SHEPHERDS SHAKING IN THEIR SANDALS

And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:  Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 (BSB)

Shepherds were a despised class because their work prevented them from keeping the ceremonial law, and as they moved about the country it was common for them to be regarded as thieves. They were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give evidence in the courts.

Sproul, R. C. ESV Reformation Study Bible

Shepherds were on one of the lowest rungs of society’s ladder. That God chose to announce the birth of His Son first to this group of people is evidence that He shows no partiality of class. His interest is solely in the hearts of humanity, not where they are on the socio-economic strata. He invited the shepherds who may have been tending the sacrificial lambs to be the first to worship the perfect Lamb of God. They were allowed VIP access even before the Magi, the wise men, from the east.  The shepherds were terrified or as the KJV puts it “sore afraid.” The shepherds were shaking in their sandals! Imagine how you would respond if you were out in the middle of nowhere on a pitch-black night, and suddenly the sky lit up like daylight! When angels appear, the first response is to fall on your face afraid.  Angels almost always begin with “Fear not!” because their appearance can be overwhelming. There are 365 “fear nots” in the Bible—one for each day of the year.  This angel declared he had something good to tell them—joyful news of the Messiah’s birth. The fact that the angels said the good news was for ALL people would be most important to these shepherds who were considered second-class citizens. They were viewed almost as the homeless are today—dirty, unworthy, and possibly criminals. The Angel used three names to describe the baby: Savior (Liberator), Christ or Messiah (Anointed One), and Lord (Supreme Authority). The amazing thing to these men was that He was born for them! He was the Messiah of the underdog as well as the top dog! To their astonishment, they were told that this Baby King was born in a stable and would actually be lying where the cattle fed! The shepherds themselves had probably been born somewhere better than a stable!

The Lord invited the lowliest people, shepherds, to be the first to see the baby Jesus. In the same way, He first appeared to women (another group who could not testify in court) after His resurrection. Never think of yourself as below God’s notice. Jesus esteems people very differently than our society.

Father, thank You that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8b)!