I guess I’m still a kid at heart or maybe it’s just because of what I’ve read about sheep and shepherds in the Bible, but I love to watch sheep grazing in a field.
In biblical times sheep were a valuable commodity because they provided wool, meat and milk. The ram's horns were used to make special "trumpets" (Leviticus 25:9) or as containers for oil.
The shepherd's responsibilities were, of course, to care for the sheep, to provide pasture for them, and to protect them from wild animals. The shepherd usually carried with him a heavy club (approximately 18 inches in length) that was studded with sharp stones used to ward off any predators (Psalm 23:4), as well as a sling to be used for throwing stones at wild animals. He also carried a shepherd's staff (approximately six feet in length) that sometimes had a hook on one end. He used this staff to aid his own walking on rough terrain and to control/guide his sheep, when necessary (Ezekiel 20:37-38). Because the sheep were valuable and were committed into the care of the shepherd, he would go searching if even one of them wandered away from the flock (Luke 15:3-7).
Two other smaller items were also usually in the shepherd’s possession: a small leather bag, called a script, for carrying his food and (sometimes) a reed pipe that he would play while tending the flock.
Following the rains of winter there would be plenty of grass where the sheep could graze in the fields of the nearby towns, but with the heat of summer, the shepherds had to lead their flocks into greener pastures (1 Chronicles 4:39-40). Any field where the sheep were taken had to have a well or a slow-moving stream where the shepherd could water the flock.
Nighttime was one of the most dangerous times for the sheep and the shepherd had to find shelter for their safety. This could be in a cave where he would sleep in the doorway to prevent wild animals from attacking them (John 10:7). Or, it could be in a rough stone or brushwood enclosure that was built in the pasture field. When the flock was close to town the shepherds used stone sheepfolds that had a small shelter nearby where the shepherds would stay.
As you can imagine, the shepherd spent a lot of time with the sheep and knew each of them by name (John 10:14). At the end of the summer season the sheep were sheared and a celebration enjoyed.
Shepherding wasn't necessarily an admired profession to some. In Genesis 46:34 they were considered "an abomination" to the Egyptians. Being a shepherd was viewed at times as being a punishment, though it was not always that way.
And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. (Numbers 14:33)
William Barclay writes about people's general attitudes towards shepherds at this time in history.
"Shepherds were despised by the orthodox good people of the day. They were quite unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law; they could not observe all the meticulous handwashings and rules and regulations. Their flocks made constant demands on them; and so the orthodox looked down on them. It was to simple men of the fields that God’s message first came." (William Barclay, The Gospel of Luke, Location 812 on my Kindle)
They were not well paid, transient and not always trusted individuals...that begs the question: Why Shepherds?
Author Warren Wiersbe writes, “The first announcement of the Messiah’s birth was given by an angel to some anonymous shepherds. Why shepherds? Why not to priests or scribes?” (Wiersbe, W. W. [1996]. The Bible exposition commentary [Lk 2:1]. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)
Those are good questions to which we can offer some suggested answers:
1. Maybe it’s that God delights in doing the unexpected.
“‘Suddenly’ (exaiphnēs), along with cognate words, often describes the unexpected nature of God’s acts, especially the eschatological events. Malachi had predicted the sudden coming of the Lord to his temple (Mal 3:1). Now the angels suddenly announce his arrival at Bethlehem. The Spirit’s coming at Pentecost was sudden (Acts 2:2), as was the appearance of the Lord to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3). Mark 13:36 and 1 Thessalonians 5:3 describe the suddenness of future events.” (Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) (846). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
The scripture is filled with stories where God does the unexpected, but none more striking than those stories surrounding the birth of the Christ child.
- Who would have expected that Bethlehem, a little obscure town of insignificance, would be the birthplace of the Messiah of Israel?
- Who could have imagined that the One Who owned it all would be born into relative poverty, in an animal stall and laid in a feed trough?
- Who could comprehend that the “fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9) would dwell in the smallest of infants born that first Christmas morn?
- Who would have expected that Easterners would come to worship the Jewish King, especially when He was only a “young child” (cf. Matthew 2:9-11)?
- Who would have believed that by studying the stars and the planets that these men could have been led miraculously to the exact place He was living?
- And, who would have expected that such an important announcement would be made to lowly shepherds?
Everything about the story demonstrates the unexpected, but that’s how God often chooses to work. And, it’s part of the proof that the story is authentic...
Jewish Scholar, Alfred Edersheim wrote: “[The circumstances Luke records is] the strongest indirect evidence of the truth of this narrative...Would Jewish legend have ever presented its Messiah as born in a stable, to which chance circumstances had consigned His mother? The whole current of Jewish opinion would run in the contrary direction...Further, it may safely be asserted, that no Apocryphal or legendary narrative of such a (legendary) event would have been characterised by such scantiness, or rather absence, of details. For, the two essential features...are, that they ever seek to surround their heroes with a halo of glory, and that they attempt to supply details, which are otherwise wanting. And in both these respects a more sharply-marked contrast could scarcely be presented, than in the Gospel-narrative.” (Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of the Messiah, saved in Evernote)
2. Maybe it’s that only an outdoor setting could host the angels.
Dr. Lenski writes, “A πλῆθος [“multitude”] is a great number, and this host is part of the heavenly army, which is so vast as to be able to send out hosts. Thousands of angels appeared and filled the expanse of the sky. All this, indeed, for only a handful of poor shepherds! It is the way of God.” (Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel (133). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.)
Maybe this is too far fetched for some people to consider, but a number this great could have never squeezed into any first-century (or twenty-first century) building, temple, house or cathedral. Only the open skies where the shepherds were “living” could have handled so great a company of the Heavenly host.
If you can, imagine what it might have been like that night. Several of the shepherds whose duty it was to keep watch over the flock were tending the sheep when “suddenly” they are startled by an angelic being telling them of the Savior’s birth (2:8-12). Then, without warning, it’s as if the rest of the stage lights were suddenly turned on and they could see an innumerable host of angels, as far as the eye could see, blanketing the heavens above them all joining their voices in chanting, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Only a midnight, Middle Eastern sky could have set such a grand stage for so dramatic a cast that is too innumerable for any man to number. And, only these shepherds were apparently able to see or hear the announcement and praise from this host of angels! What a privilege was afforded them on that night of miracles!
3. Maybe it’s that His birth demonstrated the reach of His love.
With this announcement to the shepherds there’s no mistaking the fact that Jesus came for ordinary, common people like you and me...not just the aristocratic and powerful. His birth among the animals and being laid in a “feeding trough” all demonstrate Him stooping to the lowest among us. Even Joseph and Mary’s offering at the Temple days after the birth of Jesus showed their apparent poverty and humility (Luke 2:22-24). Jesus could have arrived to the fanfare of royalty, but He made Himself poor so that we might be made rich through Him (2 Corinthians 8:9; cf. Isaiah 61:1-3).
As the refrain of a famous song says,
Out of the ivory palaces,
Into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love
Made my Savior go.
Illustration:
According to an Associated Press article, on November 27, 2002, a man in Putney, KY, by the name of Michael Braithwaite owned a sex shop where he sold various types of associated paraphernalia. The article states, “but he now sells Bibles after he underwent a religious conversion a month ago during a prayer meeting and was baptized a few days later.” He dropped the old name of the store, “Love World” and renamed it “Mike’s Place.” He painted the walls with a fresh coat of white paint and burned $10,000 worth of materials he use to sell. Some of his former customers were shocked when they walked into the building to find a shelf of Bibles where other types of items had been previously sold. When he was asked about this complete change, he said, “When the Lord gets a hold of you, you make some changes.” The evangelist said, “This shows that the Lord loves and wants to save everybody, even the man who runs the adult novelty store."
However, we must not forget that His birth was also announced to the Magi that traveled a great distance to visit Him and bring Him gifts. These men were cultured, respected, wealthy Gentiles and Jesus came for them, too.
Actually, Jesus came for all mankind and offers to us all the same forgiveness and eternal life. There are no exclusions! No one is too far down that Jesus can’t lift him up and no one is too high up that he doesn’t need His grace and forgiveness.
4. Maybe it’s that “The Lamb” was born that night.
To whom else would you make an announcement about the birth of a lamb? These men would have been present many times for events of this nature, but this time, “The Lamb” was like no other they had ever seen born. This Lamb was “the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (2:11)
William Barclay says about these shepherds, “...in the Temple, morning and evening, an unblemished lamb was offered as a sacrifice to God. To see that the supply of perfect offerings was always available the Temple authorities had their own private sheep flocks; and we know that these flocks were pastured near Bethlehem. It is most likely that these shepherds were in charge of the flocks from which the Temple offerings were chosen. It is a lovely thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (William Barclay, The Gospel of Luke, Location 815 on my Kindle)
It seems that the very nature of Christ Himself as “The Lamb of God” demands that it be made to shepherds, especially since these shepherds were watching over the flocks that were to be used as sacrificial lambs in the Temple.
5. Maybe it’s that these men alone were ready to receive the message.
If you remember, it’s said about David that he was “a man after [God’s] own heart.” (Acts 13:22) Where did David develop his “heart” for God? It was during the days and nights when he was working in the fields watching his father’s sheep. The magnificence of some of his Psalms can only be explained as you consider the opportunities afforded him to look up into the skies and ponder the greatness of His God (cf. Psalm 19). Or, consider God’s loving care as he watched his father’s sheep (cf. Psalm 23).
Very few were even looking for the coming Messiah or pondering the greatness of their God. But, maybe these shepherds were like David and had developed a sensitivity to God. After all, Jesus said that His secrets were hidden from the “wise and prudent,” but were revealed to “babes.” (Matthew 11:25)
If you read between the lines you may find that these men were spiritually prepared to receive a message that others weren’t ready to receive.
Conclusion:
Whatever the specific reason, God chose to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds rather than Priests, Rabbis, Scribes or the aristocracy of the day. It’s not that uncommon for God to choose “the foolish things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:27)
The fact is that God wants each of us to see His Son this Christmas season. The Son that would change the world forever!
Illustration:
The year was 1809. The international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria; blood was flowing freely. Nobody even thought about babies being born. But the world was overlooking some terribly significant births.
For example, William Gladstone was born that year. He was destined to become one of England's finest statesmen. That same year, Alfred Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would one day greatly affect the literary world in a marked manner. On the American continent, Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And not far away in Boston, Edgar Allan Poe began his eventful, albeit tragic, life. And that same year produced the cries of a newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. The baby's name? Abraham Lincoln. It was also that same year that a physician named Darwin and his wife named their child Charles Robert Darwin.
If there had been news broadcasts at the time, it’s likely that the headline stories would have said: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America.
2000 years ago everyone thought taxation was the big news--when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all: the birth of the Savior.
