Luke 2 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the L_rd stood before them, and the glory of the L_rd shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said the them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people: Today a savior who is Messiah the L_rd, was born for you in the city of David.” Luke 2:8-11

On the night Yeshua was born, the L_rd chose for shepherds to be His first visitors. And what a celebration it was, complete with angel chorus! The shepherds found Yeshua in the city of David. If you think about it, the city of “David” was the perfect place for a first viewing of the One who would Shepherd Israel; and the safest place for the Lamb of G_d to be delivered.

Have you ever wondered why the angels first appeared to the lowly shepherds? If Messiah would atone for sin, shouldn't the religious leaders have been alerted first? If the government was to be place upon His shoulders, shouldn't the politicians have been invited?

It is safe to say there were two kinds of shepherds in Israel, at that time: Good, and Bad.

Those who held the “office” of shepherd had become compromised by either, worldliness or legalism. That is, the religious leaders were so Heavenly-minded that they were no earthly good. At the same time, the politicians were so worldly-minded that they were no Heavenly good. Either way, the sheep were being led astray.

The only honest shepherds left in Israel were the actual ones. They were the ones in the field, faithfully minding the flocks…just as David was doing when his father called for him and Samuel anointed him king.

“’Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ This is the L_rd’s declaration. Therefore, this is what the L_rd, the G_d of Israel, says about the shepherds who shepherd my people: you have scattered My flock, banished them, and have not attended to them. I will attend to you because of your evil acts.’ – the L_rd’s declaration. ‘I will gather the remnant of My flock from the lands where I have banished them, and I will return them to their grazing land. They will become fruitful and numerous. I will raise-up shepherds over them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any be missing.’ This is the L_rd’s declaration. ‘The days are coming’ – this is the L_rd’s declaration – ‘when I will raise up a righteous Branch of David.’” Jeremiah 13:1-5

No one is worthy to hold the “office” of shepherd, unless they are willing to do a shepherd’s work.

Blessings.
~Steve Wiggins, Assistant Rabbi
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Tuesday, June 4, 2013


 




 

Share this page ...