Jesus, the Savior, was announced to shepherds living in the fields around Bethlehem by the angel of the Lord. The angel did not appear to people living in Bethlehem who rejected the Messiah and his parents, nor the religious leaders in and near Jerusalem, nor the Jewish eccentric sect called the Essenes living in Qumran, nor to Joseph and Mary’s relatives and friends in Nazareth, nor to wealthy rulers like Herod and Caesar. What kind of people were shepherds to receive such an honor?
The angels came to the shepherds because they were available. It was night and they were awake watching their sheep, destined to be sacrificed at the Temple in Jerusalem less than six miles (9 km) away. They were good representatives of the type of people who would respond to Jesus’ message.
Shepherds in ancient Palestine were often young unruly despised boys and young men. Their occupation kept them from being ceremonial clean which meant so much to the religious Jews. Talmud law stated their testimonial was not allowed in a court of law because they were unreliable. They were known to steal while in the field. Keeping watch over sheep in open fields was an unwanted job. The lowest boy in a family would get the job. Shepherds were known for gambling and other vices. They had to not only defend wild animals, but also thieves. Thus they camped together at night.
God works in way that sometimes is hard for fallen man to perceive. The people he calls are often the lowly and despised. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 states, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” There is no place for pride in Christ. So it is with me.
