The First Evangelists

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:8-20

So You Would Know

The first evangelists were not human but angels who first talked about the Savior of the world to the commonest if not the lowliest of professions, that of a shepherd. It is also among the oldest of professions. Abel, the son of Adam and Eve was probably the first shepherd. Among the most famous would be David, who fought and defeated the giant, Goliath. He would later become King David. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were also shepherds. Moses also became a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian.

But among these well known shepherds, it was to these unknown or unnamed shepherds written about by the gospel writer Luke, who will actually become the first human evangelists.

It is interesting to note that it was through them that the good news of the birth of the Messiah would first be entrusted and that they would be the first humans to speak about it. It is also interesting that everyone who heard of this from them were amazed. The angels did tell them that this good news that they initially told them will cause great joy for everyone. Actually as it turned out, this news which is still being spread around the world by common people today is mostly received not by joy but mostly by skepticism and scorn.

But true believers are still shepherding this good news of salvation to anyone willing to listen to it and receive it with joy. Will you?