Shepherd, Carpenters, and Fishermen

Today’s Passage – Luke 2 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – *Psalm 55:17*

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Family Business;” and “Fruits Worthy of Repentance.”

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (Luke 2:8-20)

For me, one of the most encouraging aspects of the Christmas story is the people that God used surrounding the incarnation of the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ parents were poor people from an insignificant little village near the Sea of Galilee. Joseph was a carpenter, a blue-collar laborer who sweated and worked hard to provide a living for his family. Even the town where Jesus was to be born was not at all prominent, especially when compared to its famous neighbor, Jerusalem, just a few miles to the north. You might think that God would choose Jerusalem as the place of Jesus’ birth, or maybe even Rome, which was the capital of the world in those days. And who does God choose to reveal the birth of the King to? Humble shepherds – guys who are out at night, working third shift, doing the work that the rich and powerful would not be willing to do. The angels did not wake up the high priest or one of the members of the Sanhedrin; he did interrupt the mayor of Bethlehem while he was enjoying a late-night snack. God chose some humble men who were, no doubt, faithfully doing their work while serving their God and their families. 

These shepherds remind me of King David who was also a humble shepherd, serving his family, feeding and protecting the flock, when all of a sudden, someone came and called him out of the field and said: “Samuel the prophet is at your house, and he wants to talk with you.” Well, he may not have used those exact words, but the point is that David was just faithfully fulfilling his duties when God told Samuel to call him. You just never know when God may come by and call you to do something awesome for Him.

Fast forward to thirty years later, when Jesus is choosing His apostles. Who does he choose? Millionaires? Religious leaders? No, He chooses humble fishermen. Guys who were struggling to feed their families, working hard, but also patiently waiting and looking for God to do something awesome. The Bible tells us “And the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37).

Paul told the church at Corinth that God was not impressed with the proud and haughty, the rich and powerful. God can only be glorified when He does His work through humble men and women: 

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)

Serving God is awesome, but our service will not always be out in some prominent place where hundreds are cheering for us; it may just be in a field with a few sheep; or in a boat with nets and poles. God uses the everyday, ordinary, humble man or woman to do extraordinary work for Him. Our desire ought to just be faithful to Him, doing the seemingly “little things” that He calls us to do. Who knows, He may just show up someday and use us to do something big.