Shepherds & Angels

Shepherds were considered untrustworthy, and their work made them ceremonially unclean.

The most obvious implication is that the gospel first came to the social outcasts of Jesus’ day. This would accord with a recurring emphasis in Luke’s gospel.

Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. {watch: or, the night watches}

Lord’s instructions to Nathan about David, that he was called from the shepherd’s life. To become Messiah’s ancestor (2 Samuel 7:8).

Judea area

Shepherds = Luke’s Gospel is of the poor and lowly. A revelation to the shepherds acquires additional meaning as we remember that shepherds, as a class, were under the Rabbinic ban, because of their necessary isolation from religious ordinances, and their manner of life, which rendered strict legal observance almost impossible.

The shepherds of Luke 2 may, therefore, symbolize all the ordinary people who have joyfully received the gospel and have become in various ways pastors to others. They went forth rejoicing and told everyone what they saw.

Do not despise the day of small or humble beginnings.

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Angel of the Lord= Ministering spirits came to give an important message to God people. Heirs to salvation. (Hebrews 1:14).

Startled, afraid, dismayed,

The angel of the Lord came upon them- to deliver a message from God!

The Glory of the Lord shone round about them- this is that pure radiant light around God’s heavenly abode.

 Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.-  Joy, peace,   and happiness to everyone. One time opportunity.  That’s what Jesus brings into your life.

The Sign

 Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Bethlehem of Judea

A Saviour, which is Jesus Christ the Lord. God only son! He came to seek and to save that which was lost.     Are you lost today? You can be found, and have your name written in the book of life today.

 Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

A sign unto you – Given to you by a Holy God who loves you.

Swaddling clothes -spar-gan-o’-o Greek word meaning to strap or wrap with strips of cloth. Note they would have wrapped the body in his body in death too.

Lying in a manger- food trough for animals. The deeper message hear is as the animals come to the food trough to be fed, and You and I go to Jesus for our spiritual food -God’s word. The difference is we go for spiritual food, they go for physical food.

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

A multitude of the heavenly host praising God– An army celebrating Peace Joy, and happiness!

Prophecy fulfilled, hope has appeared, and their Messiah has arrived.

Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Celebration going on in heaven and in earth!  Amen!

The “glory to God,” which the new-born “Saviour” was to bring to earth. (God creation)

The “peace on earth,” In which He was to become  “the Prince of peace ”

(Isaiah 9:6)

Let us see for ourselves.

 Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. {the shepherds: Gr. the men the shepherds}

Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass- A little doubting maybe? Seeing is believing attitude. Investigating the truth of the message.

Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 They came with haste- since of urgency. Did not want to miss out on it.

Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

They made known abroad-They went forth Spreading this gospel message world wide. Their testimony. Abroad =Not home, overseas.

The Shepherds were considered untrustworthy, and their work made them ceremonially unclean.  We find God consider them trustworthy and clean to receive the message from the Angels and to become the first evangelist spreading the Gospel message of what they were told and saw.  God took outcasts and made them witnesses some even possibly pastors… Only our Holy God can do this for us. Make a sinner whole again! Make the unsaved saved.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.