And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. — Luke 2:8

In the same sentence, the Lord’s glory and shepherds are mentioned. In Israel, shepherds had a great history. Abraham, Moses, and David were all famous shepherds, and Psalm 23 says that God is a great shepherd. At this point in Israelite history, though, they were not very well thought of. They had the smell of sheep. They were with sheep all the time. They weren’t very clean or religious, so they couldn’t be called spiritual. So, when God chose to use angels to tell shepherds about the birth of Jesus, he made it clear that everyone is loved by God, that everyone can talk to God, and that everyone is wanted by God.

 

Thought

In the same sentence, the Lord’s glory and shepherds are mentioned. In Israel, shepherds had a great history. Abraham, Moses, and David were all famous shepherds, and Psalm 23 says that God is a great shepherd. At this point in Israelite history, though, they were not very well thought of. They had the smell of sheep. They were with sheep all the time. They weren’t very clean or religious, so they couldn’t be called spiritual. So, when God chose to use angels to tell shepherds about the birth of Jesus, he made it clear that everyone is loved by God, that everyone can talk to God, and that everyone is wanted by God.

 

Prayer

God, you are holy and powerful, but I confess to you that sometimes I judge people by their reputation and outward appearance. However, I’m struck by how strongly you feel that everyone should know about your grace in Christ today. Give me a desire to spread your grace and a heart that loves everyone. In Jesus’s precious name I pray. Amen.