Shepherds
Shepherds had been the great heroes of the faith in the Bible. Abraham, the “father of the faithful,” was a shepherd. Moses, the great deliverer of the Old Testament was raised in Pharaoh’s palace, but God sent him into the wilderness for forty years before he was prepared to lead God’s people out of Egypt. And most of us remember the young man David, who was a shepherd who defeated the mighty warrior Goliath and became King of Israel. David wrote Psalm 23, giving us words to say: “The Lord is my sheperd …” But for hundreds of years, shepherds had been less than respected. Yet God changed all of that when His Son was born: the angels announced Jesus’ birth first to shepherds!
In my Heartlight.org post this week, The Smell of Sheep, I share some thoughts on these shepherds. I’d love to get your response to any or all of these questions:
What does the presence of the shepherds in the story of Jesus’ birth say to you?
What group of folks in the story of Jesus’ birth most closely characterizes you?
Why do you think Luke mentions shepherds and Matthew mentions the Magi in their accounts of Jesus’ early years?
Does it make any difference to your answer to know that Shepherds were considered “stinky hicks” that no one wanted around and Magi were foreigners who practiced a false religion?
Do you think Luke’s reminder of Jesus’ words inActs 1:8 and Matthew’s reminder of Jesus’ Great Commission inMatthew 28:18-20 has anything to do with us meeting shepherds and wise men in the story of Jesus’ birth?
How can we steal the real Jesus from the story of His life and substitute our own version of Jesus?
What could you point to in Jesus’ birth, and also His life, that would help you answer a person who said, “I’m not sure I’d fit with Jesus, I’m not very religious?”
What do you think Jesus would say to these folks?
What Scriptures could you point to that would help you speak about God’s true love for them?
I’d love to hear your response to these ideas!
Phil,
Great story! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas to all.
Teresa
Teresa
22 Dec 08 at 9:18 am
I never saw any of this in the story of Jesus’ birth, and I’ve read it a hundred times! I never looked at it that way! Jesus loves us, no matter what walk of life we are in-no matter what condition we are in. Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidst me come to thee
Oh Lamb of God I come
I Come!! Praise God!!!
Deborah Butler
22 Dec 08 at 12:06 pm
This story and explanation is wonderful for bringing me back to reality after a wild day trying to get through the airport and off to a family Christmas vacation. When Jesus reigns in the midst of travel chaos it just keeps me focused on His GREAT LOVE and helps me to look at those around me in a totally different light. Thank you! & mostly, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES. Jan
Jan W.
22 Dec 08 at 1:01 pm
Phil,
Believe it or not my brother-in-law is a shepherd! He works for a biochemical company; they draw sheeps’ blood to make cultures for medicine. He loves the animals and knows each one. But when he comes home, PHEW!!! They have a special closet in their home for his work jackets, coats, etc.
The presence of the shepherds in the story of Jesus’ birth is extremely important; a reminder to each of us that Christ came for the lowly; as James says in James 2:1-7:
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?”
James also tells the poor to be “proud of his high position!”
James 1:9-11:
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.”
Although I am a computer programmer I can never get away from my “roots;” my father was an “Okie” who went to California during the Dust Bowl; he made sure I knew never to be proud. But I have also known some who were prejudiced against rich, successful people. The presence of the shepherds and Magi show that Christ came for all; He was a king, but came in humble circumstances to know us all.
We must always remember who Jesus is; God in the flesh who came from heaven. He left a beautiful place where He reigned in glory to be cursed and mocked on this earth; since we are His servants, when we are so treated we have no right to complain but should rejoice in our sufferings with Him.
I HAVE had to answer people who say they don’t know if they fit with Jesus; when someone says, “I’m not good enough,” I always say, “None of us are. HE makes us good enough.” Jesus Himself said He came for sinners.
And that’s the truth.
Linda Hoeck
22 Dec 08 at 7:25 pm
did you ever notice most Nativity scenes are historically incorrect? The infant was greated by shepherds, but usually there lies the plastic infant Jesus with a few guys with fancey gifts and maybe a sheep or two. I’m glad you brought the shepherds back into forefront. They are like me, average everyday folk, who work for a living. The intellectual rich guys eventually made it around to see the “young child” but they had a much longer journey.
p.s. D James Kennedy wrote a very interesting book called “The Real Meaning of the ZODIAC”. It’s all about how our wonderfull creator even used His Heavenly bodies to tell the story of Christ.
Sherry
4 Jan 09 at 8:13 pm