1. The Shepherds for the Announcement (Luke 2:8)
The angelic announcement about the birth of Jesus Christ was made to lowly shepherds.
The field of the shepherds. “There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field” (Luke 2:8). The field was important in its country and convenience.
· First, the country. “Same country” indicates the shepherds’ fields were in the Bethlehem vicinity. It is possible they were keeping sheep in the same field in which David kept sheep centuries earlier.
· Second, the convenience. “Same country.” Being near Bethlehem permitted the shepherds to go and see the Christ child and yet get back to their flocks without jeopardizing their flocks by the shepherds’ absence. The wise men could come from afar without a problem, for they did not have flocks that demanded their care. God provides circumstances for all men to worship if they so desire. The lack of worship is desire, not circumstances.
The faithfulness of the shepherds. “Abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). These shepherds were good shepherds in terms of faithfulness.
· First, their continuousness. “Abiding.” These shepherds stayed on the job. The word “abiding” is in the present active participle in the Greek and means continuous action. These shepherds stayed on the job.
· Second, their country. “In the fields.” These were hardy souls. They were not lounging in some luxurious palace but abiding outside in pasture. They did their job though it involved much hardship.
· Third, their care. “Watching their flock.” They were diligent stewards. If you want your sheep to do well, you will have to watch over them.
· Fourth, their courage. “By night.” Night time brought out the wild beasts and other perils for sheep. These shepherds were courageous, however, and stayed on the job even when night came.
The flocks of the shepherds. “Keeping watch over their flock” (Luke 2:8). The Talmud says that the sheep used for many of the sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem (only about six miles from Bethlehem) were raised near Bethlehem. How fitting that the angel announced the coming of Christ, the Lamb of God, to shepherds raising sheep who in their sacrifices portrayed Christ.
The favor for the shepherds. “Shepherds abiding in the field” (Luke 2:8). The angelic announcement was given not to kings or religious leaders but to lowly shepherds. God did not send an angelic delegation to the Caesars or the high priest to inform them of Christ’s birth, but the angelic announcement came to lowly shepherds. Divine favors sometimes do come to those in high position in the world, but often the lowly are favored more than the high-ups. The lowly generally respond better to spiritual advantage that those in high position.
The fear in the shepherds. “The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid” (Luke 2:9). When the angels suddenly came to the shepherds, it created much fear among them.
· First, the cause of the fear. “The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” Suddenly in the darkness of the night a bright light appeared along with angelic creatures. That would frighten anyone. The darkness of the night would only add to the fear.
· Second, the character of the fear. “Sore afraid.” This was a great fear, not a slight scare. The fact it was shepherds who were afraid only emphasizes the greatness of the fear, for they were normally among the bravest men, for they could stay out in the fields all night with the sheep.
· Third, the compliment for the fear. “They were sore afraid” (Luke 2:9). This was a healthy fear, for it was a fear caused by Divine manifestation. Today, men do not fear God. They sin without concern about a holy God bringing judgment. They need the shepherds’ fear.
2. The Statements in the Announcement (Luke 2:10,11)
Three major statements were made in this angelic announcements to the shepherds.
The statement about the scare. The angel first addressed the problem of the fear of the shepherds.
· First, the command in the statement. “Fear not” (Luke 2:10). This command was also given Zacharias (Luke 1:13) and Mary (Luke 1:30) when the angel gave them Divine announcements. This command would be difficult to obey. Obeying God is not easy but it is the best way to live.
· Second, the comfort in the statement. “Behold, I bring you good tidings” (Luke 2:10). This news would help them to “fear not.” The word translated “bring you good tidings” is the word that gives us the English word evangelize and evangelism.
· Third, the cheer in the statement. “Good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). The news of Jesus Christ is the greatest cause of joy known to mankind.
The statement about the Savior. The main reason for the angelic announcement was the Savior.
· First, the responsibility to the Savior. “For unto you is born” (Luke 2:11). “Unto you” creates responsibility. We are to care for what God gives us. We all have a responsibility regarding Jesus Christ.
· Second, the reproach for the Savior. “Born this day” (Luke 2:11). Coming to earth as a babe shows the humility and reproach which Christ experienced in coming to earth the first time.
· Third, the region of the Savior. “In the city of David” (Luke 2:11). This was another name for Bethlehem. The angelic announcement informed the shepherds in what city Christ was born.
· Fourth, the relevance of the Savior. “A Savior” (Luke 2:11). Being a “Savior” makes Jesus Christ relevant to all mankind because all mankind needs a Savior more than anything else.
· Fifth, the reign of the Savior. “Christ” (Luke 2:11). The word “Christ” speaks of His Messianic office in which He will rule and reign over Israel and the whole world during the millennium.
· Sixth, the rank of the Savior. “Lord” (Luke 2:11). This is the third title given the babe in this statement. The first was “Savior.” The second was “Christ.” Now the third is “Lord.” He is of higher rank than any human. He is called “Lord of Lords” in Revelation 19:16.
The statement about the sign. “This shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). The angel gave the shepherds an important sign in the angelic statement.
· First, the proof in the sign. “Ye shall find.” The sign was proof that what the angel said was true. The work of Christ comes with much proof (cp. Acts 1:3).
· Second, the precept in the sign. “Ye shall find.” The precept is implied. Telling the shepherds what they would find was an indirect way of telling them to seek the Savior.
· Third, the promise in the sign. “Ye shall find.” The promise was not apart from obedience to the seeking.
· Fourth, the particulars of the sign. “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” There were three specific things the shepherds would find: (1) child, (2) clothes, and (3) crib. The crib would be the most unusual aspect of the sign and also the most surprising aspect of the sign.
3. The Song With the Announcement (Luke 2:13,14)
The announcement to the shepherds about Christ’s birth climaxed with a great chorus of angels sounding forth a great song of praise and blessing (the meaning of the great songs or anthems in Luke is that of a poem like “Psalms” and “Song of Solomon” which does not necessarily include music). This song of the angels’ chorus is called the “Gloria.” Previously we had the “Beatitude” by Elisabeth, the “Magnificat” by Mary, the “Benedictus” by Zacharias, the “Evangel” by the angel announcing Christ’s coming, and now the “Gloria.” One more song will be recorded in Luke 2 which is “Nunc Dimittis,” the song of Simeon in the Temple.
The multitude in the song. A great heavenly choir was assembled with the angel to accompany the angel’s announcement with a great song.
· First, the suddenness of the multitude. “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host” (Luke 2:13). Sudden heavenly appearances exhort us to always be ready spiritually. “Watch … lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping” (Mark 13:35,36).
· Second, the size of the multitude. “A multitude of the heavenly host” (Luke 2:13). The word “multitude” means “fullness.” This means the area around the shepherds was full of angels. Heaven was very interested in the birth of Christ, but earth was not. Those of earth who were interested in his birth would not fill much space at all.
· Third, the site of the multitude. “With the angel a multitude of the heavenly host” (Luke 2:13). The angel “came upon” the shepherds. “Came upon” means to stand with the shepherds, not hover over them. The host that came to stand with the angel were standing on the ground in the hills around the shepherds. These hills would make great risers for the choir of angels.
The message in the song. The message of the song of the choir of angels was twofold.
· First, the praise for God. “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). Indeed God needed to be praised for sending Christ to earth to be our Savior. There is not much praise for God in the world today, but angels certainly are not hesitant to praise Him.
· Second, the peace for men. “And on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Christ is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Christ is the source of the greatest peace mankind can ever have. But many individuals exclude Christ from their life and will never know this great peace. This is why the earth knows little peace. It has excluded Christ. In fact, much of the world has done more than exclude Christ; they have openly and unhesitantly showed contempt for Christ.
The Action Of The Shepherds
Luke 2:15–20
The visit by the angels caused the shepherds to take some action. Divine revelation is given for us to act upon not to sit and gloat over the fact and privilege of the revelation.
1. The Seeking by the Shepherds (Luke 2:15,16)
The action of the shepherds was to seek Jesus Christ. The angels had informed them of Christ, now they would find Him.
The fastness of their seeking. “Let us now go … they came with haste” (Luke 2:15,16) The shepherds did not waste time in seeking Jesus. All men should be likewise prompt in seeking the Savior.
The faith in their seeking. “See this thing which is come to pass” (Luke 2:15). The shepherds were not religious skeptics and scoffers about Jesus Christ. They believed the truth and gave evidence of their faith by their actions. Some say they believe but their actions deny their faith. If you believe it will affect your conduct.
The finding in their seeking. “Found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16). There is both reward and ratification here.
· First, the reward for faith. “Found.” Faith will experience great rewards. These shepherds, because of their faith, were the first ones to see Jesus Christ other than Mary and Joseph. Faith does not disappoint. The world’s promises disappoint, but faith does not.
· Second, the ratification for faith. “Found.” Our faith will be ratified. It will be abundantly confirmed. Our faith stands on the solid ground of abundant and excellent evidence (cp. “many infallible proofs” of Acts 1:3). Faith is built on facts not wistful thinking.
2. The Speaking by the Shepherds (Luke 2:17–19)
The shepherds did not keep quiet about this great news of the coming of Jesus Christ to earth, but they told it to others.
When they spoke. “When they had seen it, they made known” (Luke 2:17). The shepherds told about Christ after they had come to see Christ for themselves. If you are going to tell people about Christ, you must first come to Christ. If you are going to teach or preach, you need to first study and become acquainted with the message.
What they spoke. “They made known … the saying which was told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:17). Two things can be said about what the shepherds spoke.
· First, the source of the message. “The saying which was told them.” They spoke the heavenly revelation. What was told them was the Word of God. The angels spoke God’s message. Preachers are to do the same. They are to “preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2).
· Second, the subject of the message. “Concerning this child” (Luke 2:17). Their message focused on Jesus Christ. They did not preach Mary (Catholicism) or Joseph (cults) or the manger (social gospel), but they proclaimed Christ. If we do not proclaim Christ, we do not have a message worth proclaiming.
Where they spoke. “Made known abroad” (Luke 2:17). The area where the shepherds told their message was the area around Bethlehem. The area was not large, but it received a good message because the word translated “made known abroad” not only speaks of where the message was spoken but also how it was spoken—the word means it was spoken fully. The shepherds did not hold back any information even if it would offend some.
Wonderment from their speaking. The message really arrested the listeners’ attention.
· First, of the multitudes in the wonderment. “All they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:18). The multitudes were amazed at this message. They had never heard anything like it before. They did not mock but marveled at the message.
· Second, of the mother in the wonderment. “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). God had not revealed everything to Mary. She had to walk by faith. When she heard messages like what the shepherds proclaimed, it illuminated Mary more about Who Christ was, and so she did some serious thinking about this precious babe born to her.
3. The Steadfastness of the Shepherds (Luke 2:20)
We noted earlier the faithfulness of the shepherds. Here we see it again. These men were men of high character.
Steadfastness in their duties. “The shepherds returned” (Luke 2:20). The excitement of the hour could have caused the shepherds to forsake their sheep. But they had their calling and though they were privileged by God to see and hear angels and the Christ child, this great privilege did not exempt them from their daily duties. Spiritual blessings to not make us impractical or irresponsible.
Steadfastness in their devotion. “Glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20). These shepherds were not just Sunday Christians who acted pious at church but ungodly during the rest of the week. Rather these shepherds would honor God in their daily lives as well as in their special spiritual experience.
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