Christmas Morning: Son Rise on a New Dayનમૂનો

In the hills surrounding Bethlehem, shepherds still herd sheep just as they did 2,000 years ago on the night Jesus was born. Shepherds have been a fixture in this area going all the way back to King David, who lived 3,000 years ago!

Bethlehem is less than ten miles from Jerusalem, so it was a convenient place for the Temple herds to be raised. The Jewish Old Covenant system included the sacrifice of sheep at the Passover, and those animals had to be raised somewhere. While it cannot be determined with certainty if these shepherds in Luke 2:8 were tending the Temple herds, it is likely for more than just geographical reasons.

No detail is insignificant in the birth of Jesus. After all, God had planned for this day for a very long time! Jesus being born in Bethlehem fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2, as we saw a couple of days ago in this reading plan. But why Bethlehem? Why the shepherds?

Two things stand out:

First, Jesus would be known as the “Lamb of God.” This title is declared by John the Baptist in John 1:29 and is repeated often in the book of Revelation. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, had come to take away the sins of all who trust in Him. Given this identity, how appropriate that the shepherds tending the sacrificial lambs would be invited to the party!

Second, as we saw in Luke 1, Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would sit on “David’s throne.” David was a shepherd from Bethlehem before he ever became a military hero or King. The symbolism of David’s promised descendant being visited by those working the same job David had as a kid is rich!

So, in Luke 2:8, we see that the shepherds of Bethlehem were watching their flock at night when they received a startling visit … something we will look at more over the next few days. But today, let us soak in this symbolism. Jesus, the Lamb of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. The Old Testament sacrifices were shadows and symbols, but Jesus’ death made the final and very real payment for the sins of all who trust in Him. Do you know and trust in the Lamb of God?

Jesus is both our Good Shepherd and our sacrifice.