Handel’s Messiah – There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field

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By Steve King on December 1, 2023 ,

There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field

No. 13 – Interlude: PIFA (Pastoral Symphony) to No. 14a – Recitative

Music courtesy of The Falls Church Anglican Choir, Falls Church, Virginia, under the musical direction of Simon Dixon. Audio mastering by Andrew Schooley. From Messiah by George Frideric Handel (1742)

Listen to the full playlist for Handel’s Messiah.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

– Luke 2:8


I wondered if Luke 2:8 sung in Handel’s Messiah was worthy of a devotional. This brief earthy description of humble shepherds appeared only as a small stepping-stone placed between the heavenly prophecy, “For unto us a child is born …,” and the awesome appearance of the angel and God’s glory. So I asked God, who inspires all Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16–17), to show me the treasures in this stepping-stone.

I soon realized that my dismissal of the shepherds sharply contrasted with God’s high assessment of them. God targeted these humble shepherds for an exalted assignment. He dazzled them with His own glory, commissioned an angel and the heavenly host to announce their Savior’s birth, gave them a sign and a command not to fear.1

Clearly God wanted them on His team, and Luke’s inspired text tells us why. Luke’s Greek terms and tenses indicate rugged long-haul service.2 These faithful shepherds worked together, stayed out in the field, and watched their flocks through the night. These qualities prepared them to be trustworthy stewards of the best news any of us will ever hear.

Some scholars suggest these shepherds were diligently tending sheep for sacrifice in the Temple in order to present only unblemished animals.³ How fitting that these shepherds saw the newborn lamb of God in a feeding trough and later proclaimed heaven’s good news about Him as the unblemished Savior, Christ the Lord.

Feeling like a mere stepping-stone? The God of the shepherds is also your God. He tells a different story—be faithfully watchful and discover His purpose.

Prayer

Lord, help me to attend to the tasks You’ve given me with humility and
grace. May I encounter and worship You in my daily labors.
Amen.

Notes:
1 Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, updated ed.
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2014), 131–32; NASB Zondervan Study
Bible, footnote on Luke 2:8.

2 Agrauleo, to remain in the open air; phylasso, to be on watch.

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Steve King

Pastor

Steve King served as the Senior Pastor at Cherrydale Baptist Church in Arlington, VA from 1983 to 2019, and Senior Pastor Emeritus from 2019-2022. Steve has a passion to make disciples who love God and people above all else. He hosted Renewing Hope on WAVA 105.1 FM for 26 years, led the Band of Shepherds pastors’ fellowship for 30 years, served on the board of Pioneers International for 26 years, was on the leadership team of One Heart DC and a speaker to C.S. Lewis Fellows. He is the author of Beware the Slow Leaks – eight ways ministry leaders can thrive and finish strong (Salem Books). Steve holds degrees from the University of Georgia (BBA) and Western Seminary (MDiv).

 

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