Shepherding was a pretty lowly job back when Jesus was born, but not all shepherds were created equal. What was significant about these particular shepherds?
Well, where was Jesus born? That's where the shepherds were. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and the shepherds were nearby.
"8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” - Luke 2:8-12
"Has been born to you?" Born to the shepherds? Hmm.
What is so significant about these shepherds, that "the Lamb of God" would be born to them?
The shepherds in Bethlehem were not just any shepherds. They were responsible for watching over a very special flock. The lambs born to their particular flock were used as temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. The lambs had to be spotless in order to be acceptable to God as a sacrifice for sin.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem because that is where ALL sacrificial lambs were born. And Jesus was born to live a sinless, spotless life before He was sacrificed for our sins.
Here's a thought to ponder. According to the National Sheep Association, lambing season runs from February to April. Since God is perfect and amazing and everything He does is right on time and according to His plan, why on earth would we think that Jesus was born in December? Hmm.
And how about this? All of the major events in Jesus' life - His amazing sacrificial life - occurred on major Jewish holidays.
The Passover - Jesus and His disciples ate the Last Supper. They had lamb.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread - Jesus, the Bread of Life, was crucified.
The Festival of First Fruits - Jesus rose from the dead. The first fruit of God's resurrection plan.
The first day of the Jewish New Year is Nisan 1. This year Nisan 1 falls on March 17th. Events that occurred on Nisan 1 include the dedication of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:17) and the cleansing of the defiled temple (2 Chronicles 29).
If Jesus made all things new, "the old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (Isaiah 42:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Revelation 21:5) - wouldn't it make sense that Jesus was born on Nisan 1, the day the old year passed away and the new year has come, in the spring, with the sacrificial lambs?
Just a theory. What do YOU think?
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29
When Was Jesus Really Born? - Jonathan Cahn
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