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Logos Ministries Incorporated
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from FASHIONED BY CULTURE THE SHEPHERDSAnd in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 When we hear the story of the birth of Jesus, we tend to read in a matter-of-fact manner that the coming of the Jewish Messiah was first made known to shepherds on the hillsides outside Bethlehem. There is no shock or surprise in that discovery for us. For the first century Jew, however, that would be a different story altogether. In fact, if someone told a devout first-century Jew that the announcement of his Messiah was made to shepherds, he would immediately cry out, “Heresy!” Actually, if you said that his Messiah had already come he might cry “Heresy.” The Jewish understanding almost guarantees that they would never be able to say that their Messiah has come. They would be frightened to say so. To say that such and such a person is the Messiah when they are not is considered blasphemy. The punishment for blasphemy is being stoned to death. The reason they would cry “heresy” when you tell them the announcement was first made to a group of shepherds is because of the reputation of most shepherds. No group of people in all Israel was held in such moral contempt as shepherds, unless it is the tax collectors. No mother would ever hope and pray that her daughter would be married to a shepherd. We know that shepherds were forbidden to stay in a caravan stop, which would be much like our truck stops even though such a place was known to be a brothel. The shepherds were known to have sexual relations with their animals. To think that the announcement of the coming of the Messiah would be made to a group of shepherds would be just too much for a devout Jew to contemplate. If you said the announcement was made to a Scribe or Pharisee, that would be difficult, but far more acceptable than through a shepherd. If you told a devout Jew that the angels gave this announcement to the High Priest, again, it would be difficult, but much more acceptable than to a lowly shepherd. The misdeeds and plans of the Jewish priests was a poorly kept secret. Isn’t that just like God!! He doesn’t look for people of position, honor or power to carry His message, but seeks out the lowly. How much more lowly can you get than shepherd? Again, we have categories of sin which God does not recognize. Most first-century Jews knew that the High Priest was a sinner. He had to make a sacrifice for himself before he could intercede for his people. They were convinced that his sins were not nearly as bad as those of the shepherd. If God were going to make such an announcement, the High Priest would be the best candidate. But a Shepherd?! By the way, in Luke 2:8, the writer spoke of “the same region.” This is a reference to the area around Bethlehem. This is very helpful information. Jesus, at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem went to the temple and drove the people out who sold sacrificial lambs. It was a scam and everybody knew it. We know that the lambs that these people sold to worshippers who had come from some far-distant land, came from this particular area. It is interesting to note that the announcement of the coming of the Lamb of God came to shepherds who cared for the sheep who were to be offered in the temple sacrifices. |
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