The Gospel of Luke in the first chapters is full of joy at the coming of Christ Jesus. Mary, Elizabeth, the unborn John the Baptist, and now the shepherds. We will look more at this story of the shepherds as we explore the joy of Christ being born for us.
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while a Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told (Luke 2:1-20, NIV).
Setting the Scene: A number of important details are critical to fully grasp this joy.
Census - The Roman government conducted regular census events. Luke as a pristine historian even mentions first census of Quirinius. Archeology has shown he most likely had two terms of office and so had two censuses he oversaw. The Bible over and over again has been vindicated for its historical accuracy and this is a good example.
Travel to Bethlehem - Micah’s prophecy was that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem but Joseph was from Nazareth in the north. God used this census to have him and Mary head to Bethlehem.
God works even through very ordinary means to guide us. He is in control.
Stay in Bethlehem - A number of embellishments surround Jesus’ birth that are probably not accurate. Having a clearer understanding will help us appreciate His birth all the more.
Joseph and Mary did not arrive in Bethlehem on the night of the birth. The text says “while they were there” showing they were already in town.
In addition since Joseph had relatives there, they most likely stayed with someone in their home but because of the crowds from the census, did not stay in the upstairs guest room (translated “inn”) as it was occupied. The word “inn” is the same word as “upper room” where Jesus spent the evening with the disciples before His crucifixion.
The “inn” of the Good Samaritan is a different word. Plus we know that when the shepherds told of the angel announcement, “all who heard wondered”, showing more were present than just Mary and Joseph.
Mary would have had help in her delivery and then after the birth, Jesus was snuggly kept in a manger near the family livestock in the lower part of the house. This was the warmest section of the house.
“Jesus birth was humble but not cruel as it is sometimes depicted.”
Expectations - What were Joseph and Mary expecting? They had been told they would give birth to the Son of God. Yet in their joy when Jesus was born, he looked like every other Jewish boy. I am sure they wondered if they heard everything correctly. The shepherds would help them soon with this.
The Plot and Climax: The shepherds relay the message of joy of a newborn Savior.
Who were the shepherds? They were social outcasts and taking care of sheep was for the lowest echelons of society. Most likely they were teen boys living a rough life.
Why were they the recipients of the angel announcement?
Since they were outcasts, God showed that the Savior was for them and everyone else.
If God was concerned for the lowest elements, He was concerned for all. In addition, another famous shepherd roamed these hills is David. David received his call to be king while being a shepherd and the announcement of David’s Great Son was made similarly to these shepherds as confirmation from the Lord.
Angel announcement - God’s presence flashed around the shepherds and they were terrified. God made His presence known. He was always there but now they knew it. The angel gave assurance but wanted them to pay attention that the Savior was born that night even for them. He was Christ the Lord, a real person and God Himself (Isaiah 9:6-7). Since He is the Savior, it shows we all needing saving. We cannot do it ourselves but must receive the help the Lord gives.
The heavenly choir affirms its praise of God and says people who please God have peace. Who are these people? The ones who heed the announcement of the Savior and receive Him.
“We need to react rightly to the good news just as the shepherds did.”
The visit of the shepherds - They quickly came to Bethlehem and found their way to Joseph and Mary. Seeing the specific sign of Jesus in a manger gave them confirmation and then they told everyone what the angels said, confirming what Joseph and Mary knew.
Everyone is amazed. Each shares what the Lord said and it affirms to each how He worked. The shepherds return doing what the angels did - praising God.
“The shepherds of all people had an important part to play in announcing the Savior of all people.”
Joy is the emotion of salvation.
It is the peace knowing God has concern, loves, and rescues us. He has given us His Son as our Savior. Now the question is what will we do with Him? If we have not received Him as Savior, His offer still stands.
He died for our sins and was raised from the dead to show His sacrifice for us is a true offer to all. The peace He gives us is a full-bodied peace and we who are believers can rejoice and delight in His salvation daily.
We need Him as our Savior everyday to rescue us from life’s struggles and from even ourselves and to make us more and more into His image.
The result is that we all praise God for all we have seen and heard just as was told to us.
