Shepherds are a part of most of the Nativity scenes you have likely encountered. And it seems natural that they should be there. In our minds, they represent peaceful people who add to the serenity of the narrative of Jesus’ birth. Since most of us do not own sheep or frankly know much about them, we assume their occupation was a gentle one, as we picture shepherds leading their flocks through lush green pastures fit for paintings or photographs. Psalm 23 teaches us that the Lord is our shepherd, so we automatically assume that shepherds during the time of Jesus belong with the baby by virtue of their respectful occupation.
The problem is that our thinking on this matter is incorrect. Shepherds during the time of Jesus were not respectable at all. Instead, they were known for being the exact opposite. Nobody trusted a shepherd during this period of history. They were not even called upon to testify in legal proceedings because of this perception. In fact, most shepherds would graze their flocks on lands that did not belong to them, meaning they were crooks. Surprised? Which begs the question, why then are shepherds chosen to view the Savior’s birth? Why are they given a front row seat?
I think any person who truly understands their need for grace and forgiveness knows the answer to this question. Shepherds are chosen because they represent the people this baby came for. They represent us. Shepherds represent sinners, and all of us fall into this category. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 tells us. That means you. That means me. James goes so far as to imply that in the sight of God, we are guilty of breaking all of God’s commandments, that if we have broken one, we have broken them all (James 2:10). And that puts us all in the “shepherd” category. We have miserably failed God. We have miserably failed others. “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:4).
Which means that it is good news that shepherds are chosen to go and view the baby shortly after his birth. It is good news that shepherds are chosen to hear a choir of angels singing heavenly hymns in the wee hours of the morning. I would love to have a picture of that as a painting or photograph. And let’s pay careful attention to how the shepherds respond to this good news. They go to Bethlehem. They see the child who would be their Savior and ours. They view him with their own eyes. And then, they go and tell everyone they possibly can about it. “They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:17).
Why? Because the likelihood is that these shepherds have given up on God and religion. They are not worthy of the temple or a synagogue. They are not expecting to be included in any aspect of the religion in their day. And yet, they, untrustworthy, lying, despised, and sinful shepherds get to see the child who would one day die for their sins and ours. They are the first recipients of grace. They are the first examples of the life change this child would come to bring. They are a blueprint of how the gospel is designed to work in our lives.
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” These words were written by John Newton, a shepherd in his own right, guilty of some of the most shameful and despicable sins imaginable, the trading of slaves. He was the captain of one of these ships, until he was radically changed by the grace of God, until God reached down to him with the same love shown to the shepherds. Towards the end of his life, Newton is quoted as saying, “although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly; I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” I think the shepherds would agree. In fact, I am eternally grateful they are chosen to be the first guests at the stable.