The Bible Is A Shocking Book

John 3:16 is probably the most familiar passage in the entire Bible. The next most familiar passage is probably Luke 2. Luke 2 details the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Luke 2 is shocking. The very first witnesses to celebrate the birth of God’s Son were the lowly shepherds.

We tend to glamorize shepherds. It’s true that Moses was a shepherd. David was also a shepherd. God in the Old Testament is even described as our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). However, in the first century shepherds were despised. The Talmud says, “There is no profession more despised than that of shepherds.” One rabbi even wondered, “How can God describe Himself as a shepherd?”

Shepherds in the time of Luke 2 were nomadic. They wandered from place to place. They lived in tents- not buildings. They traveled searching for green grass and still water for their sheep. Shepherds often came from the lower classes. Very few parents told their children, “I want you to grow up and become a shepherd!”

Shepherds had a poor reputation. The rabbis forbade people from buying wool, milk or even a lamb from shepherds. It was assumed the shepherds had stolen it! They were not allowed to serve as judges or witnesses in court. Shepherds had little religious commitment. Due to the nature of their work it was very difficult for them to observe the rituals of the temple.

Shockingly the very first witnesses to the birth of Jesus were shepherds! There were no Roman officials invited. Herod the Great and Quirinius were not present. The Sanhedrin was not included. Even the political elite of Bethlehem were not invited.

Luke 2:9 says, “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.” The glory of God was the shekinah glory. For the first time in 600 years the shekinah glory appeared in the land of Israel.

Sometimes the presence of God became visible in the Old Testament. God manifested His presence through light or fire or a cloud. Moses experienced the burning bush. The pillar of fire and the cloud led the children of Israel to the Promised Land. These poor, common shepherds experienced the shekinah glory.

The shepherds demonstrate that Jesus came for every person. No person is too sinful. No person is too far removed from God’s grace. 1 Corinthians 1 says that God chooses “the nothings and the nobodies.” Jesus came for people like you and people like me.

The angel said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10). The good news is the gospel. This angel came to announce the greatest event- the birth of God’s Son. He came to proclaim the greatest victory- the victory of Jesus over sin, Satan and death.

Jesus is our Savior. Jesus means “Yahweh Saves.” Jesus came to rescue us from slavery to Satan. He rescues us from the wrath of God. God is just. Jesus saves us from the penalty of our sin.

These common, lowly shepherds even demonstrated the right response to the birth of Jesus. First, they believed the message. They said, “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:15). They believed the message. They understood, “God has made this known to us.” We also must believe the gospel.

Second, they obeyed the message. Verse 16 says, “And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.” The gospel is an invitation. It is an announcement. It is also a command. They obeyed the angel’s command.

Third, they shared the message. The shepherds “made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:17-18).

It’s shocking God invited shepherds to celebrate the birth of His Son. It’s shocking that God the Father sent His Son to die for us. It’s amazing Jesus became Man to offer a perfect sacrifice on the cross. We must respond as the shepherds responded. We must believe the gospel and obey the gospel and share the gospel.

Ethan Hansen is Pastor at the Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.