Why The Shepherds?
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Because (a) the simple (and presumably godly) shepherds would not doubt that the babe in the manger was the Messiah, the King of the Jews -- indeed the Savior who is Christ the Lord -- and therefore spread the Good News to others, and (b) possibly because the Great Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd was lying there in swaddling clothes among the sheep.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (Lk 2:16-18)
So these shepherds told many people exactly what they had been told by the angel. They were the first evangelists.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (Lk 2:16-18)
So these shepherds told many people exactly what they had been told by the angel. They were the first evangelists.
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Indeed they were!
• Luke 2:16-18 . . So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the
baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread
the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
The hearers were entertained but apparently not persuaded because to my
knowledge none of them went to see for themselves-- that was not the best
reaction.
• Acts 13:41 . . Look on, you mockers, be amazed and perish. For I am
doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe no
matter who tells you about it.
_
Indeed they were!
• Luke 2:16-18 . . So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the
baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread
the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who
heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
The hearers were entertained but apparently not persuaded because to my
knowledge none of them went to see for themselves-- that was not the best
reaction.
• Acts 13:41 . . Look on, you mockers, be amazed and perish. For I am
doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe no
matter who tells you about it.
_
I have also thought about this ... so interesting.
The wise men also received the "birth announcement" and travelled to see Jesus as well, although the shepherds received the "personal" announcement from the angels and saw Him so shortly after His birth ... still wrapped in swaddling clothes.
One commentary I read indicated that the shepherds tended the flocks of sheep which were destined for sacrifice in the temple ... that these were shepherds who were specifically trained in the requirements for an animal that was to be sacrificed, and they were responsible for making sure that none of the animals were hurt, damaged, or blemished ... so the angels announcing to shepherds watching the flocks destined for sacrifice is very interesting. God blessed them in announcing to them the birth of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
The wise men also received the "birth announcement" and travelled to see Jesus as well, although the shepherds received the "personal" announcement from the angels and saw Him so shortly after His birth ... still wrapped in swaddling clothes.
One commentary I read indicated that the shepherds tended the flocks of sheep which were destined for sacrifice in the temple ... that these were shepherds who were specifically trained in the requirements for an animal that was to be sacrificed, and they were responsible for making sure that none of the animals were hurt, damaged, or blemished ... so the angels announcing to shepherds watching the flocks destined for sacrifice is very interesting. God blessed them in announcing to them the birth of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.
Well, there is this...
Isaiah 52:7 (KJV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Nahum 1:15 (KJV) Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
But yeah, they are more like prophecies.
Isaiah 52:7 (KJV) How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Nahum 1:15 (KJV) Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
But yeah, they are more like prophecies.
1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (KJV) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
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• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying
out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel
of The Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone
around them; and they were terribly frightened.
. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you
good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the
city of David there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.
Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent
danger of death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it;
e.g. Red Cross, Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain
units, and the Coast Guard and National Guard.
Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until
they first proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those
agencies work on the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would
end up thrown back to the wolves.
I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort
of probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he
grants them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to
satisfy the conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.
Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's
heads by a slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare
the angel of Luke 2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great
joy" if probation were actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.
On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the
wrath of God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal
emergency services; then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of
Christ is something to get excited about.
_
• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying
out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel
of The Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone
around them; and they were terribly frightened.
. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you
good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the
city of David there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.
Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent
danger of death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it;
e.g. Red Cross, Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain
units, and the Coast Guard and National Guard.
Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until
they first proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those
agencies work on the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would
end up thrown back to the wolves.
I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort
of probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he
grants them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to
satisfy the conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.
Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's
heads by a slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare
the angel of Luke 2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great
joy" if probation were actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.
On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the
wrath of God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal
emergency services; then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of
Christ is something to get excited about.
_
God chose the shepherds because they were common ordinary people, like you and me. Except for Matthew and Paul, Jesus chosen Apostles were common men, fishermen. They were probably products of little or no education. In Jesus time, the elite of the Jewish power, the rich, the Pharisees, the Scribes, the Jewish Royality (Herod and the High Priests) would have nothing to do with Jesus. In Scripture, over and over God rejects the proud and powerful while accepting the meek and humble:
Proverbs 3:34 34He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Matthew 23:12 12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
James 4:6 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
Luke 14:11 11For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
So, that's why God announced the birth of His Son to the lowly shepherds. And keep in mind that the most powerful/rich/proud of the Jews, their leader King Herod, was seeking Jesus, sending His soldiers to kill Him. But the lowly shepherds came to see and worship Him.
The world turned upside down.
Proverbs 3:34 34He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
Matthew 23:12 12For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
James 4:6 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
Luke 14:11 11For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
So, that's why God announced the birth of His Son to the lowly shepherds. And keep in mind that the most powerful/rich/proud of the Jews, their leader King Herod, was seeking Jesus, sending His soldiers to kill Him. But the lowly shepherds came to see and worship Him.
The world turned upside down.