The Shepherds Were Surprised Messengers Today shepherds are thought of in a positive light. The life of a shepherd is looked upon with a romantic envy by people whose lives are busy without end. Those who serve in pastoral ministry are called shepherds of the flock of God. It’s a noble calling. It’s hard for us today to imagine how people in Jesus’ day felt about shepherds. They were despised, the lowest rung on the social ladder. Rabbis in Jesus’ day openly wondered how God could be compared to such a lowly and despicable role in Psalm 23. ...