Why the Shepherds?

Luke 2:1-21

Today we read the most familiar of the Christmas accounts.  Do you ever wonder why it was the shepherds who heard the angelic announcement and got to see Jesus first?  Why not the chief priests or elders, or maybe even the King himself?  I’m afraid these people were not ready to know about one who would be greater than them.  The chief priests and elders pride would get in the way of worshiping Him, and as for Herod, well we know Herod was threatened by his birth and ultimately sought to have him killed.  In the end it would seem the shepherds were the perfect group of people to be notified.  They were lowly and poor.  There was no glory in being a shepherd; just plain men dwelling in tents and watching over sheep.  The patriarchs were shepherds.  Moses and David were called from keeping sheep to lead and rule over God’s people.  Jesus came from the line of David, and so you can see the value overall God was placing on these lowly shepherds.  It’s like Jesus’ first message was already being proclaimed; that if you are to accept who Jesus is and what He had come to do, you first must humble yourself and accept your need of a Savior.  

Jesus is also our shepherd.  He guides us, watches over us, and leads us.  And so it seems fitting that the announcement of the Great Shepherd would be made to shepherds themselves.  Specifically these angels would proclaim to the shepherds “Glory to god in the highest, and on earth peace to whom His favor rests.”  Many were about to know true peace for the very first time.  So who did His favor rest on?  The answer is pretty simple.  To those who would receive Him.  To those who would humble themselves, open their hearts, and receive Him.  Not all would, and not all will.  John 1:11 tells us He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  A lot of those chief priests and elders were not going to receive Him.  Herod certainly didn’t receive him.  But the shepherds did.   And we can say on the shepherd’s behalf the words of John 1:12, to those who received Him and believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God.  Those lowly humble shepherds received Him.  That’s pretty obvious when we look at verse 20.  It says they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.  You might even call these shepherds the very first followers of Jesus.  And people have been following Him ever since, from generation to generation.  And it’s our privilege to do the same.  Receive Jesus, believe in who He is as Savior and Lord, and follow him.

Prayer

Dear God we thank you for the wonderful example of the shepherds.  Help us to humbly follow in their footsteps seeking You our Good Shepherd.

Notes

In case anyone is wondering I don't plan to write a post every day on this blog forever. My plan for Lent is to write this ongoing devotional every day but Sunday.  After Lent I'll settle into more of a once a week thing.  Hope and pray you are enjoying it.