Luke 2:8-20
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 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.”
15 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. 17 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.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd...He would be the Shepherd of Israel...And God in His wisdom wanted the common shepherd in the field to see His Son...The shepherds living out in the fields would be receptive to God...The shepherds lived with their sheep...Some of society thought that the shepherds were down on the list in social class...Maybe they were unclean by the Law of Moses...Maybe the shepherds were to be the first to see the Messiah, because they were unclean and were sinners...Jesus is a King and a Christ for everyone...
In life, we seem to gravitate and look for the rich, the famous, the celebrity...Many like to read about celebrity figures...It is not natural for us to want to be with those like the shepherds...Our Great LORD in His wisdom tells us that the first will be last and the last will be first...Jesus teaches us that none in His flock will be overlooked...Jesus will show us as He grows and teaches that the poor, the suffering, those last in line and serving others would be first in His kingdom...