Meaning of Luke 2:15

This verse depicts a pivotal moment following the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Their immediate and unified response—a desire to witness the promised event—demonstrates a profound faith and eagerness to engage with God's revelation. It highlights their active reception of divine news, moving beyond mere passive listening to a proactive pursuit of understanding and experiencing the miraculous. The shepherds, previously ordinary men tending their flocks, are transformed by the angelic visitation into the first evangelists, driven by an internal compulsion to verify and share the extraordinary news.

Context and Background

The shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem, fulfilling their nightly duty of guarding their flocks. This was a humble and often overlooked occupation, placing them on the fringes of society. The sudden appearance of a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and proclaiming the birth of a Savior, King Jesus, in Bethlehem, would have been an overwhelming and terrifying spectacle. Their initial fear (Luke 2:9) quickly gives way to awe and wonder as the angelic message is delivered and then departs. The verse picks up immediately after this celestial visitation, with the shepherds processing this unprecedented event.

Key Themes and Messages

• Faith and Obedience: The shepherds' willingness to believe the angelic message and act upon it is a testament to their faith. They did not dismiss the announcement as a hallucination or a dream but accepted it as a divine communication. Their decision to "go to Bethlehem" is an act of obedience, a direct response to what they perceived as the Lord's will.
• Urgency and Zeal: The phrase "Let's go" conveys a sense of urgency and eagerness. They were not hesitant or leisurely in their pursuit; rather, they were compelled by the significance of the news. This reflects a spiritual zeal to seek out and experience God's promises.
• Verification and Witnessing: Their stated purpose, "to see this thing that has happened," indicates a desire to personally verify the angelic proclamation. This act of witnessing is crucial, transforming them from recipients of news to firsthand witnesses.
• The Lord's Revelation: The phrase "which the Lord has told us about" underscores that this event was not a random occurrence but a divinely orchestrated and revealed happening. God had made His plan known, and these humble shepherds were chosen to be among the first to receive and respond to it.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse offers a powerful model for believers today. It demonstrates that divine revelation should not be met with passive indifference but with active pursuit and eager investigation. When God reveals Himself or His will, the appropriate response is to seek Him out with a willing heart and an obedient spirit. The shepherds' journey to Bethlehem symbolizes the believer's journey in seeking Christ, not just intellectually but experientially. It calls us to be zealous in our faith, to share the good news we have received, and to actively seek the presence of God in our lives and in the world.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The shepherds' encounter is a foundational event in the Christmas narrative. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies that spoke of a coming Messiah and the rejoicing that His birth would bring. Their role as the first earthly witnesses to Christ's birth highlights God's consistent pattern of choosing the humble and the marginalized to be part of His grand redemptive plan. This aligns with other instances where God elevates the seemingly insignificant, such as the selection of David from his sheep, or the early disciples who were fishermen. It underscores that God's kingdom is not built on worldly power or status but on faith and obedience.

Analogies

• News Reporters: Imagine the shepherds as journalists who have just received an exclusive, earth-shattering scoop from a highly credible source (the angels). Their immediate instinct is to rush to the scene to confirm the story and report it.
• Explorers: They are like explorers who have been given a map to a hidden treasure and, upon receiving it, immediately set off on the journey, driven by the promise of discovery.
• First Responders: Their urgency can be likened to first responders rushing to an emergency site upon receiving a distress call, eager to help and assess the situation.

Relation to Other Verses

• Luke 2:10-11: This verse directly follows the angelic announcement, providing the context for the shepherds' reaction. "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"
• John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The shepherds are among the first to witness this divine incarnation.
• Hebrews 11:6: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." The shepherds exemplify this by believing and earnestly seeking.
• Matthew 13:44-46: Jesus' parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price illustrate the immense value and the zealous pursuit that such discoveries warrant, mirroring the shepherds' reaction to the birth of the Messiah.