Why The Shepherds

Luke 1:8 And there were in the same country Shepherds abiding in their field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord, 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.

Though He was born in Bethlehem just under the shadow of the Cathedral the Angel declaring His birth was sent to the hill country to make the great announcement, The Messiah has come, He is here on earth now! The greatest event of all time, the greatest message of all time was bypassing the scholars of the synagogue, but why? Why was this message bypassing all the rich scholarly learned teachers and being carried to those lonely shepherds out in the hill country? Why was it bypassing all the great scribes and speakers of that day? Why did this Angel, carrying the greatest and most astounding message of all time, bypass what seemed to be all the noble men and go to the nobodies? Although those in the Cathedral were learned in the script and were waiting for the Messiah the message was carried out into the hills to those lonely shepherds. They were herdsmen, common people and the common people were considered to be the poor people! These shepherds were definitely not conference or seminar speakers. They were not trained to speak before vast audiences! They did not have to know mathematics or science lab chemistry. All those shepherds had to know was their little sheep and that’s the way He came! The message was carried to the most unlikely place to the most unlikely people, common herdsmen. These shepherds were hearing the message brought down from heaven by angels, the message of a New Born Lamb. John said, “Behold The Lamb of God Which Taketh Away The Sin of The World.” John saw Him on Patmos as a Slain Lamb, the Sacrificial Lamb. Yes, Angels coming down from heaven to these common herdsmen! A multitude of heavenly host were singing to these herdsmen while the angel declared the message, The Messiah Is Now on Earth. Redemption has always been recognized in Shepherds and Sheep. Just look at the Prophets of old who were shepherds! Look at Jacob! Look at David! Look at Moses going into Egypt carrying his shepherd’s staff! With that same staff, Moses, did not only lead Israel out of bondage, he also used it in bringing judgement upon Egypt! When those shepherds arrived at that stable they were right in their own environment! They were at a place where they could feel right at home! The scholars couldn’t have come without their tablets, pens and I-pads! It would have all been too simple for the theologian to grasp! Those humble shepherds were enjoying Emmanuel in a humble stable! Christ’s first congregation was common, poor sheep-men and they were the first to hear the singing of angels on earth! The wise men saw His star in the east and they followed it from city to city and yet no one else saw it but them. We have often seen history repeating itself. Could it be, the same thing being repeated today?  Could it be, the message of this hour is being carried to the most unlikely groups? As I leave you with this word, please do not misunderstand me and think I am spiritualizing the Word: He is here with us now in the power of The Holy Spirit! He, The Great I Am, is with us right now in the power of His Word! Therefore, we will say as those common shepherds, We Shall See That Which He Hath Made Known to Us! Blessings to You To Beyond Measure, In Jesus Mighty Name!                         

Brother Gene Wiseman 12/1/22