The Shepherds.
Following the timeline of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem for the census and the baby Jesus being born in a manger, we read in Luke of shepherds in the area. They become part of the setting of Jesus’ birth.
Lu 2:8 And in the same region there were [some] shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
These shepherds were camping in the countryside guarding and caring for their flock. What might be of note is according to tradition, the sheep were in the fields closer to the time of spring and summer which leaves open to questioning our December nativity scene. However, through culture and custom, we celebrate Jesus’ birth on December 25th. What is important is the event, perhaps more than pinning down the exact date. Back to our shepherds attending their flock by night.
The night hours, under the cover of darkness, would provide an opportunity for wild animals to prey upon the defenseless sheep hence, the shepherds would stay awake to keep an eye on them for protection and keep their flocks from straying. According to Albert Barnes New Testament Commentary, this can be more literally translated as “tending their flocks by turns through the night watches”.
What does the life of a shepherd look like? Certainly, they would need to be diligent workers in order to maintain the gathering of their flock into one area. Also, they would need to be dependable. Neglecting their turn at watch or becoming distracted could mean the loss of sheep.
Recall that when David was a shepherd keeping watch of his father’s flock, he had to fight off the attack of a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34). In the book of Exodus, we are given the information that Moses was a shepherd also, attending his father-in-law’s flock.
Smith’s Bible Dictionary gives us some practical information of a shepherd’s life. Their equipment consisted of a covering probably made from sheep skin to keep warm and a sling for a weapon. Traditionally, there would be small huts or shelters set up or they may have had their own form of a type of tent. And, as depicted in many nativity scenes, a shepherds crook to manage the flock would be common. Water would be supplied either from a stream or from a trough attached to a well.
The routine of a shepherd, again taken from Smith’s Bible Dictionary, was to lead the flock from the fold in the morning by calling to them and settling them into a pasture, sometimes with the assistance of dogs. The shepherd would provide water then in the evening, bring them back and check to see of any were missing. At night, he would keep watchful over the herd to protect them. Being a shepherd also required a certain care of the young lambs and those lambs who were weak.
Although the concentration here is on the shepherds, you cannot miss the correlation between the care of the actual livestock to the care of Christ’s own referred to as His sheep. This truly is a beautiful picture of our own protection from God and His tender mercies towards His children.
Imagine, the dark sky in the hills of Bethlehem, the shepherds keeping a diligent watch over the flock at night. The hustle and bustle of the city quieted down,
Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
This was not an everyday occurrence!! A quiet, peaceful dark sky, then instantly, the night was illuminated. One second, you blink your eyes and the next, you see standing before you an angel shining with the brilliance of God. There was no warning. We can only imagine the shepherds fear at this sight!
Recall the blinding light that appeared before Paul on the road to Damascus.
Ac 22:6,11 "And it came about that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 11 "But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
Often, a great light is connected with God’s glory and His angels.
Ex 24:16-17 And the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 17 And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.
Ps 104:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with splendor and majesty, 2 Covering Thyself with light as with a cloak, Stretching out heaven like a [tent] curtain.
Re 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Re 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Re 18:1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory.
Picture, the Shepherds in the fields on a night like so many other nights keeping watch over their flocks and in an instant this night was set apart as glorious and terrifying all at the same time. We have this vision of brightness and an angel appearing, then, in Luke 2:10, the angel speaks.
Lu 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
First, thankfully, the message is do not be afraid. It’s like someone telling you everything’s going to be okay in a disaster – you can appreciate the truth to their statement yet it takes a bit of time for your heart to stop racing and your brain to calm down! Trust trumps fear! Think of the proclamation to Zacharias when told that his wife Elisabeth would have a son in Luke 1:13. The words, ‘fear not’ preceded the impossible news. An angel also told Mary not to fear when she was visited with the news of her conception in Luke 1:30. Daniel was told to ‘fear not’ in his vision in Daniel Chapter 10. In Matthew, an angel appeared to the women seeking Jesus after he was crucified and buried, and told them to not fear (Mt 28:5). These accounts remind us of the incredible circumstances surrounding God’s messengers to His children. Angel’s appearing with divine messages were not every day, normal happenings, but miraculous events. Hence, although exciting, these events were also alarming.
The shepherds are given a reason why they need not fear. This messenger of God has brought good news! The words in the KJV are “good tidings of great joy”. This is the gospel as we understand it, and with it comes exceeding joy – the way of salvation for all men! I wonder if the shepherds had any idea the role God had chosen for them to play in the announcement of His plan of salvation for all mankind.
Lu 2:11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
I’m not certain we are able to imagine the joy this news brought to the shepherds.
Consider. What would our expectations be as humans for the announcement of a king? Perhaps, a herald of angels in a setting of pomp and circumstance filled with an innumerable amount of people eagerly awaiting to catch just a glimpse of royalty.
Notice the reference not only to ‘good news’ and ‘great joy’ but also to ‘all the people’. Jesus was born to this earth for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike, there were no exclusions in this announcement.
“The good tidings thus brought by the angel were of importance most universal and unlimited, reaching through all successions of time, and all extensions of place, filling all ages and all regions of the world with matter and with obligation of joy. In these tidings we are all concerned, and it is our duty to listen to them with reverent attention, seriously to weigh the purport of them, and diligently to contemplate the reasons of that great joy which should be effectually produced in us by them, as their proper and due result”. Dr. I. Barrow’s commentary in the British Family Bible
Think of the excitement that must have begun in the hearts of the shepherds as they are listening to this proclamation from God! These shepherds are probably of Jewish background and have knowledge of a coming Messiah and have been awaiting the fulfillment of this promise. The scene that is unfolding before their very eyes is the way to forgiveness and peace with God and this is for everyone, the Jewish race and all humans!
A Savior. Christ the Lord. The One who delivers. The ruler of heaven and earth.
Mt 1:21 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
Joh 1:29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him, and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
This is not just a news event that the shepherds are hearing. This is an event that directly involves them. It is what they have been expecting, the Messiah has been born. For them! Born as a gift to deliver them from sin and death.
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Personally, consider the difference between hearing of something that has happened in a far off land, and that same circumstance taking place in your own home or neighborhood or town. The shepherds in the fields have a direct stake in this event and it must have filled their hearts with an incredible disbelief of their fortune! As you think of the event taking place, realize you are personally involved in this plan of salvation for all mankind. Has your heart been changed by the Savior of the world? Do you recognize Him as Lord? Do you see your need for His deliverance?
Jesus – the Lord of all. Ac 10:36 "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace
Jesus – the Head and Ruler of the church. Eph 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
Jesus – the King of kings and Lord of Lords. Re 19:16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
Jesus – the Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
2Ti 1:9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 2Ti 1:10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Lu 2:12 "And this [will be] a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."
The shepherds are told where to look for the infant. They were given specific direction. Although we often may not understand God’s ways, we do have instruction to follow. We may easily get caught up in asking ‘why’, as in ‘Why is the baby lying in a manger’. Perhaps we do not need to be as concerned with the details as we are with the main point – Jesus has been born!
Luke goes on to record that a literal army of angels appeared and were praising God! The scene continues to become more magnificent. They were saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)
I am unable to comprehend the grandeur of this moment. The angels depart and the shepherds begin speaking to one another. We do not have to imagine their conversation as it is recorded for us!
Lu 2:15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds [began] saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
It seems from the wording that this was not a decision that took long to make. The KJV says ‘Let us now go’. The word now or de in Strong’s Greek is a particle of emphasis or explicitness. There is a conveyance of urgency. The shepherds wanted to see for themselves what the angels had proclaimed. They had been given a special revelation from God about their Messiah’s birth and they were going to act on it!
God’s children are given revelation through His Spirit in His word of how to live pleasing to God. What do we do with the information we have? Is it filed away for another time? Do we take immediate action? When sin is revealed to us, do we respond with repentance? When a certain direction is revealed to us, are we willing to walk toward it? When the need change is revealed to us, do we accept it?
Adam Clarke’s Commentary gives this insight, “let us go across the country at the nearest, that we may lose no time, that we may speedily see this glorious reconciler of God and man. All delays are dangerous: but he who delays to seek Jesus, when the angels, the messengers of God, bring him glad tidings of salvation, risks his present safety and his eternal happiness. … Reader, be wise. Acquaint thyself now with God …”
When we read Luke 2:15, what we do not read is the shepherds questioning what they had been told or what they had seen. Although, the event itself was out of the ordinary and probably quite spectacular, the shepherds take the information and believe. They quickly make their way to Bethlehem.
Lu 2:16-18 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
First, we saw the shepherds’ quick response to God. Now we read they share the words the angels proclaimed about this Child with the parents. Then they tell others the testimony of what they had witnessed with those around them. The Messiah has come, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)
How do you respond when you have good news? Are you excited to share with others?
God used the shepherds. They tarried at a simple task of caring for their livestock. They were nomads, roaming the countryside, guarding their flocks. Yet, they believed and became the first to proclaim the Gospel to others. God uses His children for His honor.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;
Ps 66:16 Come [and] hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
Ps 71:17-18 O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and I still declare Thy wondrous deeds. 18 And even when [I am] old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Thy strength to [this] generation, Thy power to all who are to come.
Wonder – this is the response of those who heard the good news. To be amazed, to have admiration. To marvel.
The shepherds in the fields were part of God’s plan and are forever etched in our mind in scenes depicting the birth of Christ. They heard, they believed, they responded, they witnessed. God has given us an example to follow.
