Articles
The Shepherd's Story
The Shepherds Story
The events recorded in Luke 2:8-20 have become part of the whole 'Christmas story', a story to be 'told' and then forgotten for a year. It is hard to think of the shepherds forgetting what happened.
Here were some simple men, minding their own business, tending their sheep during the night watch. An angel appears before them. They experience what Luke records as the normal reaction of people seeing an angel - they were terrified. The angel responds, again as is typically reported by Luke, "Don't be afraid". With the calming of their fears comes the most remarkable proclamation made among men, the best news of all good news, the most joyful of all joyous announcements. "Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David" (Luke 2:11). It is these words that make this story one NOT to be forgotten but to be repeated over and over. This was not just another baby born in an out of the way village on the outskirts of the Roman Empire.
Jesus is from the beginning acknowledged by the inhabitants of Heaven to be the Savior of men. Later Peter would proclaim "there is no other name under heaven given whereby men MUST be saved" (Acts 5:12). He was called Jesus (Jehovah Saves) because He would save people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). Through Him people would find forgiveness of sins and be reconciled unto the Eternal Creator.
Jesus is the culmination of the story of the Old Testament. He is the Messiah, the anointed one of God. He is the one who has been promised from the beginning. He is the son of woman that will defeat Satan. He is the son of David who will set up the eternal kingdom. He is the fulfillment of all the promises, types, and prophecies of the Old Testament. At the end of the book He proclaims: "These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:44-45).
Having been raised from the dead He is sitting at the right hand of God ruling over His kingdom (Eph. 1:20-21). He has all authority in heaven and upon earth therefore He is LORD of lords, LORD of ALL. The first sermon ends: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!" (Acts 2:36).
It is hard to picture what went through the shepherd's minds and hearts as they heard this messenger of heaven speak these things. Before they can gather up their stuff and go check this out, "Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!" (Luke 2:13-14).
With that they hurry to see this child of promise. Luke ends this story saying that they "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told" (Luke 2:20).
This is NOT a children's story that gets told once a year. This is a world changing event. It surely was a life changing event to the shepherds. Hopefully it has become a life changing story for us. Hugh DeLong
