The Shepherds – the First to See Baby Jesus
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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. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)
Who were the first to see baby Jesus?
Who would you tell first? It’s the most amazing event in your whole life, in the entire universe! Would you tell your spouse or best friend first or would you post it on social media? Would you celebrate with a random person nearby or the most important person in your life? With whom would you share the good news?
God chose the shepherds (after Mary and Joseph, of course). Only society’s bottom tier heard directly from God’s angel. Shepherds were the youngest or weakest of the family, the crippled, those incapable of other jobs. They lived in the field, perhaps in community with other shepherds. The field was their home which reminds me of those sleeping on the streets, those discarded by society.
Why did God choose these men of low status as the first to see baby Jesus? Why were they his special, most honored ones? They certainly welcomed and spread the good news, but did the town’s people believe? Would we believe?
God hand-selected the shepherds to receive the angelic birth announcement. How does this affect our view of those at the low end of society? (tweet this)
God always favors the least, the last, and the lost. How are we showing similar honor?
But perhaps there’s a second reason God chose the shepherds. The lambs used for Temple sacrifices were born and raised outside of Bethlehem. Let’s connect the dots. These shepherds were the first to see nearly every lamb sacrificed in the Temple. How appropriate that they would be the first to see God’s sacrificial lamb!
#SeedsofScripture #Advent #lambofGod #Jesusiscoming #Christmas #leastlastlost #goodnews
At this darkest time of the year, you might be encouraged by the Light in the world:
A Light in Our Darkness
Shine Your Light on the Darkest Day
Light a Candle for Hope
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
Have always thought, the angels announced to those shepherds the news of the arrival of the unblemished lamb of God; spotless, blameless, and one of their own, destined to shepherd the world. While I don’t equate the shepherd of that day, with the vagrants and “street people of today, I do join with in that all are deserving of dignity and respect as human beings; something Christ demonstrated by the way He lived His human life.
Merry CHRISTmas my dear friend.
I just read that sacrificial lambs were placed in the stone manger to keep them unblemished. The shepherds would certainly understand the meaning of this! God is incredible!