And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:8 NIV
I love the shepherds. I have to be honest, apart from the baby Jesus, the shepherds may be one of my favorite characters in the nativity scene. If you think about it, the shepherds are the first evangelist! Best of all, the shepherds are a perfect picture of what Christ did for us.
There wasn't a much lower status job than shepherding. Of course one could have been a tax collector or prostitute, but other than that, if you wanted a job with little prestige, you might have been a shepherd.
Isn't it ironic then, that out of the whole city of Bethlehem, crowded with people because of the census, that Jesus appeared to some lonely shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks at night?
Perhaps this should tell us something about this baby who was being born? Maybe it should say that He came to the "least of these", so that you and I, who might sometimes seem unworthy, could know that Christ came for us too! If Christ could come to the shepherds, He could surely come to us!
Perhaps the shepherds are to remind us that Christ comes to those who make themselves available to Him. I mean, what else did the shepherds have to do that night...other than watch the stars and count sheep. The shepherds were quiet long enough for the angel to appear. Maybe the busyness of Bethlehem kept others from hearing the call? Maybe it should remind us to be still before the Lord?
Perhaps also the shepherds point to the awesome gift that God was bringing to the world through Christ. As I understand it, these were the shepherds keeping "watch over the flocks nearby". The nearby seems to indicate that this was the field closest to the temple, where the sacrificial lambs were kept. These shepherds were watching over sheep to be slaughtered for reptence of sins. In other words, (are you catching on now?) these shepherds were about to be out of a job! Jesus was the perfect, ultimate, permanent sacrifice!
Whatever the reason, and I'm sure there are many, the shepherds played a very vital role that first Christmas. As you look at the shepherds in your nativity scene, let them remind you of the wonderful plan God had for you and me through the birth of His Son.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This ministry is reaching people around the world with the Gospel. If you would like to help this ministry financially, send donations to Mustard Seed Ministry, PO Box 3698, Clarksville, TN 37043, USA or through www.paypal.com to email address ron.mustardseed@Christweb.com
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