Worship Jesus With The Shepherds
Luke 2:1–7 (NKJV) — 1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Historians tell us that the time in which Christ was born was a time without war. Yet we also understand it was a time of tremendous darkness. We understand that originally Senators governed Rome at the consent of the people, a primitive and similar form of the government that would be established in America. Yet at this point in history of Rome the power of the government had been taken from the people and invested in one man (Caesar Augustus - Roman Emperor). The reason for the fact of no war was that the people had literally been beaten into submission by the heavy hand of the Roman Empire.
Luke tells us that a decree was issued the Roman emperor Augustus that all the world must be registered for a census for the purposes of taxation and/or military conscription. The Jews were exempt from military service. This census required ever man to return to the city of their ancestors and so we find the earthly parents of Jesus forced to comply with this Roman governmental decree. From an earthly perspective, the authority of Rome and their emperor’s decrees is so evident when we see Joseph leaving his job, his home, and traveling for 70 miles over treacherous territory with his wife who is ready to give birth.
Yet from God’s perspective, we see this woman was carrying in her womb the Son of God. This man had one passion, to protect this woman, her Child, and serve as the earthly father of Jesus. They were not acting upon the whim of an earthly dictator, but according to the decree of God, through Micah 650 years earlier.
Micah 5:2 (NKJV) — 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
Luke 2:4 reminds us that the reason Joseph returned to Bethelehem was because he “was of the house and lineage of David” and he had to be registered along with Mary, his wife. Their marriage was not consummated until after the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:25).
It was while in Bethlehem the decree of God (as seen in Micah) and the promises made to David (Isaiah 9:7) had come to the time of fulfillment, so we see that Jesus is born. He is declared to be her firstborn son and when we read through the Gospels, we discover Jesus is the eldest in a household of at least seven children (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 3:32; Luke 8:19; John 7:2-5).
The Davidic geneology of Joseph is recorded in Matthew chapter 1 and the Davidic gemology of Mary is found in Luke chapter 3. I only mention this because some have declared that since Joseph was not the earthly father, Jesus was not of the house of David. Luke’s genealogy of Mary is recorded in case someone thinks God made a mistake in His promises to David. Joseph was in the lineage of David through his son Solomon, and Mary was a descendant of David’s son Nathan.
There was no room in the inn, so Jesus was born in a manger, and tradition says the manger was in a cave that served as a birthing room for pregnant ewes. The King of the universe didn’t choose to be born in a palace, but to be born in a cave used by shepherds.
In this seeming insignificant province of the Roman empire, Jesus is born, He didn’t make the headlines of the paper on the day of his birth. They didn’t place a stork sign in the front yard of the inn pointing to the off-road cave that was a mile off the highway. Yet He was born a King and in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream/ which Daniel interpreted…the coming King and his Kingdom were prophesied…
Daniel 2:44 (NKJV) — 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Shepherds Worship—
Luke 2:8–14 (NKJV) — 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
The first ones mentioned to hear the good news of Jesus birth were shepherds. It is interesting that while this profession was not in the top twenty-five on the school’s career counselors list (e.g., we are told in this period of Jewish history that shepherds were held in low esteem and that they were not allowed in the courts as witnesses); yet, , besides Mary and Joseph, that were first ones chosen by God to hear the good news of Jesus birth and share the good news. It is possible that if the angelic announcement had been given to a person among the religious or political elites, that many would have thought only those of earthly wealth or social position could be saved; therefore, God chose to reveal Jesus to these shepherds to encourage us that anyone can have access to Jesus and anyone can share the message Jesus, who came to save us from our sin.
We find that these humble shepherds didn’t just hear the message, but they responded to the invitation to come and see Jesus. Many persons heard the message, but many refused to come to see Him (Matthew 2:2). Let us take the time not just to hear, but to draw near and behold Him this Christmas season.
As we take a moment to review the words of the angel to the shepherds, we find the first words are to not be afraid. God sent us to speak to You not to harm you. You are living in a difficult season under much political and religious corruption. If you listen to the main stream media, they typically share bad news; however, my message with not make you afraid, but bring you great joy. Now just relax and listen to the message of Almighty God. It reminds of the message given to Joseph by the angel of God in a dream about eight months earlier.
Matthew 1:20–21 (NKJV) — 20 …“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Jesus comes to save us from what makes us fearful and afraid—sin. This is the good news. Consider the fact that sinful thoughts and actions make us miserable. We then suffer from the guilt and shame of breaking Divine law. We are tormented by the knowledge that we rightly deserve death for our sins (Romans 6:23). Jesus came and took away the presence and power of sin, the shame of sin, and the punishment of sin for us all. Whosover with call on the name of Jesus shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
Great joy to all people (everyone, everywhere, in every generation), not just Jews. What is the signpost for the shepherds to know they have arrived at the right room to find Jesus? He will be in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.
We understand swaddling a baby child, so they have a similar feeling to the comfort of their mothers womb. However, swaddling clothes to these shepherds had a different meaning, because they were tasked with birthing and raising unblemished male lambs for Levitcal sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. These swaddling clothes were used for a time (I don’t know how long) to help keep the lamb from being injured (e.g., cut on a sharp rock) and becoming unsuitable for use by the priests. They had a special cave for this task and knew where it was located.
This meant without a GPS, this detail given by the angel to these shepherds told them exactly which cave among many was the place to which they were to go. These few details spoke clearly to the shepherds that Jesus was born to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
The last point we want to emphasize is peace. The angel tells us that Jesus has come to bring us peace. The word translated peace here means completeness, wholeness, soundness, well-being, or health. God desires all of humanity to be at peace with Him. When we have peace with God, we have peace in our hearts, and we can leave peaceably with our neighbor. Peace isn’t found in vacations, money, health, or relationships. It is freely ours when we receive Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
We are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts and our ability to walk successfully on the earth is contingent on having the peace of God in our hearts (Ephesians 6:15).
The first stanza of the Christmas hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” says:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem:
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King.
We pray for each of you to have peace and great joy this Christmas season as you take time to come and worship the King. Blessings.