I often thought of prophecy as being restricted to something that will happen in the future. And that is correct. But what if the present event is unknown to me? Given that it isn’t news to the person telling the news, it isn’t prophecy. Operatively, Today’s Holy Nougat isn’t quite prophecy. Nevertheless, given its role in the fulfillment of prophecy, let’s explore it in more detail.
Luke 2:10-12 NIV
[10] But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. [11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. [12] This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Good News … With Proof 1
If you’re like me, more so like I was as a child, you might find yourself questioning God’s announcement to the shepherds. The Magi make sense since the Good News is often seen as opening space for Gentiles. Anna and Simeon definitely needed to see Y’shua because God keeps God’s promises. But the shepherds … God had no obligation to include them. And they were only shepherds. On the socio-political hierarchy, they were not typically included. Their inclusion must therefore have been important to God … and to Luke.
Self-Check
Does the inclusion of the shepherds assure us that we are important to God? Why/not?
Digging Deeper
One clue about God’s valuing of the shepherds is found in the words of the angel … ‘great joy for all people. Jesus’ birth was not an exclusive salvific act. This party was for the entire world, some of whom had already died, others who had not yet been born! That message was reiterated in John 3:16 God loves the world so much that God sent God’s only divine Son. Therefore all who believe in God’s Son will live forever instead of perishing in Hell. It was an explanation given to a Gentile woman that has become a promise of Good News to all.
This is in addition to the other more obvious clues …
Moses was a shepherd at the time when YHWH self-revealed to him on Mt Horeb in Genesis 3
1 Samuel 16 tells us that David was a shepherd at the time of his anointing. Therefore his eyeball heir would be a kingly shepherd
Ezekiel 34 speaks to the role of priests as shepherds of the believing community
Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10, which substantiates all the previous texts.
It is worth noting that Ezekiel 34 includes a prophecy about the Davidic shepherd whose role would be caring for the sheep. Isn’t it fitting, therefore, that the shepherds were included in Luke’s narration of the ‘facts’ from his extensive research?
The message to the shepherds could be seen as a sharing with like-minded people. Shepherds would have understood each other. They were able to recognise wolves in all forms. It’s not implied anywhere that the shepherds offered protection for the Messiah, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have happened. What we do know is that they saw for themselves the fulfilment of prophecy that one of their kind was chosen as saviour and they rejoiced.
It’s good news for us, too. For Jesus is also one of our kind. He became human so that we could eventually become divine. Not as God, but we will exist in the same space with God. That reason for us to celebrate.
Point to Ponder
Can we resonate with the ‘all’ for whom the good news of Christ’s both will benefit? What shall we do with the good news?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
