The Shepherds – Joyful Messengers

​Midnight. The time when all others are in bed, save those guarding the sheep in Bethlehem’s fields. Ask any one of the shepherds and they will tell you – It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. They were the nobodies who were the somebodies doing the job that had to be done.
 
In spite of the wrinkled noses and disgusted looks from passersby, the shepherds were passionate about their vocation.  Pastoring sheep held a prominent place in the history of the Jewish people: Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. All shepherds serving under the Chief Shepherd, Jehovah, for the Psalmist has said, “Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!” (Psalm 80:1-NASB) A common profession to be sure, but who could ask for a more exalted company in which to belong!
 
Truth be told, those silly, willful sheep needed their shepherd. Sheep often got themselves in awful predicaments, bleating out their cries for help. Moved with compassionate annoyance the shepherd would rescue the trapped ones and keep a watchful eye out for the wayward. He would lovingly anoint with healing oil those pestered by flies and other parasites. Armed with staff and rod he was ever vigilant to fight off any enemy that attacked. The night watch was particularly arduous. Darkness veiled dangers always looming around the sheep. What a good shepherd wouldn’t do for his flock!
 
With his voice he would call them. Knowing his voice, they would follow.
 
Didn’t The Lord, Himself, say that He would shepherd His people, Israel? Yes, Micah the prophet said, "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity… And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. This One will be {our} peace.” (Micah 2:4, 5, 6a) Oh, Lord, make it so!
 
The men settled in for the watch, bantering by flickering firelight about recent family happenings and the effects the census had on the economy. Just another evening under the starry sky.
 
In a flash there appeared a being from another world enveloped in glorious light. Terror gripped the shepherd’s minds and hearts. What was the defense protocol for this?!
 
"Do not be afraid,” the angel said.  “For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
 
Amazing!
 
Another flash of spectacular illumination revealed an entire army of the celestial beings! A chorus of voices praised God and said, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
 
The fear that had initially paralyzed the shepherds gave way to an overwhelming sense of the Presence of Goodness and Love and Truth. The words of the prophet Isaiah were unmistakable:  A Savior had been born for them! Right there, in the City of David.
 
The Anointed One, Messiah, had come! The Lord’s promises are true and His faithfulness is everlasting!
 
The angel said that they would find The Child, their Savior, in the City of David. Why wait? They went straight to Bethlehem then, to see with their own eyes the Child of Jehovah’s promise.
 
They, the lowliest of the low, would SEE the answer of the prayer of all Israel, in the flesh!
 
A joy like no other welled up within their hearts as they made their way to the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them.
 
Any self-consciousness was forgotten as the shepherds exuberantly described the angel’s dramatic appearance and the message of great joy that a Savior had been born. At the mention of angels they saw the man and his wife smile and nod slightly. For a time the shepherds stood in hushed delight, gazing at the little one. Their Savior.
 
But duty called them to return to the flock in their care. Such is the life of a shepherd. As they returned to the sheep they were glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen. It was a night to be remembered!
 
The psalm of Asaph may have come to mind as they recounted this miraculous visitation – “Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your power And come to save us! O God, restore us And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.” (Psalm 80:1-3)
 
The words of Jesus, himself, testify to this when He said, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NASB)
 
Jesus, God’s Word made flesh, came to save a world lost in sin. A Savior has been born for us!
 
“For it was the {Father's} good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20 NASB)
 
Oh, that you would know what the Good Shepherd has done for you. 

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