God’s word to mankind is a love letter, it’s a warning, a covenant document signed in His blood, and it’s great literature. God’s love for His creation, His artistry, shine forth in almost every page. I think of those grungy shepherds outside of Bethlehem where Jesus was born, and their visitation by a “vast host” of singing angels (NLT).
Now I’ve seen angels. Have you? I have seen them in my spirit, and I have once seen the archangel Michael in a lucid vision (the kind that appears before you like a movie, only it’s a living image). This is part of the wisdom gifts, some saints just “know,” some see, some both know and see, some hear, the method of perception varies but the result is the same – a transfer of information AND an encounter – the experience of God’s eternal heavenly kingdom in the now. See I Cor 12 and 13, and then the book of Acts, for more info.
Back to angels, I often know, see and hear them in churches where the Holy Spirit is actively acknowledged and received. I’m not bragging, really. Don’t hate me cuz I get a technicolor experience of God’s glory! I’m blessed and I know it. I don’t seek it, it just comes to me (probably that’s why).
So what’s this all got to do with lambs? First of all, the Bethlehem sheepfolds, where the angels showed up on the night of Jesus’ birth, were the source of the perfect lambs presented for sacrifice at the Temple a few miles away in Jerusalem. The keeping of such sheep was not just a part of the food chain or early garment industry, it was a sacred office held by Jewish ministers, probably Levites. To them was entrusted the ensurement of the perfection of these sheep and their lambs. According to the law the lambs had to be perfect. One blemish meant a person’s sins were not completely covered, leaving an opening for wrath to enter their life during the ensuing year. The protection of the perfect lamb’s blood was required. It was a prototype of Jesus, whose perfection enabled God to accept Him as slain for the entire world for all time, and then raise Him as a seal of that redemption.
Lambing duty for the Temple was esteemed, tet it was lowly. It was like doing toilet cleaning at your church. Or more appropriately, like watching the babies in the church nursery.
Yet it wasn’t to the Levitical priests in the Temple that the angels appeared. Look what happens when you do what God leads you to do, no matter how humble, especially in His house, the local church.
These humble, smelly, grungy shepherds were the first to see Jesus after His birth! You know they were special, their heart was for the house of the Lord in ways others weren’t. They were dedicating their lives to helping the faithful bring a worthy offering to God. And in return, they were blessed to see God’s next covenant offering, Jesus, the final Lamb.
Evidence suggests they were trained men, they knew the ancient scriptures, the law and the prophets and the poetry books, they had read of the mystery of God’s plan to put a “new heart” into His people. They had lots of time under the starry sky to meditate on that, probably had discussed it with one another over their campfires.
Look for a second at the story. The appearance of the angels began with one lone angel (Luke 2:8-20). He brought a radiant glory that was probably like 10 nuclear bombs going off at the same time, in terms of its brightness. They were utterly terrified. But then, as if this wasn’t enough, the angel was joined by armies of angels. I mean, God was laying it on thick! They sang the transcendent song thanking God and celebrating His gift in Jesus.
There was an unction of reassurance imparted to them so they could enjoy this visit. They moved from fear to faith, hope, joy and anticipation. This is what happens any time we turn from the natural understanding of things to the spiritual one. They were refreshed by their experience, and when it was over, they said, ‘let’s go and see what’s just went down in Bethlehem that we were told about’. They had the energy and enthusiasm to go what was probably about 6 miles to the city, search for and find the newborn Jesus.
Did they understand that He was the replacement for the lambs they were tending? Well, the angels called Him the Messiah. They at least know He was going to end the need for animal sacrifices. Oh there is so much to teach and see in this story that I cannot take the space for here.
If you are feeling a call to lamb duty or even a dirty job at your church, don’t despise it. One eminent pastor started out cleaning toilets at his church, for six years, before he was promoted to greeter. One day his preaching was known worldwide. Start somewhere. You’ll wind up loving it if it’s where God calls you to be. God promises that you will flourish in your own gifts by committing your time and energy to your church. You may even get visited by angels.
Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God. Ps 92:13
Author Danyelle Wolfe Read 