Shepherds - A Proper Response to the Birth of Jesus.

(Matthew 2: 8-20)

How do you respond to the announcement of a baby's birth? One common response is to ask questions. You'd want to know the baby's name, weight, how the mother and child are doing, and perhaps who the baby resembles. Another customary response in our times is to bring gifts, either before or after the birth. 

Today people like to see pictures, as many would want to catch a glimpse of the newborn. Finally, there's the emotional response, crying hopefully tears of joy. Hearing that a baby has been born can often bring tears of happiness to the eyes of those present in the room.

Now, let's transport ourselves back to the 1st century and imagine being among the first to hear about the birth of Jesus. While it had been announced that He would be born, the story had now shifted. This is the first time that His birth is announced to a broader group, people who hadn't known about it before. Let's look at their responses.

Turn with me to Luke chapter 2, beginning with verse 8. In this passage, we meet shepherds.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marvelled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

(Luke 2: 8-20)

This passage carries the message of the birth of Christ, announced to the shepherds. We can divide it into two parts: the initial announcement and the response of the shepherds to that announcement. The choice of the shepherds as the first to hear about Jesus' birth is significant, and their reaction to this message is truly remarkable.

The Announcement to the Shepherds.

Why would the angels choose shepherds as the first to hear the news of Jesus's birth? There are several suggested reasons, and they all  have merit. Shepherds were known for their simplicity, not belonging to the nobility, wealthy class, or educated philosophers of their day. In 1 Corinthians 1:26, Paul tells us, "Not many of the mighty are called." God tends to favour the humble and the simple, which is a comforting thought.

They were also often on the move, living in the fields, and these are the people the angels chose to reveal the news to, just regular, ordinary folks.

On top of that, shepherds were known for their sins. Now, here's the remarkable part, they were shepherds in Bethlehem, and this is a key detail. Bethlehem was just six miles from Jerusalem, where the Temple was located. The Temple required animals for sacrifice, often consisting of lambs or sheep. These shepherds oversaw flocks of sheep, probably those that would be used as sacrifices in the Temple. Here's where the symbolism comes in, the Angel announces the birth of Christ, the Lamb of God, to shepherds who understand more than most the significance of a lamb as a sacrifice for sin. They would care for these young innocent lambs and at the same time see them be taken away to be sacrificed.

So, what was it like for these shepherds? The text tells us, “Suddenly, an Angel of the Lord appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord shone brightly around them. Other extra biblical accounts talk of the night becoming brighter than the noonday sun on a cloudless day. The impact on these shepherds was profound. They were not just startled; is says they are terrified, as anyone would be when facing such an overwhelming and supernatural sight.

Many people talk about God but I suspect most would be terrified to encounter Him face-to-face.

That's probably what happened to these shepherds. They were terrified, upon seeing the glory of the Lord around them. Imagine that happening today, how frightening it would be for some. But the message is clear: don't be afraid; the angels are bringing you good news, tidings of great joy, which is not just for you but for all people.

What I'm about to tell you is for all people, then they explain in verse 11, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a saviour who is Christ the Lord.”

These Jewish shepherds are being told that the Messiah has arrived, and He is the Lord. When the New Testament mentions "Christ the Lord," it's not just talking about a master; it's affirming His deity. To a Jew in the 1st century, "the Lord" would have automatically meant God is here. So, they've received the announcement that the Messiah, who is also God, has arrived, and He is a Savior.

The Angel then gives them the sign: "You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." This might not sound like a unique sign, as all babies are wrapped in swaddling clothes. However, there's a twist, this baby is going to be in a manger. Babies are not typically placed in feeding troughs. So, the key sign is finding a baby in a manger. That's how they'll know they've found the Messiah.

Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts appears, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." Notably, the text doesn't say they sang, but that they praised and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men”. The message is about glory to God and peace on earth. While the ultimate peace on earth will only happen when Jesus returns, His arrival brings personal peace with God and the peace of God to individuals. 

The Hebrew word "Shalom" conveys more than just the absence of conflict; it means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness.

The Messiah brings peace, peace with God and the potential for peace on earth when He returns.

The phrase "goodwill toward men" (v14) has led to translation debates, especially because of variations in the original Greek manuscripts. The majority of manuscripts are in agreement with this reading "goodwill toward men." This translation is seen in the King James Version and the New King James Version of the Bible, based on these vast majority manuscripts.

However, around 150 years ago, two older manuscripts were discovered that were considered chronologically closer to the original New Testament text. Some recent translations since 1881 are based on these manuscripts. They differ in their translation, using "peace to men of goodwill" or similar phrases. These translations aim to emphasize God's favour toward people who have goodwill or good intentions.

But the majority of manuscripts support the reading "goodwill toward all men/people," which implies that the Messiah's arrival brings God's favour and goodwill offered to humanity.

Now, moving forward, the shepherds' response to this announcement involves three aspects.

Immediate Belief: After the angels departed, the shepherds quickly believed the message. They didn't doubt or hesitate; their faith was immediate. They said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass which the Lord has made known to us." They were convinced of the angels' message.

An immediate  Response: The shepherds "came with haste" to find the baby. This implies that they acted swiftly on their belief. They didn't just believe the angels and then procrastinate or question the message. They went searching for the child, straight away.

The spread it widely: They then went and shared it straight away. Upon finding Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, they didn't keep this incredible news to themselves. Verse 17 states, " When they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." Their response was to share the message with others. They didn't hide this incredible news; they spread it far and wide.

In essence, the shepherds' response is characterized by immediate faith, a quick response, and widespread sharing of the good news about the birth of Jesus. Their reactions serve as an example of how we should respond to the message of the Messiah, believing, acting, and sharing the good news with others.

Mary, on the other hand if you remember, opted for a different response. Mary, it said,  chose to ponder these events in her heart. Her reaction demonstrated reflection and contemplation. In her heart, she considered the significance of the Messiah's birth. This response may also indicate her desire to give full credit and attention to the Lord, allowing Him to receive the glory.

Ultimately, the shepherds, after witnessing the Messiah's birth, returned to their work, glorifying and praising God while going about their daily labour. Their response highlighted the importance of continuing to glorify and praise God in all aspects of life, including one's everyday work.

In summary, the shepherds' immediate belief, hasty action, and widespread sharing serve as a model for how we can respond to the message of the Messiah. They demonstrate the significance of embracing faith, acting promptly, and sharing the good news with enthusiasm, ultimately glorifying and praising God in all aspects of life.

God's greatest gifts should awaken in us our greatest gratitude, Christian Poet and writer Alexander Pope, wrote in the 18th century, I quote, ”Rejoice that the immortal God is born so that mortal men may live in eternity, rejoice because the rich bard of the universe became poor that he might enrich us.

These shepherds responded spontaneously even amidst the humdrum of their usual work. Remember this was at night they were pulling the night shift, and they still went out immediately and returned praising God. He wants us to be content in every part and accident of life because it all comes from God.

That's the story of the shepherds. What did they do they do, they responded by believing what they told everybody else about what they saw and heard, and they went out praising God.

I'll finish today by making a couple of simple observations.

Firstly,  there was another group were told was told about the birth of the Messiah. The wise men, the Magi, we heard about when we worked through Matthews account of these events.

Is there a difference between the wise men and the shepherds response to the news of God’s Messiah? In response the wise men brought presents, and the shepherds brought testimony and praise. 

The wise men were looking for a king, so it was appropriate to bring gifts to a king. The shepherds were told not about a king but about a saviour, so the appropriate response to the birth of the saviour is praise and testimony and faith.

We too should have their faith for he was born upon the earth, came down to earth, so that we could be born from above, and we too should naturally spontaneously tell everybody what God has done for us and praise God for it. I mean just spontaneously praise God.

Even when everything else is going very bad you can still praise God. Because understanding Him as saviour means you are safe and sound. And that's what they did, they heard about a saviour, and they praised God.

I’ll end on that note.  

A final illustration.

A British church minister from last century tells the story of how he began to notice an uneasiness in his throat, he had trouble swallowing. Soon after  he began to drag his leg a little. The doctors found that he had an incurable disease that caused muscles wastage. He was told soon even his voice would fail his throat would soon become unable to swallow.

When he heard that he threw himself into his work for an organisation he worked for called, The British home missions, Later the Baptist Missionary Society.”  Within a few years all he could be seen to physically do was write and little and prey.

When asked about his predicament he wrote this response. “ I don't mind if I can no longer be a general but give me just a regiment or a platoon instead.  

I'm now can only be in command of myself and now find myself in the nursery of suffering, but I can still hold a pen. 

Shortly after he lost his ability to speak altogether. Just a few weeks before he died, he wrote a letter to his daughter and in it he said to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice to shout, “he is risen” is difficult, but to have a voice and not want to shout He is risen, would be far worse.