TOPIC:“The Searching of the Shepherds” (Christmas Sermon)
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:St. Luke 2:8-20
“The shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which has come to pass.” (Luke 2:15)
Within a few days we shall be celebrating the most joyful event the world has ever known - the birth of Jesus Christ. His coming into the stream of humanity by means of the incarnation is one of the most wonderful mysteries of divine love. God coming to live among us in the tiny dimensions of the Babe of Bethlehem. Think of it: The God who made Eve without the help of a woman made Christ without the help of a man.
And in this story of divine love we have the announcement of the birth of Jesus to the humble shepherds. That raises a very interesting question: Why did God make this divine announcement to these plain and ordinary shepherds instead of to the high and mighty leaders of that time? As a matter of fact, why wasn't Jesus born in elegant Rome instead of unknown Bethlehem? Why was He born in a cave instead of a castle? I believe it was because God wanted to make certain that the good news of salvation reaches all people - both Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, black and white, the wise and foolish.
We need to know at this point that taking care of sheep according to the Jews was looked upon with contempt. Shepherds were despised. It was an ugly profession. The Jews had lack of respect for those herdsmen who no doubt provided the lambs for the Temple sacrifices during the time of the Passover. Animal sacrifices were still being used to provide a covering of sin in Jesus' day.
Now God will always come first to those with a humble heart. Consider what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Brethren, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were of noble birth. 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. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…” (I Corinthians 1:26-28). So it was into that night of nights that the announcement of the birth of Jesus was given to these humble shepherds.
Let's take a few moments to consider four characteristics about these shepherds.
I.
Consider, first of all, the RESOLVE of these seeking shepherds. We read in verse 15 these words: “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem…” At first according to . . .