Lesson: Luke 2:8-20
Golden Text: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them” (Luke 2:20).
I.
INTRODUCTION.
The first people to hear the news of Christ’s birth were a
group of shepherds. God sent His angels to announce the good news
to the lowliest of people in first century society. The simple
people who first greeted the Baby Jesus turned to God in grateful praise and
adoration. They realized His goodness in the gift of His Son as
the Saviour of the world.
II.
BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON.
At the time
of Jesus’ birth, the Romans ruled over the entire
Mediterranean world. The Romans brought considerable peace and
prosperity to their subjects, but at the steep cost of military and economic
control. To finance its grand endeavors, Rome exacted taxes from
the people under its authority. As the time for Jesus birth
approached, Joseph and Mary were living in their hometown of Nazareth, in the
northern part of Israel, or Palestine as the Romans called it. It
was well-known by the Jews that Micah 5:2 had prophesied that the Messiah would
be born in Bethlehem, far to the south of Nazareth in the ancient tribal area of
Judah. God then worked in a most remarkable way in order to
fulfill the ancient prophecy. He moved in the mind of Augustus,
the Roman emperor, to decree a mandatory registration for taxes (see Luke
2:1). This registration required that each person return to his
ancestral city for the census (see Luke 2:3-5). What Augustus
didn’t realize was that the Lord was using him to get Joseph and Mary to
Bethlehem in time for Jesus to be born there, just as Micah had prophesied seven
hundred years before. It might have appeared that Rome was firmly
in control, but in fact the Lord was using the Roman emperor to accomplish His
own divine plan. Both Joseph and Mary were descended from the
royal line of David so they had to go to Bethlehem, David’s home town for the
census (see Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38). Even though Mary’s
pregnancy must have made the trip very difficult for them, they obeyed the
imperial edict. God was lining up all the details so the His Son
could be born at the right time and at the right place. Bethlehem
was just a small village and apparently was unprepared to accommodate all those
who returned there for the tax registration. When Joseph and Mary
arrived, it seems there was no room left for them in the inn; consequently, they
had to stay with the animals in the stable. It was in this humble
setting that the Son of God was born (see Luke 2:6-7).III. THE MISSION OF THE ANGELS (Luke 2:8-14)
A. Preparing the shepherds (Luke 2:8-9).
1. (vs. 8). In this verse Luke writes “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” These shepherds were out in the fields in the “same country” meaning the area around Bethlehem. Throughout the night they kept watch over their sheep, protecting them from attack by thieves and wild animals. Note: The shepherds’ presence in the fields has led some to believe that Jesus was born in the summertime and not the winter. However, it may be that these flocks were intended to be used for the temple sacrifices, so it was not uncommon to find such flocks in the fields around Bethlehem even in the winter months. This means that we cannot rule out the traditional date for the birth of the Saviour.
2. (vs. 9). This verse says “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.” All of a sudden an angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds. The “angel of the Lord” is not named, but he cannot be the “Angel of the Lord” who appeared in the Old Testament (see Genesis 16:7-13; 22:15-16; Judges 13: 21-22). That Angel was the Lord Himself, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. He didn’t bring messages, He made promises that only God could make. The angel in our text was bringing a message announcing Christ’s birth. When the angel appeared to the shepherds “the glory of the Lord shone round about them” meaning that God’s glory brightened the night around them. The “glory of the Lord” that spreaded its light around the shepherds perhaps could be compared to God’s glory that Israel saw in Old Testament times (see Exodus 16:10; 24:16-17; 40: 34-35). In fact, this may have been God’s Shekinah glory that appeared over the tabernacle (see Exodus 40:34-38). If it was this glory, it had not been seen since Ezekiel’s day some five hundred years earlier, and interestingly, God chose to reveal it once again to humble shepherds. Note: Shepherds had a reputation for being dishonest and unclean. They were essentially outcast of society. This should remind us that God’s ways are not our ways (see Isaiah 5:8). Only God knows the hearts of people. He delights in using even the least among us to accomplish His will. Upon seeing this sight, the shepherds “were sore afraid” meaning they were gripped with fear or terrified. This was a normal human reaction to a display of such divine glory.
B. Reassuring the shepherds (Luke 2:10). At this point the angel says to the shepherds “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” The angel began his announcement by calming the shepherds’ fear with the command “Fear not.” Their fear was understandable, but it had to be overcome if they were to understand and appreciate God’s good news. The angel then gave the reason why they need not be afraid: “for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” The spectacular display that the shepherds had witnessed signified good news not doom. The term “good tidings” comes from a Greek word that is often translated “gospel.” The gospel is “good tidings” or “good news.” The joy brought by the “good tidings” that the angel was announcing was “great joy” not merely one of the simple pleasures of life. The angel also said that the good tidings of great joy “shall be to all people.” This expression referred primarily to the people of Israel, although we learn from other Scriptures that Christ’s blessings have brought joy to countless Gentiles as well. Luke was writing primarily to Gentiles (see Luke 1:3) so he may have been hinting at how Jesus’ birth would affect the whole world.
C. Informing the shepherds (Luke 2:11-12).
1. (vs. 11). In this verse, the angel gave the reason for the good news. He said “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The cause for joy was the birth of a “Saviour.” The word “Saviour” speaks of someone who rescues or delivers from either physical or spiritual calamities. As “Saviour” Jesus would deliver His people from the penalty and power of sin (see Matthew 1:21). In the phrase “unto you,” the pronoun “you” is plural meaning it could include all Israelites. However, at the very least it included the shepherds, the ones many would expect God to overlook. The Messiah belonged to them, not just to the religious and political elite. In a very real sense, by application “unto you” refers to the entire human race. This Saviour was also identified as “Christ the Lord.” The term “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah” which means “anointed One.” The shepherds would understand that the newborn child was the promised King of David’s lineage. From the word “Lord” they also would know that this King would be divine. Note: Although the unsaved don’t recognize the lordship of Jesus Christ right now, one day they will (see Philippians 2:10-11). At the end of the tribulation, the Son of God will return to earth in great power and glory. He will then be recognized as King of kings and Lord of lords (see Revelations 19:16). The angel added one more detail as evidence to the shepherds of the Babe’s credentials. The child “is born this day in the city of David.” Already that day a Deliverer had been born. He was not the military captain coming to free them from Rome that many of the Jews expected. He came as a baby lying in a manger. Many of the upper crust of society wouldn’t have believed this message anyway, so it was fitting that it was given to shepherds. When they were told that this birth had taken place in “the city of David” they immediately knew the angel was referring to Bethlehem, David’s hometown (see I Samuel 16:1-13). What wonderful news! It was happening right there in the nearest town!
2. (vs. 12). The angel continued to say “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Just in case the shepherds had any doubts about the angel’s message, they could verify it through a “sign” which would also help them identify the right child. The “sign” would be finding “the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” The words “swaddling clothes” refers to swaddling bands. These bands were narrow strips of cloth that were wrapped around a baby. This was believed to ensure the correct development of the baby’s limbs. “Lying in a manger” or a feeding trough was the least likely place the shepherds would expect to find the Messiah. But this was a foretaste of Jesus’ entire earthly life. Perhaps other babies had been born in Bethlehem that night, but only one of them would be found in this situation. He was so majestic in His Person, yet so humble in His message. Jesus would identify with the lowly (see Luke 1:50-53) and no one was so low that they couldn’t be reached by His grace.
D. Praising the Saviour (Luke 2:13-14).
1. (vs. 13). Now at this point Luke says “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying.” Suddenly and unexpectedly, there appeared with the angel “a multitude of the heavenly host.” The term “host” means “army” referring to a large number. Huge numbers of angels serve God continually (see Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11), and it appears that He sent a sizeable contingent of them to add their praises to those of the chief angelic messenger sent on this special night. This celestial chorus of angels were “praising God” for providing His Son.
2. (vs. 14). The praise this heavenly chorus was giving God was “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” These words spoken by the angelic host express two facts made possible by Christ’s birth. The first fact is “Glory to God in the highest.” Glory is the high esteem that goes to God through His attributes and works. Glory belongs to Him because He is God, but here it is acknowledged and publicly declared by the angels as they see God’s glory manifested in Jesus’ birth. Although God Himself is the “highest,” in this verse the word “highest” refers to the heavenly realm in which He dwells. The angels also declared “and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The One whom God had sent into the world would provide peace, not through the acts of war, but through the internal transformation power of His gospel. Through Jesus’ death He would both reconcile men to God and to their brothers (II Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:11-18; Colossians 1:20). Some choose not to accept His peace, but that does not change the fact that peace has come to the earth. The phrase “good will toward men” simply means that in the birth of Jesus, God not only offers His peace to all, but also offers His goodness.
IV. THE MISSION OF THE SHEPHERDS (Luke 2:15-17)
A. The shepherds’ investigation (Luke 2: 15-20).
1. (vs. 15). Here Luke says “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” The phrase “And it came to pass” does not necessarily mean that it was a long while before the angels left the shepherds and returned to heaven, although I’m sure they were in no hurry to end their praises to God. This phrase “And it came to pass” is used over three hundred times in the Old Testament to present the beginning of what was about to take place. It’s a Hebraic idiom used to begin a narrative of events. After the angels left, the “shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem.” The shepherds were clearly men of faith, for they agreed among themselves to go straight to Bethlehem. The shepherds didn’t go there to see if God’s word was true. They went because they were eager to “see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Their intention was to see for themselves what God had brought about. It was an event the Lord had been gracious enough to reveal to them. Note: God, in His infinite wisdom, chose lowly shepherds to be the first to hear of the Saviour’s birth. He didn’t choose highbrow philosophers, kings or princes of the palace court, or men of military might. He instead sought out lowly shepherds to hear the joyful words of Christ’s coming.
2. (vs. 16). We are told here that the shepherds “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” In proper response to the messianic proclamation, the shepherds “came with haste” meaning they hurried off to Bethlehem. They eventually “found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” The word “found” implies discovering after searching. The shepherds found the scene just as the angel of the Lord had said (see verse 12). The unusual sight of a beloved baby being cradled in a feeding trough was the sign by which they knew this child was Saviour, Christ, and Lord. Note: The nature and length of their search are not given, but considering what they were looking for, it probably involved perseverance along with disappointment and ridicule. When they finally saw the Babe in the manger, their faith was rewarded.
B. The shepherds spread the news (Luke 2:17-18).
1. (vs. 17). This verse says “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” The shepherds now became the first public witnesses to Jesus’ birth. Besides Joseph and Mary, they were the first persons to see Jesus. However, they couldn’t keep to themselves what they had experienced, so they also became the first witnesses to speak of Jesus. The phrase “And when they had seen it” refers to the entire manger scene. The shepherds’ response was to make “known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Their words were based on what they had seen and heard. They had first heard the message from the angel that this One was the Saviour, the Christ, and the Lord. Then after seeing Him, they were ready to relate the angelic message to others. The word “abroad” indicates that the shepherds intentionally went about the area telling people what they had seen and heard. Note: This is a model for our witness today concerning Christ. The message of His salvation has been given to us in Scripture: but before we are qualified to share it, we must come to the Saviour ourselves, verifying the truth of the message personally. Only then are we able to share God’s salvation message boldly and without compromise. We must not focus merely on our experience when witnessing, but like the shepherds, we are to make known the saying told us concerning Him. Experience may verify facts, but it never replaces the revelation of God. Proper evangelism must be Bible-centered to be authoritative. If we don’t know it, we can’t share it!
2. (18). This verse gives us the reaction of the people who heard the message from the shepherds. It says “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Everyone who heard what the shepherds had to say “wondered at those things.” The word “wondered” means “amazed” or “astonished.” No doubt, the messengers (the shepherds), the announcement by the angels, and the circumstances of Jesus’ birth (in a stable) was enough to amaze the people.
C. Encouraging Mary (Luke 2:19). This verse says “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Mary’s response to all that had happened was that she “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” The word “kept” means “to protect” or “to hold up” or “treasure up” as in one’s memory. Even though Mary may have never spoke of those things, she treasured all that the shepherds said and “pondered” or continued to think about those things in her heart. She meditated on what God had done. No doubt there were many things that Mary didn’t completely understand. However, the assurance the shepherds gave concerning her son as Saviour, Christ and Lord would remove any doubts she may have as she tried to understand her son’s divine role.
D. Praising God (Luke 2:20). Our final verse says “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” The phrase “And the shepherds returned” indicates that they returned to their duties once they had completed their divinely appointed mission. However, as they went, they did the same thing the angels did, they were “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen.” They gave God glory and praised Him for everything that “they had heard and seen.” This included the angelic appearance, and the news of the newly arrived Messiah, who is also Lord and Saviour. “All the things that they had heard and seen” culminated with the shepherds’ personal encounter with the Christ Child. The phrase “as it was told unto them” means that everything the angels told the shepherds was found just as they said. Note: The shepherds had a public response to their good news. What they had seen and heard filled them with appreciation for God. This gratitude overflowed into verbal praise by which they glorified God. Everything had been just as the angel had said it would be. This prompted the shepherds to declare to others the greatness and goodness of the Lord.
V. Conclusion. At God’s appointed time, His Son was born into the world. That concept is difficult to grasp, but the reality of it is essential to our eternal salvation. This was a glorious event in God’s program of redemption, duly announced by God’s shining ambassadors, the angels. Upon whom did God lavish this heavenly extravaganza? Lowly Judean shepherds were the direct beneficiaries of this great revelation. The result of the shepherds meeting the Baby Jesus was first to worship Him with great joy and then to tell others about what had happened. That’s what mission is all about. As someone has said, evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. While we can’t fully understand the incarnation (Jesus becoming human) we can appreciate the fact that the Son of God humbled Himself to become a man and to be “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (see Philippians 2:8), so that we might have eternal life. He is worthy of the praise of men and angels, and He is worthy of our praise today. May we continually join together in giving God the glory that He is worthy of.
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