Monday, December 19, 2022

            Luke 2:8-9 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”  The shepherds were part of the Christmas story and are generally part of any nativity scene or Christmas pageant.  In the first century in Israel, shepherds were held in extremely low regard.  They occupied a place at the bottom of society’s class or pecking order.  Generally, only lepers were below the shepherds in class standing.  The fact that God would break the news of His Son’s birth to shepherds is extraordinary—a feat that we might not fully recognize or appreciate today or ever.  Because they spent most of their time with animals, shepherds were not allowed in the Temple areas.  They usually worked on the Sabbath and were regarded as ritually unclean 24/7.  Few people, if any, would have placed a bet on shepherds’ first hearing the good news of the Messiah’s birth.
            We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem so the Christmas shepherds were in that area of Israel when they heard the good news.  Bethlehem was not far from Jerusalem where worship and sacrifices routinely took place at the Temple.  Over time, a rule or law was established that decreed Bethlehem was to be the holding place or the store house for animals that were destined to be sacrificed for the sins of the people.  Thousands of sheep were slaughtered every year as offerings, atonement and sacrifices for the sins of the people.  Isn’t it amazing that the LAMB, Jesus, would be born in a town known as a holding place or dwelling place for animals who were destined or bound to end up as sacrifices and offerings for sin and disobedience?
            Consider what happened in Bethlehem—the LAMB of God, or Jesus, was born to pay the price for sin’s penalty.  It made perfect practical and theological sense that the greatest sacrifice of all—the very Son of God—would be born in a place known for supplying sheep for sacrifice.  It also makes sense that God would announce the birth of the perfect LAMB to shepherds who knew all there was to know about sheep, sacrifices and the way to Jerusalem from Bethlehem.  God announced the birth of His sacrificial LAMB and Son to men who were responsible for keeping watch over the supply of sheep bound for sacrifice. The angel of the LORD appeared to the men in this field who were discarded as sinful, unclean and separated from fellowship with God.  The Christmas angel announced to these shepherds that the final and ultimate Passover Lamb had been born at last and that His perfect and innocent blood would cleanse sinners and bring those same sinners into intimate fellowship with God.  Only God could do this!
            These shepherds were the first to hear that God was making things right once again.  In a field and village full of sheep, at last, the perfect LAMB had been born.  And God declared this news not to the Roman Emperor or any of the High Priests but to the humble and lowly shepherds who knew all the details about sheep, sacrifices and the way to the Temple from Bethlehem.  Just as the way to the Father was open at last to everyone—including shepherds, the way to the Father is open to us now.  Jesus, the LAMB of God, is the way, the truth and the life.  And maybe this Christmas, you are ready to walk with God in new ways and richer ways.  If you’re feeling a bit lowly or down, you can’t possibly be any lower than these Christmas shepherds were considered to be.  And God appeared to them in one scintillating and unmatched night.  Give thanks today that the good news of Christmas is for you too.  And the Lord is now open for you to receive and embrace.  Have a great Monday!  You can worship and re-watch our Christmas musical worship at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.