Be Like the Shepherds

Revelations are not necessarily for the rulers or other spiritual leaders of the day only. Often, through out biblical history we find instances where God chooses the unknown, lesser known, or unlikely to reveal and carry out His will. He chose a donkey to speak to Balaam. God used a giant fish to swallow Jonah. Moses's was a murderer, yet he took part in  leading  God's people out of Egypt and was chosen to present the Ten Commandments. David, a shepherd boy was chosen to be king of a nation, in the lineage of Jesus, and He was called man after God's own heart. Even after all of  his failures, poor, and at times, deadly choices. 

Then one day, God also chose to defy the laws of nature that He wrote, and created a Star to move and guide The Wise Men to the Messiah.  The heavens declared the glory of God, just like Psalm 19:1. The Lord unexpectedly chose shepherds, not kings, or religious leaders, out in a field to announce the birth of His son, the savior of the world! 

 Besides Mary and Joseph's awareness of God's future plan for their lives and the lives of mankind, God didn't immediately share with many people. Yet, the shepherds out in the field of the same area were given the privilege of seeing not just one angel but a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God!  They were the first to be told of God's great news of the Messiah coming to earth and they were the first to share it. Why do you suppose God used the shepherds? 

I think there were a few reasons God chose to use the shepherds. First, had it been revealed to the king or rulers of the time that The Messiah was born, it would not  be considered a marvelous occasion. In fact when King Herod did hear rumors of a messiah being born the king wanted every child 2 and under killed. 

In the second chapter of Luke we're told about how the shepherds testified to Mary and Joseph: "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.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." (Luke 2:15-20)

Mary kept what she heard in hear heart. Have you ever had a time when you felt God is telling you something, but it seems so, out there, that it couldn't be from God, not really? Then, you have someone speak a word to you from God confirming that very thing. I believe that's another reason why God sent His angels to deliver the message of Jesus' birth to the shepherds. It was to give Mary and Joseph confirmation that what they had experienced with the angels was true, they weren't just crazy. At least, that's how I would feel. 

Another reason I think God made His big announcement to  the shepherds and not the religious leaders first is because, God has such a great compassion for "the least of these"and appearing to lowly shepherds instead of lofty religious leaders would keep those leaders from being tempted to think even more highly of themselves and their position. Besides, during that time the leaders weren't exactly ready for the messiah.  From what I understand who would believe it? They believed  their messiah would come down out of the clouds like a warrior not enter the world as a new born babe. THE WARRIOR COMES LATER. HOWEVER, I'M SURE SOONER THAN MOST EXPECT.

I also believe, God in all of his creativity and the ability to share the past, present, and future at the same time through His word, used this time to do just that.  The shepherds knew that one day the sheep would be  slaughtered, perhaps for sacrifices. The night Jesus was born, the shepherds  received God's message about the final Lamb who would cover the sins of the world, through His ultimate sacrifice once and for all. All sacrifice would end. This was a picture  of the past, present and future given to these shepherds.

If you look closer, we're all given a picture of the past, present and future. It's up to us to choose what to do with it. We can be like the shepherds and go see where the Lord is leading and look for what He is doing in our life. Or we can be blinded to it, let the world pass us by, and later wonder what happened and why are in the state were in. 

If we look back to the early centuries, the religious battles that raged on then, are the same that are raging now. Today, we're getting that glimpse into the past, present, and future. If we're not careful we'll be reliving some harsh history. It's never been more important as it is now, to do as the lowly, once unremarkable, shepherds. Go see what has come to pass, rejoice in the Lord who has brought us new life, and spread the good news. Rejoice in the hope for the future we're given, just as the heavenly hosts. They know how it all ends up, for God's glory!