I evangelize to you!” Oh my if we would catch that phrase and share it more! The angels had good, good news! Don’t you need good news today? Isaiah proclaimed it long before the angel did!
9 You who bring good tidings to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
So why does it matter? I am glad you asked! It matters because “Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Oh my, “He is Christ the Lord!” Christos. Christ means the anointed one in Greek. Lord is the transliteration of a Hebrew term that has a similar meaning from God’s name Yahweh. Luke is giving us a double dose of who this Child is! He goes on in Acts to describe Him more:
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Paul helps out in 2 Corinthians 4:5
5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Do you see what happened with this announcement to the lowly shepherds?
As Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The Infinite and the Infant. Oh the Wonder of Christmas! It is a miracle of miracles that the Infinite should become an Infant.”
If that was not enough, the angel of the Lord then gives the shepherds a sign.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The Significance of the Sign
The Significance of the Sign
Don’t miss the significance of the sign: Christ the Lord was the Baby in a manger that was God Himself with all power and all authority under heaven. They were distinctively told where to find the Newborn Child. There were distinguishing characteristics. This baby was not in the nursery at the local hospital, but in a place where animals would feed. The Bread of Life could be found and served to satisfy our spiritual hunger! They were directed where they would find the Christ child, wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. The significance of the sign is still the same today for us. We can find Jesus if we look for Him. He is ready to be found but today He is not the babe in Bethlehem. He is had completed the atoning sacrifice of being made a man so you and I can be atoned for forever more and have everlasting peace. Do you know what I know? As we have visited this passage, I want to worship in the pasture? What about you?