Bethlehem, Shepherds, and a Baby wrapped in Swaddling Cloths
God is in the details. Sometimes the details are lost until we look for them. The Bible was written at a different time, in a different culture, and in a completely different language so it is easy to miss the important details.
It is no coincidence that Caesar Augustus called for a census to be taken which sent Joseph to Bethlehem to be counted. It is no accident that there was no room for them at the Inn and they had to stay in the manger. The manger wasn’t a wooden type barn that we think of, it was more like a cave, they had lambing caves where the animals gave birth and it is likely that is where Mary and Joseph went.
In Jesus’ day, Bethlehem and the surrounding fields were home to shepherds and sheep but not just any shepherds and sheep. The shepherds of Bethlehem were specially trained and purified shepherds in charge of raising the Passover lambs that would be used for the temple sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. They had specific and detailed instructions how to choose and care for the lambs. It was important that the lambs did not possess any blemishes in their coat or on their bodies. They had to be perfect. So, when sacrificial lambs were born,the shepherds brought them into the lambing caves. Theshepherd would rip off the bottom of his robe and wrap the lamb’s legs and body with strips of cloth and swaddle them so they wouldn’t cut or scrap their legs or bodies causing scars. When God’s Angels told the shepherds that they would find the Baby wrapped in cloths lying in the manger, they knew what that meant. It made sense that “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) would be born in among the sacred Temple flocks, the perfect Passover lambs, and it made sense that Lamb of God would be wrapped in swaddling cloths.
One more important detail….When a lamb was sacrificed in the temple, and its blood spilled to atone for sins the priest would return to the people and proclaim, “It is finished”. Jesus Christ, the lamb of God, without blemish or defect was crucified, His blood spilled to atone for our sins and before He died, he proclaimed, “It is finished”, and then died. He rose again on the third day and He is alive today standing at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.
In the book of Revelation, John tells us that he saw in Heaven, a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, and many angels numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand encircled Jesus’ throne, in a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
God is absolutely in the details!
Tiffany Martin
KGCR Manager
Oakley Wesleyan Church
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