12/26/13- The Ones the Shepherds Told

17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  (Luke 2:17,18)

Thoughts: There were people who heard the news of the shepherds and responded positively to it.  There are the first people to respond to the Gospel outside of the shepherds hearing it from angels. How would you respond?  Shepherds were not widely respected in Judea.  But in Bethlehem they were more respected than most places.  Bethlehem got its fame from being the hometown of David.  David was a shepherd boy, giving a good name to the shepherds of Bethlehem who continued his work.  Shepherds were seen by many in that culture as the next thing to homelessness.  They would live outside with the sheep.  They were known for being unable to do ceremonial washings in order to go to the Temple for festivals or sacrifices in keeping with the Jewish Law.
      Yet, in Bethlehem they were respected.  The shepherds would shop in Bethlehem.  They would come in and knew the people in that small country town 5.5 miles from Jerusalem.  The scripture says, "All who heard" the shepherds news "were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."  They were not in disbelief.  The King James says "they wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."  The word "wonder" comes from the idea of awe and wonder, not questioning.  The word in Greek is ἐθαύμασαν this word means to be amazed or marvel at.
       Matthew records in chapter 2 that when the wise men reached Jesus he was living in a house and was called a child (not a baby).  It appears that at least temporarily that the people of Bethlehem finally opened up to Joseph's family.  He had a house there until he left it to go to Egypt to escape Herod (the time gap between Luke 2:38 and 2:39).  But it appears that the people went from having no room, to supporting the family either as carpenter clients or in kindness.
      The question before us is can we listen?  Can we listen to someone other than the "experts" the religious leaders and priests- and listen to the experience of others?  Can we go from not making room for Jesus to supporting His cause and person?  

Prayer: Help me to listen to your voice.  Help me to support your kingdom Lord.  

(Adoration of hte shepherds- Carravagista)