THE ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS

LUKE 2:15-18, 20


      When God announced the incarnation of His Son from heaven, He selected shepherds as the first recipients of the angel’s announcement.

 

•          Good shepherds (2:8; cf. Ex. 3:1; 1 Sam. 16:11; Ps. 78:70; Amos 7:15; Jn. 10:11-12)

•          Graced shepherds (2:9-12)

•          Going shepherds (2:15-16)

•          Gospel shepherds (2:17-18)

•          Grateful shepherds (2:20)


1 Cor. 1:26-29 [NIV]. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

 27. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

 28. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are,

 29. so that no one may boast before him.


  I. How shepherds came to Jesus (2:15-16)

 

•          Godward

•          Manward


      A. Shepherds came to Jesus by divine revelation (15).


          1. Word (ρημα; Acts 5:20; Rom. 10:17)


      Luke frequently used the term rheema (Lk. 1:37-38, 2:15-17-19) in the birth narratives of Jesus.


          2. Witness (εγνωρισεν; 1 Cor. 15:1)


              a. Heard (ηκουσαν)


              b. Seen (ειδον)


      One day a man came to Joseph Parker and asked him: “Why did the Lord choose Judas, one of the twelve who betrayed him?” The humble preacher replied, “I am not able to answer, but the great mystery to me is not why he chose Judas, but why should the Lord have chosen me.”


      B. Shepherds came to Jesus by diligent research (16).


          1. Quickly (σπευσαντες; Lk. 19:5-6)


          2. Questions (ανευραν)


      Keep eagerly searching the written word for the Living Word. To know Christ, believers must keep hungering for the Word. Jesus unveils the unfathomable riches of Himself to those who diligently seek Him.


Mt. 5:6. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.


      A. W. Tozer wrote this prayer in the book The Pursuit of God, “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.” Endnote


 II. How shepherds talked about Jesus (2:17-18)


      The shepherds talked about Jesus as “laymen.” Warren Wiersbe said, “I used to say, when I go visiting the lost, they look upon me as a paid salesman. But when you go out to witness, they see you as a satisfied customer!” Endnote


      A. Shepherds talked about Jesus evangelistically (17).


          1. Jesus as Savior


          2. Jesus as Christ


          3. Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9)


      B. Shepherds talked about Jesus enthusiastically (18).


      Keep joyfully spreading the wonderful witness for the lost world. Christ draws near as believers keep sharing the amazing story of His love. The wonderful good news of His birth multiplies when others experience the new birth.


III. How shepherds left from Jesus (2:20)


      The Bible did not attach any significance to Christmas day but rather to the life-changing and day-by-day difference Jesus made to those who met Him.


      A. Shepherds left from Jesus with glory (δοξαζοντες; Lk. 17:15).


      B. Shepherds left from Jesus with praise (αινουντες; Acts 2:47).


      Keep humbly savoring the wondrous work for the least worthy. All believers should keep reflecting on why God elected them by His grace. The most unlikely ones whom God chose to go to Bethlehem knew they should praise the riches of His kindness.


O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, come ye to Bethlehem!

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels!

O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord! (John Wade)