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The Good News as Told to the Shepherds
by Samuel E. Ward
December 19, 2010
Introduction
Biblical scholar F. F. Bruce describes the duties of the shepherd in biblical times:
The routine of the shepherd's duties appears to have been as follows: In the morning he led forth his flock from the fold (John 10:4), which he did by going before them and calling them, as is still usual in the East. Arriving at the pasturage, he watched the flock with the assistance of dogs (Job 30:1), and, should any sheep stray, he had to search for it until he found it (Ezekiel 34:12; Luke 15:4). He supplied them with water, either at a running stream or at troughs attached to wells (Genesis 29:7; 30:38; Exodus 2:16; Psalm 23:2). At evening he brought them back to the fold and checked to see that none was missing by passing them "under the rod" as they entered the door of the enclosure (Leviticus 27:32; Ezekiel 20:37), checking each sheep as it passed, by a motion of the hand (Jeremiah 33:13). Finally, he watched the entrance of the fold throughout the night, acting as gatekeeper (John 10:3). The shepherd's office thus required great watchfulness, particularly by night (Luke 2:8; cf. Nahum 3:18). It also required tenderness toward the young and feeble (Isaiah 40:11), particularly in driving them to and from the pasturage (Genesis 33:13). In large establishments there were various grades of shepherds; the highest were those "put … in charge" (Genesis 47:6), or "chief shepherds" (cf. 1 Peter 5:4). In a royal household the title ʼabbı̂r, "chief," was bestowed on the person who held the post (1 Samuel 21:7). Shepherds in Bible lands were of two varieties—those who were nomadic, and migrated to new pastures and sources of water, and those who resided in towns and tended flocks in nearby meadows.[1]
The Shepherds and the Good News
I. The Historical Context, Luke 2:1-3
(Luke 2:1-3 NIV) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. {2} (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) {3} And everyone went to his own town to register.
A. Caesar Augustus Was the Emperor of Rome at the Time of Christ's Birth.
Gregory Knox Jones writes:
When Jesus was born, Caesar Augustus was the most powerful person in the Western world. He ruled over the vast Roman Empire and declared himself to be a son of God. Moreover, he boldly asserted that he had brought peace to the whole world. Never mind that what he meant by peace was possessing such political clout and military might that he could keep people in check. His idea of peace had nothing to do with a just society but rather the absence of dissent.
So, he began his narration of the nativity by reminding his hearers of the impressive power that Caesar Augustus possessed and how he was the epitome of what people expected in a king. He had armies at his command, enjoyed extravagant wealth and ruled over an immense territory. And, notably, it was during the height of his rule that a poor Jewish couple gave birth to a child and named him Jesus. This birth took place in a small town far from the seats of power, in the humblest of settings. Because the inn where they were hoping to stay had already displayed its "No Vacancy" sign, the child's mother laid him in a feeding trough for animals. The contrast between a royal birth in a palace and the birth of Jesus could not be greater.[2]
B. Quirinius Was Governor of Syria at the Time of the Taxation Which Forced Joseph and Mary to Go to Bethlehem
The New Unger's Bible Dictionary notes that . . .
The census mentioned above seems, in Luke 2:2, to be identified with one that took place at the time of the birth of Christ, when Sentius Saturnius was governor of Syria. From this has arisen considerable difficulty, which has been variously solved, either by supposing some corruption in the text of Luke or by giving some unusual sense to his words. But A. W. Zumpt, of Berlin, has shown it to be probable that Quirinus (as rendered in the NIV) was twice governor of Syria and, by striking and satisfactory arguments, fixes the time of his governorship from 4 B .C. to A.D. 1; the second A.D. 6-10.
C. Luke Was a Historian Committed to Cementing the Events of Which He Wrote into the Historical Record as Fact, Not Fancy
His own statement to this purpose is given to us in Luke 1:1-4.
(Luke 1:1-4 NIV) Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, {2} just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. {3} Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, {4} so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
A writer in One Year with Jesus, a devotional published by Tyndale House, makes the following observation concerning Luke.
As a medical doctor Luke knew the importance of being thorough. He used his skills in observation and analysis to thoroughly investigate the stories about Jesus. His diagnosis? The gospel of Jesus Christ is true! You can read the accounts of Jesus' life with confidence that they are true and reliable. Because the gospel is founded on historical truth, our spiritual growth must involve careful, disciplined, and thorough investigation of the truth of God's Word so that we can understand how God has acted in history. Christianity doesn't say, "Close your eyes and believe," but rather, "Check it out for yourself." The Bible encourages you to investigate its claims thoroughly (John 1:46; 21:24; Acts 17:11-12) because your conclusion about Jesus is a life-and-death matter. Check out the evidence.
Discussion of the first census by Quirinius available at http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aiia/census-luke2.html
II. The Heavenly Arrival, Luke 2:4-7
(Luke 2:4-7 NIV) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. {5} He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. {6} While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, {7} and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
A. A Divinely Appointed Location, Micah 5:2
(Micah 5:2 NIV) "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."
B. A Divinely Appointed Time, Gal 4:4-5
(Gal 4:4-5 NIV) But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, {5} to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
III. The Heavenly Chorus, Luke 2:8-14
(Luke 2:8-14 NIV) 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." {13} Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, {14} "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
A. The Audience: Shepherds in the field doing their jobs.
B. The Angel of the Lord
1. Appeared in the light of the glory of the Lord
2. Terrified the shepherds by the sight
3. Announced the birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord
4. Accompanied by a choir of angels proclaiming glory to God and peace to those who receive God's grace
But to those who do not partake of God's gracious gift of this newborn Savior, there will be no other Savior.
(Acts 4:12 NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
IV. The Heightened Curiosity, Luke 2:15-16
(Luke 2:15-16 NIV) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." {16} So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
A. Curiosity Sent the Shepherds Seeking the Savior
B. Seeking Brought Them Confirmation of Good News
V. The Happy Communication, Luke 2:17-20
(Luke 2:17-20 NIV) When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, {18} and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. {19} But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. {20} The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The Appropriate Response to Receiving the Good News:
A. Spread the Word
B. Speak the Truth
Excerpt from "Why a Manger," by Bodie and Brock Thoene
Ask anyone who celebrates Christmas where the Christ-child was born, and most will name Bethlehem. Carols like "0 Little Town of Bethlehem" memorialize its fame.
Many could also explain why dusty, insignificant Bethlehem was chosen for such an important event. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means "House of Bread." It was prophesied that Messiah, "the Bread sent down from heaven to feed the souls of mankind," would be a descendent of King David. He would also be born in the same city where David, the shepherd-king of Israel, was born - Bethlehem!
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 -Micah 5:2
The bawling of sheep rang across the fields of Bethlehem. Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock, was the place where lambs destined for the Temple were born and raised. Every firstborn male lamb from the area around Bethlehem was considered holy, set aside for sacrifice in Jerusalem. Generations of hereditary shepherds tended the sacred flocks. They were common folk, used to many cold, lonely nights in the fields. As protectors of the sheep, they risked their lives to keep the animals from going astray ... and falling into the many ravines of the hill country.
After pouring their lives out into their flocks, the shepherds would separate the lambs, choosing only the perfect firstborn males to drive to Jerusalem. There the lambs would be purchased by those who wished to atone for their sins. On the same mountain where Abraham had offered his son to the Lord, the lambs would shed their blood and lose their lives as that atonement. It was an endless cycle.
When Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me, with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
Then I said, `Here I am-it is written about me in the scroll- I have come to do your will, 0 God."' -Hebrews 10:5-7
John the Baptist called Jesus not only the "Son of God" (John 1:34) but also the "Lamb of God" (John 1:36).
The Firstborn Lamb of God would sacrifice his life to atone for the sins of all - a one-time perfect sacrifice, offered by the Father God Himself.
Where else would "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29) have to be born if not Bethlehem, among the sacred Temple flocks?
But the way in which the Lamb would arrive remained a mystery to be solved.There had been so many years of longing for the Messiah to come and avenge the wrongs of a depraved world.
So many years of hoping for the fall of evil rulers ... and the revealing of the One who would be King forever. So many years of waiting in expectant hope ... and never seeing an answer.
Yet when Messiah did come, who in all Israel knew it? Only a handful were aware of the miracle, and most of them were common folk - the humble shepherds of Bethlehem.
Why would Messiah choose to arrive in such an out-of-way place as Bethlehem? And why would the shepherds be the first to greet him? Even this was in God's eternal plan.
"I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the Lord. "The days are coming... when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land." Jeremiah 23:4-5
The greatest King of all would arrive in Little Bethlehem, the City of David, the city of shepherds. The place where sacrificial lambs were born and raised. He was placed in a manger. What did that sign mean to the shepherds? What does it mean to you today?
