What Child is This: He is the Good Shepherd
What Child is This? • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction: The year was 1865 and an Englishman named William Chatterson Dix penned the words to a poem he entitled, “The Manger Throne.” The first three lines of that poem would later be set to music and would become known as the carol, “What Child is This?” This carol serves as a reminder that something miraculous and eternally significant happened on that night in Bethlehem. The Christ child was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laid in a manger. This child, born in this humble place, would change the world forever. Over the next several weeks we want to answer the question, “What Child is This?”
Scripture Introduction: Among the many questions the shepherds must have been asking this night, surely they must have asked in their spirits, if not out loud, “What Child is This?” In the Gospel of Luke we find they have an angelic encounter, and received the startling news of this child’s birth, while they watched their sheep on the outskirts of Bethlehem. They heads must have been spinning as they tried to take it all in.
Let’s go back in time together as we read and try to comprehend as much as we can all they experienced that wonderful night! Read passage . . .
In 1865, an Englishman named William Chatterton Dix penned the words to a poem entitled "The Manger Throne." A few years later the first three stanzas of that poem were set to the music, and it soon became known as the beloved carol "What Child Is This?" This combination of poetry and music first was published in the United Kingdom in 1871. For close to a century and a half the question found in the title of this carol has become an annual reminder that something significant happened on that night in Bethlehem as Someone significant lay wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. This child would change the world forever; but what child is this?
The title of the carol, "What Child Is This?", is intended to be the primary question the shepherds must have asked on the night they visited the baby Jesus. After their angelic encounter and receiving the startling news while they tended their sheep on the outskirts of Bethlehem, their heads must have been spinning rapidly. They tried to comprehend all they experienced on that night. Luke’s Gospel records the scene in .
Scripture Introduction: The title of the carol, "What Child Is This?", is intended to be the primary question the shepherds must have asked on the night they visited the baby Jesus. After their angelic encounter and receiving the startling news while they tended their sheep on the outskirts of Bethlehem, their heads must have been spinning rapidly. They tried to comprehend all they experienced on that night. Luke’s Gospel records the scene in .
Some may think it strange that God would choose to reveal this miraculous birth to shepherds. After all, throughout history they have been labeled as being “rough around the edges” and were often considered to be “on the lowest rung of society’s ladder.” Yet that is exactly who God chooses to go to FIRST!
I do not think it’s any coincidence that God chose the shepherds to be the first recipients of this wonderful message concerning the birth of Christ. You see, when Jesus became a man and began His public ministry He would go on to refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd. So when we ask the question, “What Child Is This” we know part of that answer is...
Today I hope that we can see this scene through the shepherd’s eyes and gain a better understanding and a better appreciation of all they experienced. I think it is very significant that the angels appeared to shepherds because . . .
He is the Shepherd Child
He is the Shepherd Child
Notice what Jesus says in
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
This child would grow up to become the Shepherd that would lay down His life and give His life for His sheep. He willingly and freely laid down His life for all of humanity, just as a good shepherd would risk and even lay down his life for his sheep if necessary.
This is a summary statement of what this child in the manger came to be for all people. He is the one who came to lay His life down for all of humanity just as a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Throughout history shepherds have been labeled as ones who were a bit rough around the edges and who lived on the lowest rung of society's ladder. God chooses to reveal His Son to shepherds and later Jesus would describe Himself as being a shepherd who has the greatest responsibility. Protecting the life of others was the responsibility and calling of the shepherd.
So . . .
What’s the Big Deal About Shepherds & Sheep?
What’s the Big Deal About Shepherds & Sheep?
Although shepherds were often looked down upon in society, they are highly regarded in Scripture. As a matter of fact, the term “shepherd” appears over 100 times in Scripture.
Shepherds were equated with righteous government and often appeared in contexts where the subject of justice is prominent. This shepherd metaphor was often used to demonstrate that rulers were to be good, wise, just and beneficial for the people they served.
Even the shepherd's crook has been viewed throughout the ages as a symbol of power, authority, and strength.
Shepherds were expected to be the ones who showed kindness, protection, and guidance.
On a positive note, according to one resource, shepherds were equated with righteous government and often appeared in contexts where the subject of justice is prominent. Shepherds were expected to be the ones who showed kindness, protection, and guidance.
Throughout the Bible, shepherds are mentioned over one hundred times. If we can understand who shepherds were in terms of how they are defined and described historically in the Bible, perhaps we can gain a better and more complete understanding of the question: What Child Is This?
One of the first careers found in the pages of the Bible is that of the shepherd. After Adam and Eve had begun their life together outside of Eden, we learn that their son, Abel, was a shepherd. Notice
And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
In Bible times, those who possessed flocks of sheep and other animals that needed shepherding were viewed as wealthy and powerful. For instance we know both Job and Abraham had flocks of animals and other material wealth.
In Genesis 29, Laban's daughter, Rachel, is given the responsibility of shepherding her father's sheep. In fact, the first time Jacob meets Rachel, who would turn out to be the love of his life, she is working the sheep and leading them to water, just as a good shepherd would do on a daily basis.
Jesse’s son, David, was given the responsibility to care for his father’s sheep before he would be called to care for Israel as their king. As a matter of fact, it was while he was tending his father’s sheep that he was anointed by Samuel the prophet to become the king of Israel.
One of the things I find truly amazing about this story is that the baby that would be born in Bethlehem was born in what we know to be the “City of David.” The Shepherd Child would be born near the very same pastures that King David shepherded his sheep in when he was just a boy!
The point is, over and over again, throughout Scripture, from Genesis into the New Testament, shepherds and sheep are used as a powerful illustration and metaphor. Once again we turn to for some more insight into the concept of the Shepherd Child.
The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, camels and donkeys.
The point is, over and over again, throughout Scripture, from Genesis into the New Testament, shepherds and sheep are used as a powerful illustration and metaphor. Once again we turn to for some more insight into the concept of the Shepherd Child.
And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.
Jesus speaks about having many sheep in the John 10 passage referenced earlier—
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Likewise, Jesse's son, David, was given the responsibility to take care of his father's sheep before he would be called to care for and lead the people of Israel as their king. In fact, the place David was found before he was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel was out in the fields tending his father's sheep—see ,
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”
And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
Not only is Jesus the Shepherd Child, it is also important to note that . . .
He is the Shepherd King
He is the Shepherd King
What child is this? He is a shepherd and king just as his ancestor David.
The principal duty of the shepherd was to make sure the animals that were under his or her care had enough food and water. David's most famous poem speaks to these priorities in Psalm 23 that begins with truth that echoes the answer to the question of the carol: What Child Is This?
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
The shepherd was also responsible for protecting the flock. Sheep were easy prey for wild animals as seen in various places of the Bible.
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.
David continues in Psalm 23 to speak of the protection he felt from the Lord as his shepherd.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
David makes it clear through this Psalm that the Lord not only provides for his nourishment, but He also protects him wherever he may be in life. That is exactly what the Shepherd Child and Shepherd King would do for us as well. He provides for us and He protects us from unseen dangers and enemies that we may not even be aware of!
David describes attributes of the Lord who not only provides for his nourishment, but also protects him wherever he might find himself in life. These characteristics of the good shepherd help answer the question the shepherds posed at the Nativity: What Child Is This? He is the one who will provide for and protect all who are under His care.
This Good Shepherd would not only protect his sheep from wild animals, but also from thieves who might try to snatch them away from their home and the life that was intended for them by the one who watched over and owned them.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Notice again Jesus’ words from
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Finally we see . . .
He is the Shepherd That is Searching for Lost Sheep
He is the Shepherd That is Searching for Lost Sheep
The Good Shepherd went to great lengths to take care of those under his or her care. He would make sure they were kept intact and would go the extra mile to make sure one that was lost was looked for until it was found . . .
Isaiah uses this imagery in
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Once again we find it used in the New Testament as Jesus says:
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
What child is this? He is the one who left all the riches and comfort of heaven to look for the ones who went astray. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one of us—to our own way. The mission of the shepherd is to look for and rescue the ones who are lost. This is what a Good Shepherd naturally does. This is who this child in the manger would grow to become. He is the one who came to seek and to save those who were lost, alone, exposed, and astray.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Jesus completed His rescue mission three decades after His birth. He, as the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for His sheep and opened the door and allowed you and I to enter into the “sheepfold.” One question
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
FINAL APPLICATIONS:
Are YOU a Sheep or a Goat?
Are YOU a Sheep or a Goat?
There is another analogy we find in Scripture. Sheep are often used to represent God’s children who have placed their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior and who are under the Shepherd’s care. However, those who do not know Christ and have rejected Him are referred to as “goats.” One day there will be a dividing of the sheep and the goats.
There are MANY who call themselves “sheep” and assume they are “sheep” when in reality they are actually “goats.” They don’t have a relationship with the Shepherd, they don’t live for the Shepherd, they don’t follow the Shepherd and they only use the Shepherd for what they can get out of Him, but in reality they aren’t sheep at all. Christ KNOWS those who are His and it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that YOU know that YOU are one of His sheep and not a “goat in sheep’s clothing.”
He didn’t lay down His life for you to leave you a goat, He laid down His life for you to transform you into a spotless lamb that has been washed in His blood and who is now following the “Lord as your shepherd.”
What child is this? He is the one who came to lay down His life. He is the one who came to provide for and protect His flock. He is the one blessed beyond measure with ones He would call His own and who would come to know His voice. He is the one who is the good shepherd.
His name is Jesus, the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in the manger, just as the angel said he would be. Now go and tell everyone what has been heard, seen and experienced concerning who this child is, just as the shepherds did on that first Christmas in Bethlehem. What child is this?
He is a shepherd…the Good Shepherd.
Demonstrate Your Trust in the Shepherd’s Leading by FOLLOWING Him!
Demonstrate Your Trust in the Shepherd’s Leading by FOLLOWING Him!
As you TRUST and FOLLOW the Shepherd’s leading there will be NOTHING you will lack.
He will lead you to REST in green pastures and LIE DOWN beside the still waters. Stop fighting against His plans and purposes for your life. There is no rest there!
He will RESTORE your soul!
He will LEAD you along RIGHT PATHS (notice) FOR HIS NAME’s SAKE! Again stop fighting His Word. Stop fighting His instructions and His will. If you can trust Him with the most valuable possession you have (your soul) can’t you also trust Him with the rest of YOUR life?
There will be times you will walk through a DARK valley—the valley of the shadow of death—but even there, even then you do not have to FEAR any evil because HE IS WITH YOU! He may call you to eat in the “presence of your enemies” but He will make your cup to OVERFLOW!
When we do not follow Him, His Word and His Instruction we are acting as if we know better than God. We act upon our “feelings” rather than our faith. Then we find ourselves in a confusing mess of our own making, wandering and going astray. Feasting upon things things that are dangerous and unhealthy for our spiritual lives. Leading others and our children down harmful paths as well.
Can we really say we are TRUSTING THE SHEPHERD’s leading if we are not FOLLOWING His leading?
What are We Doing to Introduce Others to the Shepherd Child?
What are We Doing to Introduce Others to the Shepherd Child?
Recently, in another message, I asked you to think about what you were doing to introduce others to Jesus. I hope that you’ve had some time to think about that and once again I want to encourage you to make the commitment to Christ that you are going to begin sharing your faith and sharing with others what Christ has done in and through your life.