The Real Mary: Mary and the Shepherds

​INTRODUCTION
We are in the third week of our four-week Christmas series entitled THE REAL MARY.  This series is designed for us, as evangelicals, to gain a biblical view of who Mary, the mother of Jesus, was and how this biblical view should give us a proper perspective and understanding as to who she is.  
 
There have been men and women throughout history who were ordinary people who went on to do extraordinary things in their lives for the glory of God.  Men like A.W. Tozer, D.L. Moody, G. Campbell Morgan, George Mueller, and Charles Stanley all really had no formal training in ministry, but they all became some the most well-known and respected teachers of God’s Word in history.  They were simple men who were filled with the Holy Spirit and sought to be used by God.  
 
Today as we continue our series I am going to spend some time in Luke 2:8 – 20 as we look at Mary’s visit from the shepherds.  In all transparency I will spend most of our time together talking about the shepherds and then concluding with Mary’s response.  My goal is to remind us once again how God so often uses ordinary average men and women like you and me to accomplish his extraordinary will and purpose, especially in the Nativity account.  We certainly see this truth today as I talk about the shepherds as they meet the young, new mother Mary.  To outline the message for you I will focus our time together on these five talking points… 

1. The job of shepherding.  
2. What the shepherds tell us about the Christmas story.  
3. Why did God bring the Good News to the Shepherds?
4. What we can learn from the shepherds? 

1. Mary’s response (Vs 16 – 19)

 
Luke1: 8 – 20
The Job of Shepherding
Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations in history.  It is believed to have its beginnings about 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor.  In many societies shepherding was important to the economy.  However, the occupation of shepherding was also considered a lowly job and Shepherd’s themselves were looked down upon as lowly and insignificant.  They were largely nomadic and lived solitary lives away from society.
 
According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. “In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief.”[1]
 
What Do the Shepherds Teach Us About Christmas?
Vs 8: When Jesus’ birthday is not – On the basis of the statement that the shepherds were living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night it is often suggested that Jesus’ birth took place in early spring, since it was only at lambing time that shepherds stood guard over their flocks in the field.  Luke says nothing about the actual date, and it remains quite unknown[2]   December 25th was not chosen until around 306 to 377 A.D, which was the time of the emperor Constantine. Luke says nothing about the actual date, and it remains quite unknown[3]  Many believe that December 25thwas chosen as the date to celebrate Christ’s birth because it coincided with the Roman pagan festival Saturnalia and Christians could celebrate Jesus’ birth without fear of persecution.   
 
Vs 11: Their faith – Christmas can be considered a time for renewing our faith in Jesus Christ.   It is a time where we can reflect on the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ that God gave to us and the hope of his eventual return.  We see in the shepherds their great faith.  They knew something was special about this baby – Their encounter with the Angel convinced them to leave the place where their sheep were and guide them to the town of Bethlehem.  I am sure they did not fully know what they were looking for, all they knew was an angel proclaimed this good news to them and they set out to search for this baby who is slated to be King.  
 
Why Did God Bring the Good News to the Shepherd’s First? 
We are not certain why God chose to reveal his message of hope and salvation to the shepherds.  We do know that Jesus is often associated with shepherds, shepherding, and sheep throughout the N.T. and this is significant because...

1.     The Shepherds lived In Humility: When the angels visited the shepherds, he revealed the grace of God toward humanity. Shepherds were considered outcasts in the Israelite society. Their work not only made them ceremonially unclean, but it kept them away from the temple for weeks at a time so that they could not be made clean.  Thus, they were not well educated in the word of God.  For unknown reasons Shepherds were not allowed to testify in court, yet God chose them to be witnesses to testify the birth of the Savior of the World.  
 
2.     Jesus is the Good Shepherd:  Jesus is described as the good shepherd and he is called this because he lays down his life for the sheep.  Any good shepherd will risk his life for his sheep.  He will fight off beasts; he will rescue them from dangerous places, and he would be willing to die to keep his sheep safe.  However, Jesus is not just saying that he is just willing to risk his life for his sheep he follows through with action.  When he says he lays down his life this is a matter of what is going to happen not what might happen. He appoints his life for the sheep, and he WILL die for his flock so they may be redeemed.  He is not willing to give his life as an example of his love; it is love in action.  He lays down his life to save his sheep who are in mortal danger.  He will lay down his life so his sheep can live.  
 
3.     Jesus The Lamb of God: John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God twice in John 1 (vs. 29, 36).  In the first instance John calls him “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”.
John1:29: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

• He willingly offered himself to be sacrificed in our place so we would not have to face the punishment of sin and death.
  
• Lamb that is led to the slaughter – Isaiah 53
  
• He was sacrificed for the sins of the world.
  
• In His sacrifice his death was/is an atonement (we are now at one with God) for our sins.  His death appeased the wrath of God and made us right with Him.

4.     Jesus is the triumphant or victorious lamb: Revelation 7:9 - 17 & 17:14. There will be war waged on the Lamb of God, but he will be victorious.
 
What Can We Learn from the Shepherds?

1. The Shepherds were the first to hear the Gospel -   This is significant because we established earlier that Shepherds were not highly regarded in society.  They were usually dirty, smelly and were nomadic loners.  However, God sent the angels to proclaim the Good News.  According to commentator W.L. Liefeld, “The shepherds of Luke 2 may, therefore, symbolize all the ordinary people who have joyfully received the gospel and have become in various ways pastors to others.”[4]  It is even more significant because in this we see Jesus is for everyone – He is not a King who primarily works for and defends the rich, mighty, and powerful.  Jesus is the King for the average and ordinary person like you and me.  He is also a King who defends and loves the lowly and unlovable.  His beginnings were humble, and his death was as well.
2. The Shepherds dropped everything they were doing and went to see the savior.  Have you considered this in your life?  Is Jesus important enough in your life to drop everything (your busy life, your so we can pursue him and worship him) – Take time for the Savior.
3. The Shepherds went away praising God.  They encountered Jesus and left changed men.  We see this throughout the life of Jesus.  Whenever anyone had an encounter with Jesus they left changed in some way.  This should be true for us today.  If you have encountered Jesus, you are profoundly changed.  When you came to saving faith in Christ did you receive a new heart and become a new creation in Jesus?  If Jesus has not impacted your life in some way, then maybe he has not impacted your life at all.  This is something to ponder. 
4. The Shepherds proclaimed the Gospel.  Sometimes we forget the important role the shepherds play in spreading the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.  Not only did they witness the baby Jesus, but they went away praising God for what they had hear and seen.  The message of the Savior’s birth was brought back by the Shepherds.  Since the shepherds knew the value of sharing the birth of Christ then you and I should take note and share this “great news” to the world.

 
Mary’s Response
Vs 19: “But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” I cannot begin to imagine what was going on with Mary as all this transpired.  By the wording Luke chooses to use, I would say that he could not as well.  What does he mean?  According to the NET Bible, “This suggests more than remembering. She is trying to put things together here.”[5]  Can you imagine how she felt, what she was trying to comprehend, and what the future will look like for her and her son?  These are certainly things she would consider and put together in her heart.  

As we close our time together observing the Lord’s Supper let us consider, ponder, and meditate on all that God has done for us.  As children of God, He has given to us the greatest of gift of life by grace and grace alone.  As we ponder and meditate on this truth let us put together in our hearts the call of God on our lives.  What is it that he has or is calling you to do for His glory?


[1] Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.

[2] Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, p. 101). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

[3] Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 3, p. 101). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

[4] Liefeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 845). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

[5] Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.