Where Are You, God? 30 First Encounters With GodSample

Day 11: The Shepherds - First to Hear of Jesus

Who would you choose to receive the most important announcement in human history? Religious leaders? Political dignitaries? Wealthy merchants? God chose none of these.

Instead, He chose shepherds.

These men were society's outcasts—considered unclean and unreliable witnesses, excluded from respectable society. Their ritual uncleanness prevented them from participating in temple worship. Yet ironically, they were caring for lambs that might be used for temple sacrifice. Working the night shift during lambing season, they were as far from the centers of power and prestige as possible.

Heaven Breaks Into Ordinary Work

While these forgotten men tended their flocks, heaven suddenly invaded earth. "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them" (Luke 2:9). God chose the marginalized for His first announcement—not the religious establishment, but working-class men doing their ordinary jobs.

The angel's message was extraordinary: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). Universal good news delivered to local outcasts! The sign? A baby in a manger—the most humble beginning imaginable.

From Outcasts to Evangelists

The shepherds' response was immediate: "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened" (Luke 2:15). They became the first evangelists of the gospel, spreading the word about what they had witnessed. "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20).

God's Upside-Down Kingdom

This divine choice set the tone for Jesus' entire ministry—its first announcement was to society's rejects, not the religious elite. God values the humble and overlooked. The Gospel breaks down social barriers from the very beginning.

Your Field

God is still using ordinary people for extraordinary announcements. Your background doesn't disqualify you from being His messenger. Like those shepherds, you may be exactly who God wants to use to share the good news with others!

From fields to the world—the Gospel spreads through unlikely messengers like you.