Knowing the Savior (Lk. 2:15-21)
Good morning, everybody!
I want to begin by reading our scripture for today’s message.
Grab your Bibles and go with me to Luke chapter 2.
We’ll begin with verse fifteen.
Luke 2:15–21 NKJV
15 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.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Farmworkers
I want to paint a picture for you about what type of people we are dealing with when we talk about shepherds in the Bible. Before I do that, let me tell you about another group - farmworkers. The people who work on the farms, picking our produce every day so that our families can have healthy food options, are among the hardest-working people I know of today. I would not want to do the work they do. They often work long hours, bent over in the hot sun most of the time, and they aren’t paid very well for their work. They go home exhausted and dirty. Oftentimes they are exploited, and to top it off, much of the food they help us to enjoy they can’t able to enjoy themselves.
In 2021, Rocky Mountain PBS published an article on their webpage entitled Feeding Farmworkers: They pick food but can’t afford it themselves.[1] In the article it states,
Working in the farm fields of Colorado to put food on people’s tables around the country doesn’t mean you can afford to put that very same food on your own table.
Many studies show how often farm workers struggle to feed their own families. In one Georgia study of migrant farmworkers, for example, nearly 63 percent did not have enough food.[2]
Roberto Meza, founder of East Denver Food Hub, asks an important question,
“Why is it that we have this contradiction: That the people who grow our food can’t afford the food that is in our communities?”[3]
That’s a great question. You’re probably asking yourself another question, “Tre, what does this have to do with the sermon?” I’m glad that you asked.
Shepherds
Shepherds were hard workers who, like many of today’s farmworkers, often worked long hours tending to the sheep. They needed to make sure the animals had enough food and water as well as safety. That’s why in Psalm 23 we see God depicted as a Shepherd Who does this for each of us.
Psalm 23:1–4 NKJV
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
In his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, W. Phillip Keller expounds on the nature of sheep to make poor choices in search for waters to quench their thirst and the necessity of a shepherd. He says,
When sheep are thirsty they become restless and set out in search of water. If not led to the good water supplies of clean, pure water, they will often end up drinking from the polluted pot holes where they pick up such internal parasites as nematodes, liver flukes, or other disease germs.
He further points out that we too, in search for something to quench our spiritual thirst, make poor choices as well.
The difficulty in all of this is that men and women who are thirsty for God (who do have a deep inner sense of searching and seeking; who are in quest of that which will completely satisfy) often are unsure of where to look or really what they are looking for. Their inner spiritual capacity for God and divine life is desiccated, and in their dilemma they will drink from any dirty pool to try and satisfy their thirst for fulfillment.
This is why we need a Shepherd. This is why we need someone who can lead us to the quiet and satisfying waters of life.
My friends, if this describes you, I want you to know that you don’t have to continue drinking from unclean water sources. You don’t have to settle for what does not satisfy you. Jesus is a source of water that never runs dry. As a matter of fact, here’s what Jesus says,
John 4:14 NKJV
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Because sheep are dumb animals it makes them easy prey. Shepherds were always on the alert looking out for predators. The responsibility of a shepherd was very important work, incredibly necessary, but, like many of today’s farm workers, they were not the most respected and well-thought-of group of laborers even though many of their animals were used for temple sacrifices.
Leon Morris points out that,
As a class shepherds had a bad reputation. The nature of their calling kept them from observing the ceremonial law which meant so much to religious people. They were considered unreliable and were not allowed to give testimony in the law-courts (Talmud, Sanhedrin 25b).[4]
The reason they were disqualified from giving testimony was because they often allowed their sheep to feed in another person’s field. Because of actions like this, the authorities considered them to be thieves.
The way Chuck Swindoll describes how shepherds were viewed makes a lot of sense,
Given the hypocrisy of the religious authorities described in the Gospels, the ceremonially clean keepers of the temple would not have wanted to rub shoulders with people living among animals in the wilderness.”[5]
Think of that, much like the farmers who provide the food we eat, but can’t afford to eat it themselves, the shepherds were providing sacrifices for the people which they could not participate in themselves.
Why does any of this matter? Well, as I’ve stated before today, Luke, as a Gentile emphasizes the inclusivity of God’s grace. Jesus is not just for the Jews. Salvation is not exclusive to the Christians, Jesus is for everybody and Luke does a great job of pointing that out as he focuses much of his writing on the lowly among his day and how readily they receive Christ and vice-versa.
Searching for the Savior
We would probably expect the news of our Savior’s birth to first be told to the religious elite at the time, not to a bunch of filthy shepherds. If this was to happen today, we wouldn’t think twice about God sharing this news with a pastor, a choir member, a deacon or elder. It makes sense in our minds, that Zechariah and Elizabeth got the news. They were a major part of the story, plus, as Luke has already told us,
Luke 1:6 NKJV
6 …they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
It makes sense that Mary should know, she’s the mother, and she is called highly favored.
Luke 1:28 NKJV
28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
Joseph is a logical recipient of this news considering the fact that he will have the responsibility of raising the Child. Plus, as is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph was a just man.
Matthew 1:19 NKJV
19 Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
Even Simeon and Anna, who Pastor Mike will talk about later, is described as being just and devout.
Luke 2:25 NKJV
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Anna, was a prophetess who “served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”
Luke 2:36–38 NKJV
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
What we discover in all of these characters, that isn’t mentioned with the outcast group of shepherds, is their religious devotion. We aren’t told anything about the faith of the shepherds, they’re just shepherds. But my friend, don’t let that fool you. Leon Morris cautions us not to miss nor downplay the obvious devotion of this despised group.
Pastor Thabiti says,
To these lowly men, the angel gives the highest theology (vv. 10–12). These despised shepherds are the first to receive the announcement of the gospel. These men are the first to learn of “great joy for all the people.”[6]
We live in a time where the revelation of God is met with more skepticism than curiosity. The things that are hard to believe are quickly dismissed. We can actually learn a lot from the shepherds in Luke’s Gospel.
How do these men respond to angel’s news? They respond with the most immediate obedience. They do not hesitate. They do not think about it for a second. They rush off in a flash to discover what God had revealed to them.
Luke 2:15–16 NKJV
15 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.”
16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
They went looking for Jesus! The word found in this verse comes from the Greek word aneuriskō (ἀνευρίσκω) which means to “find by searching.” The only other place this word is used in the NT is in Acts 21 where Paul and other men had been sailing until they arrived in Tyre.
Acts 21:4 NKJV
4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
The word finding in Acts 21 is the same word for found in Luke 2.
Again, I personally don’t believe that it was a straight line from the field where the shepherds were to the manger where the Lamb of God was. These shepherds went from house to house and stable to stable, rejecting babies along the way, until they found the One God had promised.
Through the prophet Jeremiah God assures us,
Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Listen to those words. Especially if you’re here today and you’re not a Christian, listen to the promise of God to you.
Proverbs 8:17 NKJV
17 I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.
And the writer of Hebrews tells us
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Have you found the Savior today?
Not that He is lost, but that you’ve discovered in Him all that you need.
Have you discovered how He makes a way when there seems to be no way?
He’s a healer.
He’s the Resurrection and the Life.
The Author and Perfector of your faith.
He is your only Salvation!
Have you discovered Jesus; the Way, the Truth, and the Life you’ve been searching for?
Colossians 2:9–10 NKJV
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
All that you need to know about God is revealed in His Son, Jesus. He is the all-sufficient One.
Isaiah 55:6 NKJV
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Sharing the Good News
Secondly, not only do they go looking for Jesus, but when they find Him, they share the good news with other people.
Luke 2:17–20 NKJV
17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.
18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Luke tells us that when the shepherds found what they had been looking for they didn’t question it or keep it to themselves. They spread it far and wide. Anyone who would listen to them heard the news of the Savior’s birth.
Think about this for a second…
Earlier I mentioned how shepherds were prevented from testifying in court, how they were considered to be unreliable witnesses and here, we find the grace of God so fully lavished upon them that He uses these outcasts to share His message of the mega-joy of salvation with all people. Folks, you need to discover the transforming power of my God. How He will turn your story around and use you for His glory. These men, shunned by society, were the first witnesses to testify to the birth of Jesus.
Folks, we can learn so much from these men. Their faithfulness to the Word of God and their obedience in sharing the hope they have in Jesus should inspire each of us to follow their example.
A phrase that has been used to describe the hesitancy of Christians when it comes to sharing our faith goes like this,
"Unfortunately, too many Christians are like Arctic rivers; they are frozen at the mouth."
In his book, How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot (pp17-26), Andy Bannister, who is a very witty evangelist, lists eight fears that hinder us from obeying the Great Commission.
1. Fear of looking like an idiot.
2. Fear of standing out from the crowd.
3. Fear for being called names.
4. Fear of causing arguments or division.
5. Fear of the implications for my career.
6. Fear of being asked a question I can’t answer.
7. Fear of failure.
8. Fear of making God look bad.
Andy points out that the fears which prevent us from sharing our faith reveals the idols of our hearts.[7]
Despite all of that, we are eager to make known what is happening in the sports world, yet we hesitate to make known what is happening in the spiritual world. We readily share the news of our latest diet trend, podcasts, or tv shows. We have no trouble discussing movies, technology, politics, and our own personal opinions about every sort of thing. Why do we hesitate to talk about the most important thing in life? Salvation through Christ alone.
David Anderson writes in his book, Gracism,
“When you have been touched by God’s compassion and mercy, it would be scandalous to not be compassionate and merciful to others.”[8]
In the same way, when you have received the message of God’s redeeming love for you and you have drank from the well of God’s grace, it would be scandalous to not share that same message with others so they can drink with you.
My friends, you can be the most rejected, the most broken, the most unloved person in the room or you can be the most successful, well accomplished and most influential person alive today and both of you equally have the same greatest need. To know the free gift of God’s grace in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Think about something else for a second. In the story of Jesus’ birth we know the names of all the major players with the exception of the shepherds. Who they are is of no major concern. Who Christ is is all that matters. And that’s why verse 21 tells us,
Luke 2:21 NKJV
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
His is the only Name that matters. His is the only Name that saves.
Let me share a story with you that will help to paint a picture of how much God has done for you because of Jesus.
Respond
If you know who Nate Bargatze is then you already know what an incredibly funny comedian he is. What you may not know is how hard of a life his dad had as a child. In his latest book, Big Dumb Eyes, Nate shares some details about his dad’s younger years.
For example, when his dad was only three years old his mom left him outside of the bowling alley because she didn’t want him to interfere with her game. While he was outside, he got bitten in the face by a dog and ended up needing six and a half years of surgery to fix it. Nate said that his grandparents, who were both alcoholics, were very abusive to his dad.
Even though he didn’t do well as a student, Nate’s dad eventually graduated from high school despite all of the trouble he was having at home. Once he graduated though, his mom let him know that it was time for him to move out. She didn’t want him around anymore so he ran away to Tennessee where he lived on the streets. Once, when things got so bad he tried to kill himself.
At some point, Nate’s dad moves in with his cousin Ronnie and his wife. That was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to him. Nate says,
I don’t think my dad had ever experienced what it meant to have a family before, but with those two he finally had one.
Because of an old shoulder injury from a fight he had with his mom where she pushed him down steps, Nate’s dad had to wear a cast that prevented him from moving his arm, and he couldn’t get the cast wet.
Let me read to you what Nate describes in his book:
One day, Melinda comes by and she goes, ‘You stink - you need a bath.’ So dad goes, ‘ What can I do? I can hardly move.’
‘Well, get some swim trunks on,’ she said. She ran the bath, put him in there, and she helped him wash off. He was seventeen years old. No one had ever been kind to him like that before.
Ronnie and Melinda, they went to church, and they got my dad to go with them. God, he learned, offered the same kind of grace, the same kind of mercy. He’d love my dad no matter what. He’d be there for him unconditionally. From there on, everything changed.9
Wow! What a difference a loving relationship can make. What an impact the grace of God can make in another person’s life when we don’t try to keep it to ourselves.
We started off talking about how despised shepherds were at the time of Luke’s writing. Like many farm workers today, they were unable to participate in what they provided. Rejected by society yet loved by God. Entrusted with an experience of God’s grace and joy to be shared with all people.
In the story of Nate’s dad, we can discover our own redemption story.
Because of the sin in our own lives, we stink, too. As a matter-of-fact, the Word of God says,
Isaiah 64:6 Lexham English Bible
6 And we all have become like the unclean,
and all our deeds of justice like a menstrual cloth,
And we all wither like a leaf,
and our iniquities take us away like the wind.
Some people have accepted a deceptive idea that they have to clean themselves up become they can come to God. Have you ever heard that before? Have you ever said that before? They feel as though they have done too much wrong, that God couldn’t possibly love them the way they currently are.
If that’s you, let me tell you. You will never be able to clean yourself up. Here’s what God’s word says,
Jeremiah 2:22 NIV
22 Although you wash yourself with soap
and use an abundance of cleansing powder,
the stain of your guilt is still before me,”
declares the Sovereign LORD.
Like Nate’s dad, because of your sin, you are too broken and incapable of cleaning yourself up, but by faith, if you will put on some swim trunks and get into the water, the blood of Jesus will wash away your sin.
Isaiah 1:18 NIV
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you don’t know this morning, today is the day of your salvation.
You are a sinner in need of a Savior and today you have discovered the greatest news of all time, Jesus is the One you’ve been looking for.
Will you trust Him?
Tre Clark
Britton Christian Church
10/30/2025
Feeding Farmworkers: They pick food but can’t afford it themselves | Rocky Mountain PBS
W. Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, p58
W. Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, p59
Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 101
Charles Swindoll, Insights for Living: Luke, p67
Thabiti Anyabwile, Exalting Jesus in Luke, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018), 43
Andy Bannister, How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot, pp17-26
David Anderson, Gracism, p122
Nate Bargatze, Big Dumb Eyes, pp26-27
