by sam » Thu Dec 15, 2022 2:24 pm
Tim Laniak brings out some interesting facts relating to the ‘shepherd’ motif throughout this book. From the gospel of Luke, he shows how the events surrounding the birth of Jesus clearly indicates that the baby born that day is the true Shepherd. Luke mentions David – who was a shepherd before he became a king and was also called a shepherd of the people of Israel during his day. He is mentioned throughout the prologue and in the announcement of the angels to the shepherds (2:11). David is associated with Jesus and emphasizes the pastoral origins of his ancestor. Later, Luke shows how Mary and Joseph found shelter in an animal shed and laid the newborn Jesus in a manger – a feeding trough for domestic animals. The author points out that the first birth announcement goes out to the shepherds who were out in the field, keeping watch over their flock (v.11-12). It is significant that the announcement was not made to family first but to shepherds! The announcement itself carried the notion of the true shepherd – a baby born in the city of David the shepherd and lying in a manger – a shepherd’s trough. Further, Laniak details that the shepherds that were keeping the flock that night were probably hired shepherds and may have been keeping the temple flocks in Bethlehem that were raised in anticipation of the Passover slaughter. It is significant that this announcement was made to these shepherds and they were witnesses to the birth of the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world – Jesus the true Shepherd.
Tim Laniak brings out some interesting facts relating to the ‘shepherd’ motif throughout this book. From the gospel of Luke, he shows how the events surrounding the birth of Jesus clearly indicates that the baby born that day is the true Shepherd. Luke mentions David – who was a shepherd before he became a king and was also called a shepherd of the people of Israel during his day. He is mentioned throughout the prologue and in the announcement of the angels to the shepherds (2:11). David is associated with Jesus and emphasizes the pastoral origins of his ancestor. Later, Luke shows how Mary and Joseph found shelter in an animal shed and laid the newborn Jesus in a manger – a feeding trough for domestic animals. The author points out that the first birth announcement goes out to the shepherds who were out in the field, keeping watch over their flock (v.11-12). It is significant that the announcement was not made to family first but to shepherds! The announcement itself carried the notion of the true shepherd – a baby born in the city of David the shepherd and lying in a manger – a shepherd’s trough. Further, Laniak details that the shepherds that were keeping the flock that night were probably hired shepherds and may have been keeping the temple flocks in Bethlehem that were raised in anticipation of the Passover slaughter. It is significant that this announcement was made to these shepherds and they were witnesses to the birth of the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world – Jesus the true Shepherd.