Lucas 2

Lucas 2

Boice – “This rural nomadic folk were a despised class in the 1st cent. Also, they were considered unreliable & therefore were not even allowed to give testimony in the law courts.” The Egyptians – “Every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” (Ge 46:34) [Joseph wouldn’t even eat w/his brothers] Others described them as, “a meditative class of men, accustomed to the sweet silence of nature, apart from the bustle & stir of cities, invited to quiet communion w/their own hearts.” Shepherds were the 1st profession mentioned in the bible, “Abel was a keeper of sheep.” (Gen.4:2) Interesting this 1st shepherd was the 1st blood sacrifice! Christ, later called the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 to find the Here, we have these shepherds leaving their sheep to locate this One Lamb! (i.e. of God) Q: Is there any other profession that would be more excited about a Lamb being born? And so, the 1st Tidings of Great Joy was brought to “Shaggy Shepherds!” The Shepherds Reverence! It was a momentary fear! They were gravely aware of the great gulf between God & man. Signs indicate divine intervention into history. But none is more dramatic than the angels’ announcement to the shepherds of Jesus’ birth.