December 18, 2020
Shepherds Everywhere
Luke 2:1-20
Bobby Crotty
Central Truth
As followers of Christ, we all are called to be shepherds and to imitate the traits of these shepherds in the familiar story of Jesus' birth. They are stars of the birth story and are entrusted with both great truth and responsibility. So are you!
Key Verse | Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus Christ
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when 1 2:2 Or This was the registration before Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, 2 2:5 That is, one legally pledged to be married who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 3 2:7 Or guest room
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
4
2:14
Some manuscripts peace, good will among men
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Dive Deeper | Luke 2:1-20
This passage is filled with shepherds! Of course, the baby Jesus grows up to be the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). Joseph and Mary are responsible for shepherding Jesus through his early years (Luke 2:22-51). Caesar Augustus and Quirinius, as political leaders, have shepherding responsibilities inherent in their offices. The story occurs in the city of David, who was a shepherd before he became a king.
But the stars of this passage are the shepherds in the field to whom an angel of the Lord appears. They—lowly shepherds—are the first to receive the announcement of the Messiah's birth. Their work made them ceremonially unclean, they had a reputation for being untrustworthy, and their social standing wasn't the best in Jerusalem. Perfect! They were exactly the right people to receive this important theological message, and they embodied Luke's theme that Jesus came to outsiders—Gentiles, sinners, the poor; in short, the lost (Luke 19:10).
But these shepherds' actions demonstrated 11 traits that made them perfect recipients of this news. They were:
1. Rugged (Luke 2:8)
2. Dutiful (Luke 2:8)
3. Brave (Luke 2:8)
4. Realistic (Luke 2:9)
5. Teachable (Luke 2:10)
6. Obedient (Luke 2:16)
7. United (Luke 2:16)
8. Purposeful (Luke 2:16)
9. Faithful (Luke 2:17)
10. Respectful—they did not linger (Luke 2:20)
11. Wise—they praised and glorified God (Luke 2:20)
They serve as models for all the shepherds in the Church through the centuries. I know that I especially feel that responsibility in my duties at Watermark and in being a grandparent of six little lambs. But shepherds working alone are lion bait—easy prey for our adversary, who is like a prowling lion (1 Peter 5:8). The band of shepherds the angel visited acted in a united way, thereby underscoring our need for community as shepherds today. Remember that we ALL are shepherds—first of ourselves, then in our family, neighborhood, workplace, and at Watermark (or any other church) in the community group and ministries in which we serve.
Let us emulate the shepherds' traits in how we respond to the grace of the Christmas Message.
Discussion Questions
1. Think about the people you are shepherding. How are you doing? What would your sheep say?
2. Which of the 11 traits do you excel at? Which do you struggle with? How can you grow in the trait(s) you currently struggle with?
3. How are you doing in allowing the Good Shepherd and His Word to shepherd your life? What steps can you take to grow in your knowledge of Christ the Lord and His Word?
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In 2021, The Journey will travel through the entire Bible as we alternate between Old Testament and New Testament books. We will see that the Bible tells one story about God's efforts to rescue people and restore them to relationship with Him. Hope you will join us on January 1, 2021, as we start the seventeenth year of Join The Journey!