Birth of the Messiah: The Shepherds' Revelation
In the story of the birth of the Messiah, shepherds play a significant role despite being considered lowly. The angel's visit to them conveys the momentous news. Through images and passages from Exodus, the narrative unfolds, highlighting the shepherds' sacred duty and the holy significance of Bethlehem. The connection between shepherds, sacrificial lambs, and the birth of Jesus is beautifully depicted, underscoring the divine message that even the humblest among us can receive great tidings.
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Presentation Transcript
Joy Joy
They are mere shepherds, considered by some as the lowest of the low. But the angel comes to them. No one else, but to them and gives them the news of a momentous event, the birth of the Messiah.
They are mere shepherds, considered by some as the lowest of the low. But the angel comes to them. No one else, but to them and gives them the news of a momentous event, the birth of the Messiah.
Exodus 36:1 And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.
Exodus 28:3 So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.
They are mere shepherds, considered by some as the lowest of the low. But the angel comes to them. No one else, but to them and gives them the news of a momentous event, the birth of the Messiah.
But the angel comes to them. No one else, but to them and gives them the news of a momentous event, the birth of the Messiah.
Because the fields surrounding Bethlehem were a short distance from the Temple, they were designated as holy pastures for raising sacrificial lambs. At Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock, generations of shepherds tended their lambs. According to Exodus 29:38-46, two lambs had to be sacrificed every day (one in the morning and one at twilight). Before David was king, he raised sheep in the same Bethlehem pastures that were
likely home to the shepherds from Luke 2. In fact, the reason Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem was that they were required to pay taxes in their ancestral hometown and Joseph was a descendent of King David. Is it any wonder that God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, our Savior? He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). biblestudytools.com
likely home to the shepherds from Luke 2. In fact, the reason Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem was that they were required to pay taxes in their ancestral hometown and Joseph was a descendent of King David. Is it any wonder that God chose Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus, our Savior? He is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29). biblestudytools.com
Do you think this is simply a coincidence that Jesus, being the sacrificial Lamb of God do you think this is simply a coincidence that He would also come from Bethlehem?
Luke 2:9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Luke 2:9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Glory Thayer s splendour, brightness. majesty of the angels, as apparent in their exterior brightness.
Luke 2:12 You will find a Babe wrapped up in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Host Strong s an army; from the base of G4766 as encamped; likeness that is an army .
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Luke 2:15-20 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which
Luke 2:15-20 was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Filled with joy they careen down the hills into the town, find the stable and manger, and kneel before the Christ Child. Joy is an emotion of exaltation that comes from a new realization, an event of blessing, a state of blessedness. And surely the shepherds feel that.
Joy Strong s cheerfulness that is calm delight. Thayer s 1. joy, gladness a.the joy received from you b. the cause or occasion of joy 1. of persons who are one s joy.
Joy (Ungers Bible Dictionary) Joy is a delight of the mind arising from the consideration of a present or assured possession of a future good.
When moderate it is called gladness; raised suddenly to the highest degree it is exultation or transport; when the desires are limited by our possessions it is contentment; high desires accomplished bring satisfaction; vanquished opposition we call triumph; when joy has so long possessed the mind that it has settled into a temper, we call it cheerfulness. This is natural joy.
There is a moral joy, which is a self- approbation (approval), or that which arises from the performance of any good actions; this kind of joy is called peace, or serenity of conscience; if the action be honorable, and the joy rise high, it may be called glory.
spiritual joy. Spiritual joy is called a fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such there is no law.
John 16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
Joy (Ungers Bible Dictionary) Joy is a delight of the mind arising from the consideration of a present or assured possession of a future good.
But as the years progress and they tell the story to their children s children, the sense of wonder and joy remains. An angel has spoken to them!
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Author one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, a pioneer.
Author one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, a pioneer. Finisher (perfector) one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew 26:39, 42 O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. JOY vanquished opposition we call triumph.
The angel spoke of a physical birth. But there is also a spiritual dimension the joy that breaks upon us when we finally grasp that Jesus loves us in spite of ourselves, forgives all our sins and past failings, and takes up residence in our lives. Then the initial joy melds into an enduring joy of companionship with the Lord.
John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4-8 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.
John 3:9-13 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Numbers 21:4-8 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes
Numbers 21:4-8 this worthless bread. So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the
Numbers 21:4-8 people. Then the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
There is a moral joy, which is a self- approbation (approval), or that which arises from the performance of any good actions; this kind of joy is called peace, or serenity of conscience; if the action be honorable, and the joy rise high, it may be called glory.
