Shepherds – The Specially Chosen
Cast Characters for Christmas - Part 3
Luke 2:8-20
For the past couple of weeks, we have been looking at various cast characters the Lord assembled to bring us Christmas… We began this miniseries by looking at Mary, and seeing in her a wonderful example of … surrender… May the Lord make us more like Mary, with a surrendered heart and life to Him…
We then looked at Joseph, and saw with him what a true gentleman looks like… Joseph was charged with the responsibility of accepting God's call upon him and Mary to raise the Son of God, to protect Him, provide for Him, and to be a faithful man unto God, even when facing circumstances beyond his full understanding…
This week, in our last message in this Christmas series, we are going to take a closer look at the shepherds… Our text is found in Luke chapter 2, and though we will focus on verses :8-20, let's begin our reading, at the beginning of the chapter –
Luke 2:1-20
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased."15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, 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." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 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. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
There are many things to glean from our text, and there are different outlines that have been derived from our text, but we are going to think specifically about three strong themes, and lean into them in our study today.
Let's begin with what we will call –
1. The Choosing of the Common
Look with me again, to verse :8 –
Luke 2:8
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
This verse simply reads as a part of the narrative – but there is more to consider here than simply who is doing what, when, and where…
We are being introduced to some specific cast members that God has assembled to give us Christmas! No Christmas pageant is complete without the shepherds!... But, just what is significant about the shepherds? Why should we dedicate a whole sermon to them?...
To answer that, let's take a look at just who shepherds are…
For us to appreciate the significance of the Lord choice to include shepherds in the unfolding of the birth of Christ, we need to think about their particular … social standing in that culture and time…
I suppose it would help if I were to ask you a few questions:
What, in your mind, is the typical attitude about … used car salesmen?... How about ambulance chasering lawyers?... What is the typical social standing of unlicensed, uninsured, contractors?... I would dare say, most people don't have a lot of confidence in those stereotypes… That is how it was for those who tended sheep in that day!
One commentator says –
Leon Morris – "As a class, shepherds had a bad reputation…More regrettable was their habit of confusing 'mine' with 'thine' as they moved about the country. They were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give testimony in the law courts."
Kent Hughes writes that – "According to the Mishnah, shepherds were under a ban. They were regarded as thieves. (Quoting from TDNT, Vol 6, pp 488-491) The only people lower than shepherds at that particular time in Jewish history were lepers."
I'm grateful the Lord doesn't limit His choices to those who are held in high esteem by the surrounding culture!... In fact, He seldom does! As the Apostle Paul later writes to the Corinthian church –
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
These particular shepherds were given the high honor of being included in the narrative of the birth of Christ!...
It has been noted by many that Bethlehem shepherds were the ones given charge in raising the lambs … that were used for sacrifice in the temple…
Despite the social standing of shepherds then … we have the notion of thinking about shepherds with a … warm sense of fondness in our hearts – and we get this, because of passages like this – as well as the whole of Scripture…
David, in the 23rd Psalm speaks of the Lord being "my Shepherd"!... We learn that the Lord provides, protects, guides, and even corrects His sheep in passages like this…
Listen to –
Isaiah 40:11
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs
And carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
What a gracious understanding of our Lord!...
Listen to –
Ezekiel 34:12-15
12 As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord God.
When we turn to the NT, we see the imagery of a shepherd being used to describe Jesus, and we – the redeemed – are His sheep!... Jesus said –
John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,
Peter continues this imagery, and it is precious to those who belong to the Lord –
1 Peter 2:25
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
And listen, we will enjoy His Shepherding throughout eternity! –
Revelation 7:17
for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
The Lord specializes in taking that which the world despises … claims it for His Own – sanctifies it – and elevates it to its highest purpose…
There is a lesson there – a lesson that the Lord had to teach the Apostle Peter, and many of us –
Acts 10:15b (ESV)
… "What God has made clean, do not call common."
Now, we've already spent a lot of time on just one verse, and it's really not the main point, so let's move on and revisit what happens to these … choice shepherds of the Lord, and what made this particular night so special… Let's read about –
2. The Announcement from the Angel
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.
These shepherds were out in the fields, at night … minding their own business… Then something happens that … changes everything!
Their night is interrupted with the manifestation of an angelic being!... The appearance of the angel is … overwhelming to say the least! The "glory of the Lord shone around them" – that is, there was a … supernatural manifestation of the glory of the Lord surrounding and engulfing these shepherds!...
What is their reaction? – pure … terror!
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
The angel does something here that is seldom done by angels… The message he brings is … literally "the gospel" – that is what "good news" means!
John Trapp said – "The first preacher of the gospel was an angel. God hath now taken this honour from the angels, and put it upon the ministers, who in Scripture are called angels, Revelation 2:1."
This angel, sent from heaven, delivers a message – the most profound message ever delivered from heaven – the message of the birth of the Savior, Christ, the Lord!...
Notice three things about this announcement – first, it is –
● The Singular Message
Luke 2:11
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
This message is precise, personal, and profound!... It is the precise message of the birth of the Messiah – He is here!... It is a personal message - "born for you"!... It is a profound message – the One born is no other than Christ, the Lord!... This is a profound announcement that Christ is indeed … God, in the flesh!
It is also important to note that the announcement is of the birth of a Savior – not an advisor, entertainer, or even a judge – but a Savior!… A Savior is One Who would deliver His people from judgement… And this Savior is none other than Christ, the Lord!
The baby in the manger is none other than God in human flesh!
And how will they be able to recognize Him? Will there be a … hallow around His head?... Will there be the manifest "glory of the Lord" shining around Him?... NO!... Let's consider –
● The Assuring Confirmation
Luke 2:12
This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
No hallow… no shining glory… just an ordinary looking baby, in an unordinary place…
It's not everyday that a hay trough is used as a baby crib…
I don't want to read into this point any more than what is being said – but I would like to make an observation that is borne throughout Scripture… And that is – God uses the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary… Jesus didn't need to be born in a palace in order to be recognized as special…
He could use any 'ol bush to set aflame with His presence without consuming it in order to get Moses' attention… Jesus would use the simple lunch to feed thousands…
But there is an … extraordinary thing to take place that will remove any doubt that the shepherds are encountering nothing more than an ordinary baby!
What convinces these shepherds that they are indeed receiving a clear message from God?... It is –
● The Angelic Accompanyment
Luke 2:13-14
13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased."
Throughout this series we have witnessed the special encounter between God's chosen people and angelic beings! Mary was visited by Gabriel. So was Joseph… It is an angel to gives this announcement to the shepherds – but, in this case – the angel is not alone!
The heavenly choir shows up – and shows out!... They take their concert on tour! In heaven, they are in the presence of God, worshipping Him … and now, here on earth, before the audience of … common shepherds, they bring their angelic message!...
And notice the emphasis in their message – is one of peace!...
No human emperor, no amount of money, and no religion – and certainly not the false religion of Islam that claims to be the religion of peace – can bring peace to the heart, like the Prince of Peace, Who is laying in that manger can!... And this very Jesus is deserving of all praise and glory!
I like Wiersbe's comments at this point –
Warren Wiersbe – "The angels praised God at creation (Job 38:7), and now they praised Him at the beginning of the new creation. The whole purpose of the plan of salvation is 'glory to God' (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). God's glory had dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and in the temple (2 Chron. 7:1–3), but had departed because of the nation's sin (1 Sam. 4:21; Ezek. 8:4; 9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22–23). Now God's glory was returning to earth in the person of His Son (John 1:14). That lowly manger was a Holy of Holies because Jesus was there!"
Now, there is one more major point I believe this text illustrates for us today… We'll call it –
3. The Transformation from the Typical
Luke 2:15-20
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, 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." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 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. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
How do we see "transformation" here?... It's in the shepherds… Now get this – they don't stop being shepherds. But they do become witnesses!
Again, Wiersbe –
Warren Wiersbe – "For some reason, shepherds were not permitted to testify in court, but God used some humble shepherds to be the first human witnesses that prophecy had been fulfilled and the Messiah had been born. The angels have never experienced the grace of God, so they can't bear witness as we can. Telling others about the Saviour is a solemn obligation as well as a great privilege, and we who are believers must be faithful."
The shepherds "went back" – went back to their jobs, their lives, but … they are never the same!
We are left to speculate about the next three decades… These shepherds have only one message to share for the next 30 years. All they can attest to, is that Christ – The Savior – has been born!... They have nothing more to say about His words – His works – or even where He is… They were only given the message of His birth, and His mission – and that message is enough to transform them into … bold witnesses!
Listen – we have so much more to testify to, concerning Christ!... We know of His life, His words, His works! We know of His death, its purpose – His resurrection, ascension, and one-day return!...
Have not these truths transformed us?... We too, should be telling everyone we can of Who Jesus is – What Jesus has done – specifically, that He and He Alone is the Savior and Lord!...
C.H. Spurgeon – "Good news is not to be kept to ourselves. When we have ascertained its truth we are to tell it to others, and we are especially to tell the goodness of salvation. Tell it, O ye who know it in your own hearts by blessed experience! Tell it, though it will sometimes be with broken accents in the feebleness of your flesh yet even then tell it in the ardor of your heart's affection, and God will bless your testimony, and others will learn the good news through you."
We who have been transformed, have a transforming message!... We have a Savior – Who saves people from their sin – Who saves people, by absorbing the judgement for their sin upon Himself!...
We have a Lord – a Lord Who is Sovereign, and Who knows what is best, and we are not only to follow Him – but to speak of Him, everywhere we can!
Questions to Consider in Community Group:
- What is significant about shepherds that we should consider?
- What was the exact message the angel announced to the shepherds, and why would that message be so "transformative"?
- What specifically has helped you in this message, or series?
- What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared in the message?
Leon Morris – "As a class, shepherds had a bad reputation…More regrettable was their habit of confusing 'mine' with 'thine' as they moved about the country. They were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give testimony in the law courts."
Kent Hughes – "According to the Mishnah, shepherds were under a ban. They were regarded as thieves. (Quoting from TDNT, Vol 6, pp 488-491) The only people lower than shepherds at that particular time in Jewish history were lepers."
John Trapp – "The first preacher of the gospel was an angel. God hath now taken this honour from the angels, and put it upon the ministers, who in Scripture are called angels, Revelation 2:1."
Warren Wiersbe – "The angels praised God at creation (Job 38:7), and now they praised Him at the beginning of the new creation. The whole purpose of the plan of salvation is 'glory to God' (see Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). God's glory had dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and in the temple (2 Chron. 7:1–3), but had departed because of the nation's sin (1 Sam. 4:21; Ezek. 8:4; 9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22–23). Now God's glory was returning to earth in the person of His Son (John 1:14). That lowly manger was a Holy of Holies because Jesus was there!"
Warren Wiersbe – "For some reason, shepherds were not permitted to testify in court, but God used some humble shepherds to be the first human witnesses that prophecy had been fulfilled and the Messiah had been born. The angels have never experienced the grace of God, so they can't bear witness as we can. Telling others about the Saviour is a solemn obligation as well as a great privilege, and we who are believers must be faithful."
C.H. Spurgeon – "Good news is not to be kept to ourselves. When we have ascertained its truth we are to tell it to others, and we are especially to tell the goodness of salvation. Tell it, O ye who know it in your own hearts by blessed experience! Tell it, though it will sometimes be with broken accents in the feebleness of your flesh yet even then tell it in the ardor of your heart's affection, and God will bless your testimony, and others will learn the good news through you."
