The Shepherds Bore Witness

12.21.09
J.A. Matteson

"In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them…." Luke 2:8-9

Israel had been anticipating with desperation the arrival of Messiah and by this time in her history the expectation of His advent had reached a fever pitch under the yoke of Roman occupation which was ruthless and unyielding. The writings by the ancients who prophesied of Messiah were studied endlessly by the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Even king Herod was familiar with their content and was consumed by a paranoia fixated on identifying and extinguishing the prophesized rival to his rule. The circumstances surrounding the announcement of Messiah’s birth was not arbitrary but divinely arranged, bearing witness to His person and mission. In this regard four key considerations are striking in Luke’s narrative regarding the angel’s announcement: the recipients of the message, the content of the message, the timing of the message, and the outcome of the message.

First, take note that the divine message was not delivered to the high priest or the Sanhedrin as human reasoning might expect, but to shepherds, those individuals who by vocation commonly endured low social, political, and economic status and were frequently accused of thievery due to their migratory lifestyle, being scorned by the religious elite. How fitting that the coming Good Shepherd purposed to announce in the open air His advent to those who were a portrait of His mission of mercy, “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” (Micah 5:4). These were shabbily dressed men, smelling of livestock and campfires, and not at all like those freshly bathed, well dressed, and occupying fine quarters in Jerusalem. The angel’s appearing to the shepherds bore witness to the coming Great Shepherd who in like manor would also be despised by the religious elite, those who’s hearts were filled with hypocrisy and conceit, being consumed with self-glorification and not concerned with the interests of the Lord’s flock, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes” (Isa. 40:11).

Second, the content of the message of great joy was intended for every nation, tongue and tribe on the earth, and not merely for the Jews—a shocking revelation to the misguided religious elite; the announcement fulfilled the Lord’s covenant to Abraham, "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 26:4).

Third, it was no mere coincidence that the angelic announcement took place in the dark of night as the physical darkness was symbolic of the spiritual darkness in which the fallen human race is held captive. And it was in the midst of this great darkness that the brilliant light of the glory of the Lord shown forth, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (Isa. 9:2). Note also the initiative of the Lord in manifesting His glory in the darkness also bares testimony to the Lord’s initiative in salvation, for unless the Lord intervenes in the darkened heart of sinners they will remain in spiritual darkness, blind to spiritual truth, “I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, 'Here am I, here am I,' to a nation which did not call on My name” (Isa. 65:1). Salvation is dependant upon divine initiative for sinners do not seek after God on their own, “The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Ps. 14:2-3). In his gospel John speaks of the divine initiative of the light of the glory of the Lord reveled in Jesus Christ, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (Jn. 1:5).

Lastly, in verse 11 the angel announces that the substance of the good tidings of great joy is that in Christ a Savior was born and the outcome is salvation for whosoever shall call upon His name. In speaking to Nicodemus the Lord Jesus Christ later said of Himself, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life” (Jn. 3:14-15). Responding to the announcement the heavenly host began praising God, exclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men of His pleasure” (Lk. 2:14).

Beloved, let us in unison join the heavenly anthem and daily give thanks to our heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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