Common
Shepherds, 15 December 2024
15 12 24 Filed in: Sermons | The Glory of Christmas
Shepherd: Jesus is for Everyone
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 15, 2024
Luke 2:8-15
Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.
Big Idea: God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today because Jesus is for everyone.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-15
The Kingdom of God is upside down! For two thousand years, we have been following a God who said,
“…the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
So, it should be no surprise that God chose society’s misfits, the least of these, common shepherds to be given the highest honor, a cosmic multi-media extravaganza followed by a front-row seat at the birthplace of the King of kings…because Jesus is for everyone!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8-9)
Three weeks into this series. Three appearances by angels. This time the LORD’s radiance surrounded them. I can’t imagine such an experience ever, but especially at night, piercing the darkness. I would be terrified, too!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)
Angels are always saying, “Fear not!” It’s actually the most common command in the entire Bible, not only spoken by angels, but by the LORD. Obviously, the celestial creature appearing at night was terrifying, but the startling surprise was a good one…a great one!
Good news. Who could use a little good news today?
Great joy. Our world desperately needs it.
For all the people. Male and female. Jew and Gentile. Young and old. Buckeye and Wolverine! Jesus is for everyone!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)
The long-awaited Messiah has arrived! I’m quite sure Jesus was the only baby that night in a feeding trough, but how exactly were they supposed to find child? I’m sure this wasn’t the only manger in Bethlehem! The manger itself was nothing special, merely a signpost for the shepherds.
Just when they thought this experience couldn’t get any bigger…
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
If one angel was scary, imagine this multi-media extravaganza! What did they announce? Glory to God. Peace—shalom, wholeness, well-being, completeness—on earth.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)
Good idea! Can you imagine?
Most of us don’t know much about shepherds. Are there any in Findlay? They were outcasts in Israel. They couldn’t testify in court. They were ceremonially unclean from their work…which kept them out of the temple for weeks so they could not be made clean. We don’t think much about these things today, but for Jews then, it was a big deal.
These were likely Levitical shepherds who raised the sheep used in temple sacrifices. Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity…
…the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b)
Sacrificial lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloth to keep them from becoming injured or bruised. Did you catch that?! Only perfect lambs were suitable for a sacrifice at the temple.
These lowly shepherds receive the birth announcement of the Messiah. They get a free show in the sky, better than any fireworks or drone performance. They go to see this baby, the perfect sacrifice…the Good Shepherd himself!
We noted last week how Mary and Joseph were poor, bringing birds to the temple dedication of Jesus because they couldn’t afford a lamb (Luke 2:24).
The shepherds get a little more time in the biblical spotlight.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)
They wasted no time. They hurried off. Things were just as the angel declared. God always keeps His promises.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18)
They were the first evangelists of the Messiah’s birth, sharing good news. The people were amazed at what the shepherds said. What an honor to proclaim the birth of the King of kings. Today, we are all called to share the gospel, “good news,” with others. What a privilege! What a joy!
Unless you’re a history buff, you might not know Augustus Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, turned Rome into an empire, with himself at the head (of course!). He announced that he had brought peace and justice to the entire world and proclaimed himself as ‘son of god.’ We often think of words like savior and lord in the context of Jesus, but these were words associated with Caesar. The contrast between Caesar and Jesus could not be greater!
The shepherds understood the significance of this birth not only from a prophetic, Messianic perspective but also a power and authority sense.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
We talked about Mary two weeks ago, but her character was so unique. Nobody in human history has ever experienced many of the things she experienced, including this unusual birth and birth announcement.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)
God always keeps His promises.
So What?
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to kings. After all, Jesus is the King of kings.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the rich. After all, everything we have belongs to God.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the famous. After all, Jesus is the greatest figure in human history.
But in God’s upside-down Kingdom, God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today.
He sent the greatest gift ever to a poor family. The lowest in the land was given the highest honor.
That gives me hope. I’m nothing special. I don’t have royal blood, a silver spoon, a genius mind, or powerful friends.
Jesus is for everyone.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)
God so loved the world. All nations. All peoples. Jesus is for everyone. He’s the greatest gift, yours for the taking. He is Savior to those who receive him as LORD? Have you received Him?
The Glory of Christmas: The Skit Guys
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
December 15, 2024
Luke 2:8-15
Series Big Idea: The Glory of Christmas is all about Jesus.
Big Idea: God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today because Jesus is for everyone.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-15
The Kingdom of God is upside down! For two thousand years, we have been following a God who said,
“…the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Matthew 20:16)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)
"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)
So, it should be no surprise that God chose society’s misfits, the least of these, common shepherds to be given the highest honor, a cosmic multi-media extravaganza followed by a front-row seat at the birthplace of the King of kings…because Jesus is for everyone!
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8-9)
Three weeks into this series. Three appearances by angels. This time the LORD’s radiance surrounded them. I can’t imagine such an experience ever, but especially at night, piercing the darkness. I would be terrified, too!
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)
Angels are always saying, “Fear not!” It’s actually the most common command in the entire Bible, not only spoken by angels, but by the LORD. Obviously, the celestial creature appearing at night was terrifying, but the startling surprise was a good one…a great one!
Good news. Who could use a little good news today?
Great joy. Our world desperately needs it.
For all the people. Male and female. Jew and Gentile. Young and old. Buckeye and Wolverine! Jesus is for everyone!
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)
The long-awaited Messiah has arrived! I’m quite sure Jesus was the only baby that night in a feeding trough, but how exactly were they supposed to find child? I’m sure this wasn’t the only manger in Bethlehem! The manger itself was nothing special, merely a signpost for the shepherds.
Just when they thought this experience couldn’t get any bigger…
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
If one angel was scary, imagine this multi-media extravaganza! What did they announce? Glory to God. Peace—shalom, wholeness, well-being, completeness—on earth.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)
Good idea! Can you imagine?
Most of us don’t know much about shepherds. Are there any in Findlay? They were outcasts in Israel. They couldn’t testify in court. They were ceremonially unclean from their work…which kept them out of the temple for weeks so they could not be made clean. We don’t think much about these things today, but for Jews then, it was a big deal.
These were likely Levitical shepherds who raised the sheep used in temple sacrifices. Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity…
…the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29b)
Sacrificial lambs were wrapped in swaddling cloth to keep them from becoming injured or bruised. Did you catch that?! Only perfect lambs were suitable for a sacrifice at the temple.
These lowly shepherds receive the birth announcement of the Messiah. They get a free show in the sky, better than any fireworks or drone performance. They go to see this baby, the perfect sacrifice…the Good Shepherd himself!
We noted last week how Mary and Joseph were poor, bringing birds to the temple dedication of Jesus because they couldn’t afford a lamb (Luke 2:24).
The shepherds get a little more time in the biblical spotlight.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:16)
They wasted no time. They hurried off. Things were just as the angel declared. God always keeps His promises.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18)
They were the first evangelists of the Messiah’s birth, sharing good news. The people were amazed at what the shepherds said. What an honor to proclaim the birth of the King of kings. Today, we are all called to share the gospel, “good news,” with others. What a privilege! What a joy!
Unless you’re a history buff, you might not know Augustus Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, turned Rome into an empire, with himself at the head (of course!). He announced that he had brought peace and justice to the entire world and proclaimed himself as ‘son of god.’ We often think of words like savior and lord in the context of Jesus, but these were words associated with Caesar. The contrast between Caesar and Jesus could not be greater!
The shepherds understood the significance of this birth not only from a prophetic, Messianic perspective but also a power and authority sense.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
We talked about Mary two weeks ago, but her character was so unique. Nobody in human history has ever experienced many of the things she experienced, including this unusual birth and birth announcement.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)
God always keeps His promises.
So What?
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to kings. After all, Jesus is the King of kings.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the rich. After all, everything we have belongs to God.
God could’ve announced the birth of Jesus to the famous. After all, Jesus is the greatest figure in human history.
But in God’s upside-down Kingdom, God chose society’s misfits—the least of these—to be given the highest honor…and He continues to do so today.
He sent the greatest gift ever to a poor family. The lowest in the land was given the highest honor.
That gives me hope. I’m nothing special. I don’t have royal blood, a silver spoon, a genius mind, or powerful friends.
Jesus is for everyone.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)
God so loved the world. All nations. All peoples. Jesus is for everyone. He’s the greatest gift, yours for the taking. He is Savior to those who receive him as LORD? Have you received Him?