Shepherds

God’s Message to the Shepherds (Luke 2:1, 4-20) Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, is the first shepherd is mentioned in Bible. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s sons and David were all shepherds. Moses also worked as a shepherd. Shepherds were consider low on the totem pole in Jewish society, unclean outcasts, looked upon with derision and suspicion. They had a lonely, wearisome, sometimes dangerous existence. They were people on the outside looking in. Who would be their equivalent in our society today? In the Talmud treatise “Sanhedrin” it is written that shepherds were not allowed into court as witnesses. The Talmud also instructs that no duty of assistance is due to heathens or shepherds. Shepherds were especially despised by religious leaders because they were unable to attend temple services and to keep rituals and ceremonial laws because they were busy attending to their flocks. Yet the angels announced the Good News to them (Luke 2:8-14) Why? (see Luke 1:52, 1 Cor. 1:26-31) Perhaps God wanted to show that His love does not discriminate on the basis of class, or wealth, or social standing (and that ours should not either) Do you remember the “marginalized” at Christmas? If so, how? Good News of Great Joy for all people (Luke 2:10, John 3:16) Peace to Men on whom His favor rests (Luke 2:14) Who is that? Perhaps it was also a sign of role God/Jesus play for their “sheep” (Psalm 23) They responded quickly to confirm the message (Luke 2:15-16) They then spread the Good News (Luke 2:17-18)