The Shepherds Who Saw the Lamb

Many of us wish we could see angels shining brilliantly with God’s glorious light, but usually when angels appear in the Bible, people are frightened as a response, much like these lowly shepherds on the hillside near Bethlehem. Maybe they were partly terrified thinking why would an angel appear to them of all people? It must be portents of danger rather than glad tidings.

What is astonishing is these shepherds were the first to learn of the birth and the first invited to visit the newborn Savior of the world. Is this another example of God’s heart for the humble and lowly? Was it because Israel was promised a better king who would more wisely and justly shepherd His people Israel (Ezekiel 34, John 10:11-18)? Was it because David himself lived the life of such a shepherd before He was King? Perhaps all of these and more.

It is not widely known, but a few scholars such Alfred Edersheim (1825-89) have also claimed that these were not ordinary shepherds, at least not in the sense of taking care of ordinary sheep meant for food or clothing. The sheep that were raised for Temple sacrifices came from Bethlehem hillsides, known in the Old Testament by the name of Midgal Eder or Tower of the Flock (Micah 4:8). The choice of these shepherds was not just because of proximity to the birthplace but very possibly because they would be the first to witness the lamb of God wrapped in a swaddling cloth and a manger (Luke 2:7, 12) meant for newborn sacrificial lambs.

How astonished these shepherds must have been to consider that the birth of the Christ of Israel would be witnessed in such a place, and with what haste they would run to see this wonder with their own eyes. Jesus was the coming King, but the King would, before taking up His exalted throne, lay down His life as a sacrifice to finish the law of atoning blood sacrifices that pointed forward to Him (Revelation 5:6).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I honor your coming as not only sovereign and exalted King but my humble sacrifice, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You are the true Shepherd, the wisest and just Leader and King that I need, to whom I gladly offer my highest allegiance and obedience in love because You first loved me.

May I rejoice with the shepherds and be in awe of this wonder that the good news for the world—the Leader and King that I long for—came wrapped in the gift of sacrificial love. With the shepherds whose first reaction to the angels was fear, I praise You that you were not born into the world to judge it but to save it – something that even astounds the angels.

Amen.