February 11
Lambs, Sheep, and Shepherds
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.” 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 2:13-15
Let’s just take the safe Christmas-pageant familiarity out of this scene for a minute. You are a sheep herder minding your business on a cold December night when suddenly, the skies open and an other-earthly creature appears and tells you not to be afraid. (Comforting.) He then tells you the Messiah has been born and you need to go visit Him. (Oh-kay.) And if that weren’t enough, a “host” (as in, hundreds) of this creature’s friends suddenly appear and begin to praise God.
In this context, the shepherds’ response is outrageously understated: “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Yeah, good idea. Kinda hard to ignore 1,000 angels coming down from heaven. At this point, I bet those shepherds ran all the way to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. God could have chosen anyone in the area—a rabbi, prominent government official, or an important citizen—to speak to, but instead he chooses the most “blue collar” dudes around. Stinky, rough-necked sheep tenders.
I love the symbolism here: Jesus is surrounded by shepherds as a helpless newborn, and then grows to become the Shepherd who helps us, His helpless and hapless sheep. Man of God, you have a savior who is both a shepherd who hears His sheep’s voice (John 10:27), and who is also our sacrificial Lamb, taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Jesus was speaking in terms that folks could understand at the time, as sheep were ubiquitous and familiar to everyone. For us, it just takes one visit to a petting zoo to realize just how filthy and stinky sheep are. For God’s man, the message is clear: the more we surrender our “sheep-ness” to Him, the more He can take over as the Shepherd we yearn for.
Jesus ensures us that “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). His voice is full of correction, consultation, and conviction, but most of all, brother, it’s full of love. Can you hear Him calling?
Jesus, thank You that You are both my Lamb and my Shepherd. I’m so grateful to be part of Your flock.