Jesus Our Shepherd King

Introduction

This morning I want to study a passage that most of us read at least once a year during the season of Christmas. It tells us about the birth of Jesus from the perspective of Matthew, once tax collector who becomes a disciple and apostle of Jesus. Matthew begins chapter one with a lengthy genealogy of Jesus which spans 42 generations. His audience were primarily Jewish people, so the connection between Adam to David to Jesus proved that Jesus himself was in fact a descendant of King David, and therefore worthy to be the future king of the Jewish people. That is important. The prophets prophesied that a future king would save God’s people. Kingship is important. Their messianic theology included kingship and so does ours. Where we Christians differ on from the Jewish perspective is the type of king this new messiah would be. To use the term “shepherd king” did not fit into their world view of kingship and it was certainly not the messiah they were looking for.

For us Christians, it is important to embrace this concept of “shepherd king”. Why? Because that is what Jesus taught his disciples and that is what they teach us through their gospels. David was a shepherd and so was Jesus. Where did they learn to be shepherds? The most apparent answer to this question is from their fathers. That makes sense. David’s father had lots of sheep and David learned to be a shepherd from him. Jesus’ father was a carpenter or mason and he learned to be a carpenter or mason. But, wait, where did he learn to be a shepherd?

It is easy to theologize an answer to this question” “Well, God created him that way”. If we assert that Jesus was fully human, this answer doesn’t fit. God chose to send us his son through the birth canal of a woman who would nurture and teach the attributes of being a shepherd of sheep so that one day he could become a shepherd of men.

Too often, we jump on the kingship wagon, run to the Book of Revelation with our banners flying high and become warriors for the kingdom this is to come. Too often do we stop long enough to consider that before Jesus began his ministry he was taught the attributes of being a shepherd. I argue that this was not just from Joseph or even Joseph’s call. It was Mary, his mother, who taught him to be a shepherd and I think we see the genesis of this right here in Matthew 1:18 to 25.

Open you Bibles to this passage and let’s read it together. Let’s try to understand what it means for Jesus to be our Shepherd King. This is import because we get to choose which part off “Jesus Our Shepherd King” we emphasize in our own lives.

Background

Matthew 1:18–25 ESV

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

The primary focus of the gospel of Matthew is the arrival of the kingdom of God here on earth.

Transition: Repeat BIG IDEA and give transitional statement.

Main Point 1 (Remember: Include BIG IDEA along the way)

Transition: Repeat BIG IDEA and give transitional statement.

Main Point 2 (Remember: Include BIG IDEA along the way)

Transition: Repeat BIG IDEA and give transitional statement.

Summary (Remember: Include BIG IDEA along the way)

Review the main points.

Provide an application.

Closing

Wrap up conclusion/story (land the plane).

Point back to something said in the beginning.

Closing Prayer