Seeking Jesus This Christmas- Day 12: Dec 12 | Shepherds, Humble Evangelists

Read: Luke 2:8-20

Key Verse: “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’” (Luke 2:15)

Who did God choose to be the first to hear about Jesus’ birth? The chief priests or religious leaders of the day? The kings or rulers of the land? No, God chose shepherds out in the fields around Bethlehem.

Why shepherds? The Old Testament highlights several shepherds among Christianity’s past, including Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rachel, Moses, David, Job, and Amos – just to name a few. So I guess it’s not too strange. But again, why these shepherds? We don’t know who they were by name, or even how many there were. And while shepherds weren’t highly regarded in Jesus’ day, it's clear that God saw them as important. Here’s what we do know:
● They were the first to be told; they were busy doing what they always do.
● They saw and heard the angel of the Lord; they were afraid at first.
● They saw and heard the host of angels praising God.
● They believed the angel of the Lord and went to see Jesus – with haste.
● They were the first evangelists; they saw Jesus long before the Wise Men. 

Although we know very little about these shepherds, it’s possible those near Bethlehem may have been taking care of the temple flocks, the sheep meant for sacrifice. There could be a symbolic reason as Jesus, the ultimate Lamb, would be sacrificed for the sins of the world. But Scripture paints a more practical picture as well. Shepherds had the capacity to be humbled and amazed that God chose them to hear the news.

Because they were connected to Bethlehem they probably knew everyone and were familiar with the community. And because of that humility, because of their amazement, they couldn’t keep it to themselves. After they had seen the baby Savior, they “spread the word” concerning what they knew. They weren’t worried about what others thought of them. They didn’t overthink the situation and talk themselves out of telling the news. They were exuberant, overflowing with joy, and probably still reflecting a bit of the glory of being with Jesus.

God in His infinite wisdom chose just the right group of people to entrust the greatest news of eternity. Those humble men took the good news of Jesus and did just what God wanted them to do – told others, and the world was never the same.

Pray: Father God, today we rejoice with the shepherds in the good news of Jesus’ birth. Help us to set aside any traditions that have become commonplace and help us again to explore the amazement of Jesus’ birth. Thank you for sending a Savior for us. Give us the shepherds’ passion to spend our lives sharing this news.