By Lisa Wilmore
Have you ever wondered why the angel of the Lord appeared before shepherds who were commoners and not the religious leaders or people who were high in status? The angel appeared to shepherds who were “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). Yes, they were working and tending to their flock at night. Not only do sheep need watching- over in the daytime, but at night, also. In fact, the labor of watching-over a flock of sheep does not end with sunset but continues throughout the night to keep the wild beast from invading their space and place.
After the angel of God brings good tidings of great joy, who is ‘Christ the Lord’, to the shepherds, they said to one another, “Let us now go even to Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us” (Luke 2:15). God chose the shepherds to witness first the birth of Jesus. He chose people who were humble and believed the report of God which was delivered by His angel. Interestingly, God chose David, a shepherd boy to be His king over His people (I Sam.). So, it can be noted that God used shepherds to protect, lead and guide His flock.
Unquestionably, the shepherds may not have understood at the time that they were not only witnessing the birth of the Savior, Jesus, but He was their and our “Good Shepherd”, also. An important note is that John recorded Jesus saying, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth is life for the sheep” (John 10:11 KJV). Without a doubt, the shepherds were willing to give their life for their sheep, in like manner, Jesus came to give His life for us, His sheep.
Jesus, God’s Baby Boy, simultaneously reigns as the Savior of the world and serves as our Shepherd. Therefore, when the shepherds meet the LAMB of God, they also meet their Shepherd. A Shepherd who watches over His sheep out of love; a Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep is worthy of glory honor and praise. No wonder, after the angel’s announcement of the Savior of the world, “a multitude of heavenly host praised God, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’” (Luke 2:13). We must praise Our Savior because He is worthy to be praised. Have you met the Lamb of God and your Shepherd?
Jesus Saves!
