So Jesus was born in a Manger…because there was No Room…“That there was no room in the inn was symbolic of what was to happen to Jesus. The only place where there was room for him was on a cross.” (Barclay)
After Jesus was born, there was one group that rushed “to the manger” – the shepherds! The shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 is a narrative that demonstrates the humble beginnings of the Messiah’s revelation to the world. In this passage we see the themes of divine revelation, immediate obedience, and joyful proclamation.
Shepherds were very much a “low brow” job in the ancient world. They often live outside of the community, protecting the sheep from robbers as well as predators. This often meant that shepherds were themselves ceremonially unclean. But their job was important – sheep were used as part of the sacrifices in the Temple, so people depended on shepherds. Today, their job equivalent culturally might be that of a sanitation worker – much appreciated, but a job that was often “dirty” and avoided by many! Yet, lowly and humble in society, yet God chose them as the first recipients of the news of Jesus’ birth. Night watch – is there a parallel with Christ (Light of the world) coming at during the night watch. God often chooses the humble and lowly to reveal His glory.
Bethlehem’s shepherds were known to care for the temple flock. These men may have also protected and cared for the lambs used in temple sacrifice.
The Angels proclaimed Jesus birth to this unlikely Rag Tag group of individuals. This, in itself, is an interesting point…The Angels were the first Evangelists who told the Good News…then the Angels “Passed the Torch” to the Shepherds (so to speak) and the shepherds then became the first human Evangelists!
“It is a lovely thought that the shepherds who looked after the Temple lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (Barclay)
Its interesting to note that the Angelic Proclamation regarding Jesus (The Light of the World) came in the night. The Shepherds experieced Joy in the Darknes!
The Shepherds made it…”widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
The combination of the angelic announcement and the sign of a child in a feeding trough inspired the shepherds to tell as many as they could of what they heard and experienced. The shepherd’s good news amazed all who heard it. Even if they didn’t really understand it, they recognized that something significant had happened.
“God, to show that he respected not persons, revealed this grand mystery to the shepherds and the wise men; the one poor, the other rich; the one learned, the other unlearned; the one Jews, the other Gentiles; the one near, the other far off.” (Trapp)
The shepherds had such happiness and praise to God because the word was fulfilled just as it was told them.
“Their zeal in glorifying and praising Godis an implied reproof of our indolence, or rather of our ingratitude. If the cradle of Christ had such an effect upon them, as to make them rise from the stable and the manger to heaven, how much more powerful ought the death and resurrection of Christ to be in raising us to God?” (Calvin)
The shepherds’ encounter with Jesus confirmed the angel’s message. Spreading the Good News – they couldn’t contain their joy and amazement, sharing the news with others, and all who heard were amazed. Praise and Glory – the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.
Are you willing to share your experiences of God’s work in your life with others?
How can you incorporate praise and glory of God into your daily routine?
Where will you find joy “At the Manger” this season?
