The Shepherds Shepherd
Luke 2:8-20 Rev. R. B. Hughes
INTRODUCTION
- Fitting this morning we look at the lower places of human society and see both people and God.
Shepherds are popular parts in the Christmas dramas around the world.
- This particular society shepherds were considered “lowly” loners. Even though the greatest Israel King was once a shepherd and God is refered to as the “Shepherd of Israel.
- Lots of sheep .. Job had 14,000 (42:12) Solomon sacrificed in the temple 120,000 sheep all at one sacrifice (1Kings 8:63)
- Youngest often left to tend sheep.
This group we will briefly look at this morning were “professional” shepherds ... Many suggest they were tending sheep for sacrifice in the Temple. Quite possibly true. Historical documents (Mishna/Talmud) tell us that the sheep for sacrifice were tended in the fields of Bethlehem.
A Millennium earlier David kept his fathers sheep in the same pastures
This morning we will learn a little about shepherding but more importantly we will learn how the shepherds responded to the Chief Shepherd and we can in turn do the same.
EXPOSITION Luke 2:8-20
Verse 8
- In the same country as what? ... Vs. 6,7
Let me pull a few applications out of their shepherding.
· “Living in the fields” – Complete commitment. Not part time.
· “Keeping watch” – Both same Gk. root, system plan of watch. Concern for the good and the bad to look for.
· “by night” – Faithful, no one watching ... Dark hours. Can’t see.
· “their flocks” – Ownership, responsibility.
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I SHALL NOT WANT. (Apply these principles)
Well, these shepherds, lowly and faithful ... quiet night ... cool breeze ... same old ..
Verse 9
- KJV ...”lo” ... Is better BEHOLD!!
- BOOM ... Shepherds are the brave silent type ... tackle the wolf or the bear or the rustler ... BUT just can’t appreciate BOOM. Quiet, rustle of the wolf ...
But BOOM ... You can give a shepherd a heart attack with a boom!!
Boom: Three things:
- “Angel stood before them”
- “Glory of the Lord shone around them”
- BOOM – they were surrounded! No mistake.
They were “greatly/sore afraid.”
Verse 10-12
- The initial response was negative.
- It had come to this. God arrives with good news and man is afraid.
- 400 years of silence.
There is a good fear and bad fear. (Good fear of respect, knowledge of greatness ..)
· Fear that alienates you from God (God is mad, harsh, unyielding ..)
· Fear of what you lose to serve God .. Enemy of God – happiness?
The shepherds had the negative fear.
- Response the angel immediately deals with.
- “Do not be afraid.”
- Main cause of fear is the unknown
Why, do not be afraid? (The rest is laden with fruit ... pregnant with life)
1. “Good tidings of GREAT joy” ... Good news from God!! Immeasurable joy.
2. ‘to ALL people” ... Universal in scope! No one left out.
3. “Born to YOU” ... Personal in application. ... A gift!
4. “A Savior” .... Meets the need.
ILL/ Gift for Christmas ... As you get older you ask for something I need is ... Not just want.
The gift of a Savior. ......
Great but I need BIG saving!!
5. “Who is Christ the Lord” ... Credentials.
- There is no Gospel if Jesus is not God.
If theology would exclude that Christ is God, it would remain the greatest poetry.
The world would enshrine it, dream it, embrace it ...
BUT CHRIST IS GOD.
- Not wanting to be enshrined or dreamt about .
- God wants to embrace us!!
The world needs saving and the only One up to the task is God!
Good News – For All – For You – A Savior – Christ the Lord.
One is born who if He does not save His life will be in vain.
6. “A sign to you ..” (Don’t ask for signs .. if you need one God will give it)
- The angels intended the shepherds to go see .. “you will find”
- A parade? Welcome of the kings of the earth? Heavens opened for all to see?
- A babe wrapped lying in a manger.
A manger? Animals eating trough.
- The shepherds were “wrapped” in glory.
- The Savior in strips of cloth ... lying, helpless in a manger.
The manger ... Now the Holy of Holies. UNCLEAN place .. NOW Holy of Holies.
WHEREVER HE DWELLS BECOMES THE HOLY OF HOLIES.
- Does He dwell in you today?
- We are an unclean place until we welcome Him to dwell within.
The barn, Manger ... Approachable to all except the proud unless they humble themselves.
Shepherds ... WE would feel comfortable approaching a stable.
GOD HAS MADE HIMSELF APPROACHABLE. GOD OUT OF THE GARDEN AND DWELLING AMONG US.
Verses 13,14
- And as if no longer able to contain themselves the rest of the angels burst into the human dimension.
The first Christmas Carol.
- Theology was great in it. Truth from heaven to earth.
Glory to God ... Peace on earth ... good will toward mankind.
- “TOWARD” ...coming from God.
- Peace between God and man!! True peace. (Pax Romana 27 BC)
Like an Alien greeting .... We come in peace ... GOD COMES IN PEACE!!
Verse 15
- The dispersal of the angels does not seem to be as sudden as their arrival.
The shepherds acted in faith NOT speculation.
· Not to see if this is true ..
· Faith in His Word as DONE!
· You never want to go to Jesus alone! LET US GO!
· UNHOLY FEAR PARALYZES; HOLY FEAR LEADS TO ACTION.
Verse 16
- They hurried!!. Shepherds best quality was PATIENCE ..Yet...
After reading this verse you cannot feel sorry for Jesus.
- Father, Mother, Rest, Warmth, Love ....
- Many hardships and poor times are mad rich by loving parents.
Verse 17.
- When they saw Him (Not Mary or Joseph) .....Personal Experience....
Message of Christmas is vital and true but you must experience it yourself.
When You Experience It:
- V.17... You become givers the good news rather then just receivers!
- You share YOUR story!!
Verse 19
- Don’t miss this important message amid the hoopla of Christmas.
- Ponder, think upon, and cherish the truth of the Christmas hour.
Verse 20
- They did this for 33 years until Jesus became the final sacrificial lamb.
- The shepherds were given a 33-year layoff notice.
LET THIS BE OUR THEME VERSE FOR THIS CHRISTMAS
- Praise and glorify God at home and workplace.
- V.20...Becomes worshippers rather then just wonderers!
