Studying the Bible is like looking at a fence full of knotholes. Max Lucado makes this assertion. Further, we can peak through but not get the whole picture. We can, indeed, see part of the story but are left with a question.
We can also describe Scripture as looking at a scrapbook capturing people in encounters with God. We do not see the whole picture.
Today we will continue our study by looking a little deeper at the experience of the Shepherds. The text is found in Luke 2.
On June 6, 1944, the allied forces invaded the European continent, invading the nation of France at multiple points. Five thousand ships carried men and equipment for the invasion. Ten thousand planes carried men and equipment across the channel. Two hundred thousand men were part of the invasion force.
These massive forces were necessary to carry a well enforced, supported German shoreline. Only a well-coordinated effort would carry the allied forces inland.
Contrast that with Jesus’ coming. Humankind was under Satan’s feet. Controlled by the enemy’s power every person was trapped.
God’s invasion force looked so much different than that of D-Day. A manger. A tiny baby, held by His mother Mary. The whole scene was watched over by Joseph.
John captured that moment in an eloquent speech.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [1]
The news of His coming, delivered to a most surprising audience, in a surprising setting. There in the field the shepherd rested.
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.
The news broke to a ragged group of shepherds just trying to lie down and rest for the night. Day after day they worked the field, caring for the sheep. By night they would take turns watching over the flock. Some resting while others watched over the sheep.
These shepherds represented one of the “unclean” groups of people. Receiving that name because of their vocation, it also doubtless applied to their appearance. A life of tending sheep would not lend itself to being clean in body. They were isolated and unwelcome.
Their sleep was interrupted by the shining light of glory and the presence of an angel. Heaven’s interpretation of the events in the manger are revealed by these angels.
Sleepy shepherds suddenly wide awake. It is strangely consistent through Scripture that the angel responds with “Fear not.” Of course they were afraid. Everyone would be.
The shepherds, and by extension, all humanity received a stunning promise.
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.”
The great news. I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. Consider the key words.
I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. You, the shepherds. If they can be reached with the news, anyone can.
I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. Not a small joy, great joy.
I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. It is available to ALL people. Everyone can be reached.
The news is wrapped up in the names of the child. A Savior, who is Christ, the Lord. These are more than names; they are three aspects of His identity.
A host of angels replaced the single angel. Imagine how the sky lit up as a chorus of angels appeared.
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.”
This was the angelic interpretation of events that reached into eternity. Jesus resided on the throne in heaven. He was worshipped and served by the multitude of heavenly angels.
They must have stood when he left. Were they full of wonder? Where was He going? What would happen next? The Father in all His wisdom had a perfect plan. They did not know it.
For nine months their praise of Jesus was halted. For nine months they could not worship. Now they see Jesus, recognizing Him in Mary’s arms. They peel back the sky and burst forth in praise.
He will bring peace. The Jewish people then and now often began their greetings with the word “Shalom.” In the chaos, tension, and turmoil of their world they began with “peace.”
Jesus is the Peace Bearer. He speaks to us amid the chaos, tension, and hatred of the world. He alone can bring peace. The Devil is the father of division. But Jesus is the Great Reconciler.
Where do you need peace? No “church face” for a moment. Be very real. What is troubling you? What wakes you in the night or disturbs you? He came to give you peace.
Consider the three areas in which He gives you peace.
- We can have peace with God (See Romans 5:1, John 14:27 Colossians 1:20). He is not distant from you. Any anger He might have had is gone. Your sin is covered, and grace is yours. Whatever you may have done, come home. This peace is available to all but is received by few. Stop running. Take it today.
- We can have peace with our neighbors. (See Ephesians 2:14-15) We now can be reconciled. God breaks down barriers between you and others. He is the Peace Bearer and asks us to do the same.
- We can have inner peace. (See Philippians 4:7, Colossians 3:15 and 1 Thessalonians 3:16) He will settle any disturbance within you. He finally gives peace within us. Guilt and shame are destroyed by His work.
Jesus’ peace is available to all who will receive Him. The angels proclaim that peace and respond in praise.
Consider these events from their perspective.
They had observed everything since the beginning. They saw the story unfold right before their eyes. Adam and Eve created and placed in a garden. Simple instructions. A tragic fall.
They heard the messages of the prophets. Condemnation and gloom to be sure. But also, messages of hope. They heard about a birth to come of a virgin in Bethlehem.
These angels are not divine. They do not possess omniscience (all knowledge). They did not understand everything, but they were attentive and heard the plan of God as the plan unfolded.
These angels were given a simple task, worship. They occasionally were given other tasks, but their overarching job was to worship, and they did! Since their creation they had the responsibility of worship. They gave glory to God and to Jesus who before coming to earth occupied His throne beside the father.
But then an event happened that defied explanation. Jesus left. He went from the throne and went into the womb of a simple girl. He willingly left the throne and as hard as it is to understand, He was made a little lower than the angels.
How often during these nine months did they look at the vacant throne and yearn for the day when they could worship Him as they always had done? Certainly, they felt the absence of Jesus.
They saw Him veil His glory and leave. He became flesh. Down, down, down He went!
Then they waited. Nine long months. They are timeless but it must have felt like forever. And then He was born. They knew who this baby was and that they were sent to announce to the shepherds. He was and is their king.
So, they come. They announce the birth of the Savior. They peel back heaven and bust through. They deliver the message they were required to deliver to the Shepherds.
And then heaven reverberated with the sound of worship. They knew why He came. The proclaimed His well-deserved praise.
All of heaven responds to Jesus in worship. Do the same. If you need inspiration check out the response of worship in Revelation 4:4-11. Echo that praises in your worship.
The Christmas message is life changing. But it only changes our lives if we allow it to change us. We must respond to the gift of Jesus coming.
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.
I offer you four suggestions for responding to the message of Christ. Each of these arises from Luke 2:15-20.
- Go (Verse 15)
They could have sat and relished that they received the message of the angels. They could have had decided to have a “holy huddle” each week to talk about what they experienced. They had to go.
Each of these temptations come for us. We can determine that we will merely take in the blessings that have come to us. That would not have been good for them, nor is it enough for us.
Immediately and without hesitation they went. They went to find Jesus. We must do the same. Seek Jesus tonight and throughout this season.
- Testify (Verses 16-17)
Notice that they went. They did not stay where they were. And as they went, they talked about what they heard.
We make sharing our faith far too complicated. Your most powerful tool is the one that every person has. You can share your story. Talk about your experience with Jesus.
- Treasure (Verses 18)
The shepherd’s actions caused a stir. People were amazed at the news they shared.
What did Mary think of all this? She doubtless took a nap after giving birth. These guests awakened her.
She treasured the promises and the message of the angels. She is wide awake. She cannot take her eyes off the baby.
They treasured the experience.
You doubtless have so many things you can treasure this Christmas. So many blessings in the past year. Treasure them!
Look below the surface. Look deeper. Examine the spiritual blessings. What has God done in your life. What has He taught you? What blessings has He poured on you and your family? Treasure them.
Treasure who Jesus is and what He came to do.
- Ponder (Verses 19)
What did they think when they looked at him? What did she think? He hardly looked like a Savior, but she knew.
All the rest of the people heard the news and were amazed. The reality, though, is that Jesus coming did not faze them. No line of people went out to see Him. They heard the news and went back to their business. How tragic. Jesus is born and they missed it.
Mary did not do that. After they left Luke tells us that she did two things. She treasured these things, and she pondered them.
The rest of their story is told in verse twenty.
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. [2]
They returned. They had to. They still had responsibilities. The sheep demanded attention. But I do not imagine they are the same.
The common would never be common again. They would not be the same. The conversations around their campfires would be about the night the skies lit up.
Don’t you wonder what they talked about when they heard of this baby growing up and becoming a man? When His ministry was in progress they doubtless heard of His work. When the crowd praised Him how did they respond? When they heard of His death?
They followed His ministry differently than other folks. Aside from his parents, they were the first to hear His names. They were the first to receive the message of the angels. It never left them.
They glorified and praised. The worship of Jesus was always on their tongues. The praise of Jesus was always in their hearts.
How do we respond to this message? We do two things.
First, join the shepherds in worship this season. Over the next day celebrate God’s great work in giving us a Savior.
Say this prayer to Jesus as you worship.
“O child, we kneel before you. We have no gifts, neither the gold of riches nor the frankincense of holy aroma, nor the myrrh of salve and embalmment. Jesus, we offer our bodies as living sacrifices; let them be holy and acceptable to you. You are the one we praise. You are the one whom we trust. In you we rest. In you we place our faith. Forever and forever, you are the Christ-and you are our Lord forever.”
Second, you must respond to this Jesus who is the Savior, Messiah, and Lord. He will save you from your sin, but you must ask Him. He will redeem you from your lostness. He will do it all in grace.
But you must also respond to Jesus who is the Lord. If He is not Lord of all He is not Lord at all.
[1] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Jn 1:14.
[2] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Lk 2:8–20.
