What Child Is This - Shepherd
What Child Is This - Shepherd • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsThe image of the Shepherd is so common in the Bible that we might miss the complexity of Jesus claim to be "The Good Shepherd"
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Introduction
Manger Throne." A few years later the first three stanzas of that poem were set to the music of an
English traditional folk song called "Greensleeves" that soon became known as the beloved
Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" This combination of poetry and music first was published in
the United Kingdom in 1871 as a new song when it debuted in a prestigious compilation of Christmas
music called Christmas Carols Old and New. 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?
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 of an English traditional folk song called "Greensleeves" that soon became known as the beloved Christmas carol "What Child Is This?"
Shepherds
What Child Is This? - Shepherds
Tension
Manger Throne." A few years later the first three stanzas of that poem were set to the music of an
English traditional folk song called "Greensleeves" that soon became known as the beloved
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 of an English traditional folk song called "Greensleeves" that soon became known as the beloved Christmas carol "What Child Is This?"
Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" This combination of poetry and music first was published in
the United Kingdom in 1871 as a new song when it debuted in a prestigious compilation of Christmas
This combination of poetry and music first was published in the United Kingdom in 1871 as a new song when it debuted in a prestigious compilation of Christmas music called Christmas Carols Old and New. Sounds like a Pandora Channel that we might dial in at this time of year. For the past 150 years, the question found in the title of this carol has become this annual reminder that something significant happened on that night in Bethlehem as someone significant lay wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger.
music called Christmas Carols Old and New. 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?
For our Christmas series this year we are going to be tackling the question from this well known Carol and the first people in the carol that we find asking this question is 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 first
Christmas night. Luke's Gospel records the scene in chapter 2:8-18.
"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock
by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
What Child Is This? - Shepherds Video
them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I
bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a
Tension
ad to make sense of all that happened to them on that first Christmas Night. Luke's Gospel records the scene in chapter 2:8-18.
baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,
"Glory to God in the highest,
Can you even imagine what it would have been like to have been there with the Shepherds that night. I can imagine that an encounter like that would “awaken” an old soul. Their heads must have been spinning after their encounter with the angles. They were simply tending their sheep on the outskirts of Bethlehem like they did the night before and the night before that when it all happened all of a sudden, and they somehow were able to make sense of it all. Let me read to you the story as Luke lays it out for us:
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us
go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known
to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this
child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them."
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
My guess is that these words are familiar to you, maybe it brings you back to the tradition of having someone special read the story in your home each Christmas. Another tradition that many Christian families have is to set up a nativity somewhere in their house to remind them of the importance of this story.
While no nativity scene is complete without the shepherds' presence, subsequently, the answer to this Christmas Carol's question also would be only partial without the description of "shepherd."
I remember as a kid my parents had this large light up nativity that they would set up on the rooftops of the two porches of our home. And for some reason, of all the characters in the scene I was always partial to the shepherd. I even named him “Harry”, seemed like a good name for a Shepherd. And every year I would make sure that “Harry” had found his place in the nativity scene.
this Christmas Carol's question also would be only partial without the description of "shepherd."
Transitional Statement
a Shepherd. And every year I would make sure that “Harry” had found his place in the nativity scene. We all know that no nativity scene would be complete without the the presence of the shepherds' …what we might not know, is that the answer to our question of “What Child Is This” would also be incomplete without the description of a “shepherd”.
We all know that no nativity scene would be complete without the the presence of the shepherds' …what we might not often think about however, is that the answer to our question of “What Child Is This” would also be incomplete without the description of a “shepherd”.
What Child Is This? He is a shepherd.
told what a good shepherd does and who a good shepherd is in John's Gospel, chapter 10:11.
Now we have no record of Jesus growing up to sleep on a hillside as he watches over a flock of wool bearing animals, but we do find Jesus described as a shepherd. In fact, in the Gospel of John chapter 10, Jesus calls himself a shepherd”
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
There is something of Jesus that is reflected in the life and role of a Shepherd.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
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.
There is something of Jesus that is reflected in the role of a Shepherd.
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. While at times the shepherds in the Christmas story have been labeled as the ones who were a bit rough around the edges and living on the lowest rung of society's ladder, Jesus describes Himself as being a shepherd who has great responsibility. There is no greater responsibility than holding the life of another in the control of one's own hands. Protecting the life of others was the responsibility and calling of the shepherd.
The problem that we have is that none of us, to my knowledge, are shepherds. Even if you do happen to have a sheep or two, you probably still don’t know much about the life and role of Shepherds in Jesus’ day. So we have to take our clues to what Jesus is getting at here from the only trustworthy source that we have on Ancient times. To understand what Jesus meant by this we have to look at how the Bible describes the life and role of a Shepherd.
who came to lay His life down for all of humanity just as a good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep. While at times the shepherds in the Christmas story have been labeled as the ones who were
a bit rough around the edges and living on the lowest rung of society's ladder, Jesus describes
Himself as being a shepherd who has great responsibility. There is no greater responsibility than
holding the life of another in the control of one's own hands. Protecting the life of others was the
responsibility and calling of the shepherd.
with righteous government and often appear in contexts where the subject of justice is prominent.
Shepherds were expected to be the ones who showed kindness in counseling, protecting, and guiding
those whom they were responsible for through every difficulty. The shepherd often times was
intended to signify rulership as good, just, wise and beneficial for the people and particularly has
been associated as a metaphor of kings and deity. Even the shepherd's crook has been viewed
throughout the ages as a symbol of power, authority, and strength.
Thankfully, the Bible has more than a hundred references to the role of a Shepherd, and as we have been studying the book of Genesis the past couple of months the role has come up multiple times. In fact the image of the Shepherd in the early pages of the Bible is such a common theme that if we are not careful we might miss the significance of it. We run the risk of taking our limited understanding of a Shepherd and then apply it to Jesus. I think that would be a mistake, so we are going to walk through some of the aspects of the life and role of a Shepherd in order to come to a more fuller picture of what the Shepherds of the Nativity might have asked when they said: What Child Is This?
Let’s pray and then we will dive into this together
shepherds were in terms of how they are defined and described historically in the Bible, perhaps we
Truth
can gain a better and more complete understanding of the question: What Child Is This?
So this morning I just wanted to briefly touch on some of the places where this has come up so far in our study on Genesis.
The role of the Shepherd is actually the first occupation mentioned after Adam and Eve were forced out of the garden of Eden. Remember they had two sons and text says that...
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
all of creation changed, even the need f There were no predetors o
It is the first occupation mentioned It is certain that there were sheep in the Garden of Eden, but they didn’t need herding. They never wandered off, and even if they did they were in no danger as there were no predators, pain or death. In God’s original creation every creature was safe and free to roam without negative consequence, but when sin entered the World, it affected every aspect of God’s creation.
had begun their life together outside of Eden, we learn that their son, Abel, was a shepherd.
So Adam most likely learned the value of keeping a bunch of sheep together, and then he taught this skill to his sons along with the hard work of coaxing food from the ground. describes how each of Adam’s sons were born into these roles:
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.”
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
"Now Abel was a keeper of sheep…"
Abel’s role as a Shepherd is probably what lead him to offer the accepted lamb as a sacrifice to God, instead of grain like his brother Cain did.
2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.
In biblical days, those who possessed flocks of sheep and other animals that needed shepherding such as goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels were viewed as wealthy and powerful. Great flocks and herds were deemed as blessings from the hand of God. Abraham is an example of such a blessing of this type when he is described in .
such as goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels were viewed as wealthy and powerful. Great
Over time, people started to value the wealth of a person’s household by the number of animals that they were able to herd together. This included flocks of sheep but also goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels. As your flocks herds grew so did your need for Shepherds, so people with wealth like this also acquired many servants to care for their animals. This added to your wealth and power, and more importantly it was seen as a blessing from God.
In biblical days, those who possessed flocks of sheep and other animals that needed shepherding
flocks and herds were deemed as blessings from the hand of God. Abraham is an example of such a
blessing of this type when he is described in .
But over time, those who possessed flocks of sheep and other animals that needed shepherding such as goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels were viewed as wealthy and powerful. We saw this in Abraham’s story when he sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant speaks of Abraham’s flocks to convince Rebekah's family that this marriage to a man she had never met was a good idea. The servant said:
such as goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels were viewed as wealthy and powerful. Great
We saw this in Abraham’s story when he sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant uses these very markers to convince Rebekah's family that the marriage was a good idea. The servant said:
Over time, those who possessed flocks of sheep and other animals that needed shepherding such as goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels were viewed as wealthy and powerful. Great flocks and herds were deemed as blessings from the hand of God, and if your family wasn’t large enough to keep the sheep then you acquired servants to extend the reach of your Shepherding . We saw this in Abraham’s story when he sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant uses these very markers to convince Rebekah's family that this marriage to a man she had never met was a good idea. The servant said:
flocks and herds were deemed as blessings from the hand of God. Abraham is an example of such a
But you dodn’t need a shepherd for one sheep. Shepherds were only needed when someone possessed flocks of sheep and/or other animals that needed shepherding such as goats, cows, oxen, horses, donkeys, and camels. If you had flocks and herds like this then you were viewed as wealthy and powerful and more importantly you were deemed as blessed by God.
We saw this in Abraham’s story when he sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant uses these very markers to convince Rebekah's family that the marriage was a good idea. The servant said:
blessing of this type when he is described in .
Remember when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant is bragging a bit on his master and he very intentionally mentions his flocks and herds to impress the family of young Rebecca.
"The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds…camels and donkeys."
35 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.
and herds…camels and donkeys."
We saw this idea again when we briefly looked at the story of Job. One of the ways that Job was brought to ruin was when his flocks and herds were taken from him, but when God gave it back to him...and then some... he was considered even more blessed and wealthy than before.
Job, a man equated with experiencing and enduring some of the most difficult trials and seasons of loss, later is deemed as one who was blessed and wealthy because of the flocks in his care.
12 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.
loss, later is deemed as one who was blessed and wealthy because of the flocks in his care.
"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."
12 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.
sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys."
In the ancient world, and even today, there were really only two kinds of Shepherds. Shepherds who owned the sheep and shepherds who were hired to shepherd the sheep.
Jesus speaks about having many sheep later within the passage referenced earlier.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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.
and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are
And most recently we studied the story of Jacob and his great love for Rachel. Jacob arrivesd in town looking for a wife and meets up with several shepherds waiting to water their sheep at the well. Then Rachel shows up and Jacob shows off by removing the huge stone from the well and watering all of her families sheep. And that is only the first time that Jacob will water the sheep of Rachel’s family as he is tricked into 20 years of serving Rachel’s conniving father Laban as one of his Shepherds.
not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one
The owner of the flocks often was the one who also was the shepherd of his sheep such as Abel in and Jacob in . Other times the work of a shepherd was delegated to both the daughters and sons of the owner. In , 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.
Then…as we studied for this week... God gives Jacob a new name, from here on out He is called “Israel”. The extended family of Jacob the Shepherd, becomes the nation we call Israel. The 12 tribes of Israel are from the 12 sons of Jacob the Shepherd.
flock, one shepherd."
And that is only the first time that Jacob will water the sheep of Rachel’s family as he is tricked into 20 years of serving Rachel’s conniving father Laban. He spent this whole time shepherding Laban’s flocks. At one point Laban tries to dissuade Jacob from leaving again by asking him what he wants for his wages
31 He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it: 32 let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages.
29 Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?” 31 He said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this for me, I will again pasture your flock and keep it: 32 let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep and every black lamb, and the spotted and speckled among the goats, and they shall be my wages.
Genesis
So for 6 more years Jacob served Laban as a Shepherd, even though Laban changed his wages 10 times. Then…as we studied for this week... God gives Jacob a new name, from here on out He is called “Israel”. The extended family of Jacob the Shepherd, becomes the nation we call Israel. The 12 tribes of Israel are from the 12 sons of Jacob the Shepherd.
Genesis 30:
Even Jacob’s life was the life of a Shepherd. Then God gives Jacob a new name, from here on out He is called “Israel”. The extended family of Jacob the Shepherd, becomes the nation we call Israel.
And what was Jacob doingJacob’s life was the life of a Shepherd. Then God gives Jacob a new name, from here on out He is called “Israel”. The extended family of Jacob the Shepherd, becomes the nation we call Israel.
Jacob’s life was the life of a Shepherd. Then God gives Jacob a new name, from here on out He is called “Israel”. The extended family of Jacob the Shepherd, becomes the nation we call Israel.
The owner of the flocks often was the one who also was the shepherd of his sheep such as Abel in
The Patriarchs of the nation of Israel, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to one degree or another were all Shepherds. And if you don’t see enough significance yet, read further and you will be able to add Moses and David to this list. It’s a pretty striking list.
The owner of the flocks often was the one who also was the shepherd of his sheep such as Abel in and Jacob in . Other times the work of a shepherd was delegated to both the daughters and sons of the owner. In , 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.
1. Moses - who left Pharaoh's palace to become a Shepherd and
2. King David - probably the best known Shepherd in all the Bible.
It is no wonder that we find so many Old Testament references to great leaders being like a Shepherd.
Look at this list.
And that is not the end of the list of the well-known Shepherds of the Bible, for last week at the closing of the children’s program, we talked about probably the most famous Shepherd of all of Israel. 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.
and Jacob in . Other times the work of a shepherd was delegated to both the
And we haven’t even gotten to one of the most famous shepherds of all of Israel. 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. When the prophet Samuel went out to Jesse’s place to annoint David as king, he had to call him in from watching the sheep:
daughters and sons of the owner. In , 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
Last week, at the closing of the children’s program, we talked about King David who everyone knows to have been the Shepherd boy who slew Goliath. Jesse’s son, David, was given the responsibility to take care of his earthly father's sheep long before he would be called to care for and lead the flock of his Heavenly Father.
Last week at the closing of the children’s program, we talked about King David who everyone knows to have been the Shepherd boy who slew Goliath. Jesse’s son, David, was given the responsibility to take care of his earthly father's sheep long before he would be called to care for and lead the people of Israel.
would do on a daily basis.
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.
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.
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.
In fact when the prophet Samuel went out to Jesse’s place to anoint David as the new king, that is exactly where they found him - out with the sheep. 7 of David’s older brothers were paraded in front of Samuel and God said “nope”
"The Lord said to Samuel, "…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."
1 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.”
11 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.”
10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 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.” 12 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.” 13 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.
10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 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.”
1 Samuel 16:10-13
So David comes in from Shepherding and is anointed King over all of Israel and you know what he does then. He goes back to the Sheep. Soon after, when war breaks out against the Philistines (and Goliath), David’s brothers leave home to fight in the battle.
So David comes in from Shepherding and is annointed King over all of Israel and you know what he does then. He goes back to the Sheep. When war breaks out against the Philistines (and Goliath, David’s brothers left to fight in the battle.
,
Even after this incredibly significant anointing of David as the future king of Israel, he continued to
15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
1 Samuel
Do you see the importance of the life and role of the Shepherd in the history of God’s People?
fulfill his duties as a shepherd while King Saul still was enthroned and leading Israel.
Not only that, do you see the importance of being a Shepherd from Bethlehem?
14 David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
"The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three
King David ruled as King in Jerusalem, but he was born and raised in Bethlehem. That is where the Angel’s sent the Shepherds that first Christmas Night, to the “The city of David”, the place where David was a Shepherd before he was King.
1 Samuel 17: David runs back and forth so that he could shepherd his families sheep Even after this incredibly significant anointing of David as the future king of Israel, he continued to fulfill his duties as a shepherd while King Saul still was enthroned and leading Israel.
sons who went to battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third
Do you see the importance of the role of the Shepherd in the history of the Israelites?
The Shepherds that were to visit the Christ Child in Bethlehem were not chosen haphazardly. The role of the Shepherd has always had a rich and noble heritage among God’s people
Shammah. David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and
Not only that, do you see the importance of being a Shepherd in Bethlehem?
forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem."
The Shepherds that were to visit the Christ Child in Bethlehem were not chosen haphasardly. The role of the Shepherd has always had a rich and noble heritage among God’s people.
13 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. 14 David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.
But is that what we see when we look at the Shepherd in the Nativity Scene? A rich and noble heritage? We might see that in the Wise Men - and we don’t even know much about them - but we typically don’t see that in the Shepherds do we. In fact we typically hear that the Shepherds in Jesus’ day were known to be lowly, uncivilized people who had questionable moral standing.
The child that would be born in the manger in Bethlehem would be near the pastures that David grazed his father's sheep centuries beforehand. The Savior of the world, the good shepherd, would be born in the City of David and a direct descendent of the King who also was a good shepherd in bygone days.
The child that would be born in the manger in Bethlehem would be near the pastures that David
Now you might be wondering then, why do we so often hear about the Shepherds being lowly, uncivilized and even having questionable moral character?
One of my favorite modern day comparisons is to liken them to the “carnies” that go from festival to festival towing around carnival rides of questionable integrity. They seem to be quite similar as they move from town to town, no one really knows them or their backstory and they have fewer bathing opportunities and you kind of get the feeling that they could skip town at a moments notice if they needed to.
grazed his father's sheep centuries beforehand. The Savior of the world, the good shepherd, would
Unfortunately this image is closer to the one earned by Shepherds in Jesus’ day, particularly with the nomadic Shepherds, but this was not always the case in days gone by, especially in the hills outside of Bethlehem.
So my challenge for us today is to look beyond our previous notions of a Shepherd to something more. Something that is probably best captured in the first half of one of the most famous poem from David, the Shepherd King. We won’t find any pictures of the “carnie life” here as David compares the LORD to the role of a good shepherd.
To see the role of a Shepherd clearest we are going to look at the first few lines of the most famous poem from the Shepherd King David in . There is no picture of the “carnie life” here as David compares the LORD to the role of a good shepherd.
So if you are like me, you might be asking? Why is it then that we The child that would be born in the manger in Bethlehem would be near the pastures that David grazed his father's sheep centuries beforehand. The Savior of the world, the good shepherd, would be born in the City of David and a direct descendent of the King who also was a good shepherd in bygone days.
The child that would be born in the manger in Bethlehem would be near the pastures that David grazed his father's sheep centuries beforehand. The Savior of the world, the good shepherd, would be born in the City of David and a direct descendent of the King who also was a good shepherd in bygone days.
be born in the City of David and a direct descendent of the King who also was a good shepherd in
1 “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. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
bygone days.
What child is this? He is a shepherd and king just as his ancestor David.
1. The Good Shepherd Provides for His Sheep (Psalm 23:1-2)
1. The Good Shepherd Provides for His Sheep (Psalm 23:1-2)
The Good Shepherd Provides for His Sheep
The Good Shepherd Provides for His Sheep
In fact 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 that begins with truth that echoes the answer to the question of the carol: What Child Is This?
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
enough food and water. David's most famous poem speaks to these priorities in 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."
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
1. Shepherds Provide and Guide ()
1. Shepherds Provide and Guide ()
In fact the principal duty of the shepherd was to make sure the animals that were under his or her care had enough food and water. They would travel around evaluating the terrain and the vegetation making sure that their was plenty of green grass to eat and calm water to drink from. They would look for calm water because sheep scatter easy, so they would not get close to rushing waters.
I imagine that when David spoke of green pastures and still waters that he was able to picture himself in a pasture maybe one that he knew by name. He saw how the sheep behaved differently. How the plentiful food and the calm waters of the brook that ran along in that pasture refreshed and comforted the sheep. It is that understanding that leads him to able to say, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake”.
David's most famous poem speaks to these priorities in that begins with truth that echoes the answer to the question of the carol: What Child Is This?
The leading of a good Shepherd isn’t one of domineering and oppressive directives, but one where the sheep trust the Shepherd because they know Him and they are marked with his name.
Psalm 23:3-4
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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.
Shepherds provide for and guide their sheep.
.
2. Shepherds Protect and Correct ()
2. Shepherds Protect and Correct ()
2. The Good Shepherd Protects and Corrects ()
2. The Good Shepherd Protects and Corrects ()
Just as the shepherd was responsible for the food and water provisions of the sheep, protecting the flock also was another of his highest priorities. Outside of the Garden of Eden, all sheep are easy prey for the forces of this world that are bent on their destruction. A Shepherd had to be both willing and able to step in between the flock and any obstacle that threatened them.
Just as the shepherd was responsible for the food and water provisions of the sheep, protecting the
Just as the shepherd was responsible for the food and water provisions of the sheep, protecting the flock also was a priority that continually must be provided. Sheep were easy prey for wild animals as seen in various places of the Bible, and a Shepherd had to be both willing and able to step in between the flock and any obstacle that threatened them. David used his experience as a Shepherd to convince King Saul to let him go up against Goliath.
Just as the shepherd was responsible for the food and water provisions of the sheep, protecting the flock also was a priority that continually must be provided. Sheep were easy prey for wild animals as seen in various places of the Bible.
flock also was a priority that continually must be provided. Sheep were easy prey for wild animals as
When David was a Shepherd, he referenced his experience in protecting the sheep to convince King Saul to let him go up against Goliath.
seen in various places of the Bible.
34 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, 35 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.
"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
Wait, What? Tell me that this doesn’t rework your pretty boy image of “David the cute little Shepherd Boy”. The kid ran after lions and bears and grabbed them by their beard to kill them? That’s like crazy next level warrior type stuff man, I mean who does that?
it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and
killed him."
A Shepherd does - when any of his lambs are threatened. He will lay down his life for his sheep. continues to speak of how David feels this kind of protection as he trust the LORD to be his Shepherd.
This was not hyperbole, this was the kind of lengths that a good Shepherd will go to in order to protect those who are a part of his flock. He will lay down his life for his sheep. continues to speak of how David feels this kind of protection as he trust the LORD to be his Shepherd.
David continues in to speak of the protection he felt from the Lord as his shepherd.
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
4 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 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:
A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
David describes attributes of the Lord who not only provides for his nourishment, but also protects
The rod of a Shepherd was sometimes used as a club to strike a bear of lion as David describes and other times it was used as a goad to keep Sheep moving in the right direction and at the right pace.
1. Shepherds Provide for and Guide their sheep ()
2. Shepherds Protect and Correct their sheep ()
2. The Good Shepherd Protects and Corrects ()
2. The Good Shepherd Protects and Corrects ()
2. The Good Shepherd Protects and Corrects ()
3. Shepherds are Present and Pursue ()
3. Shepherds are Present and Pursue ()
him wherever he might find himself in life. These characteristics of the good shepherd help answer
The second tool of a Shepherd that David mentions in verse 4 is the Shepherds staff. Often pictured as a Shepherds crook, with a hook at the top end. Shepherds used these tools for several different things.
For one thing it was primarily used as a walking stick. While Shepherds in ancient times did sometimes use dogs, they never rode horses, donkeys or 4 whealers to heard their sheep. They walked among their sheep. If they were leading their sheep to greener pastures or to a new water source they didn’t just give them directions and then say good luck. They walked with them, leading them the entire way. They were present with their sheep.
For one thing it was primarily used as a walking stick. While Shepherds in Jesus’ did sometimes use dogs, they didn’t ride horses or 4 wheelers or anything like that. They walked among their sheep. If they were leading their sheep to greener pastures or a new water source they didn’t just give them directions and then say good luck. They walked with them, leading them the entire way.
One is as a walking stick. While Shepherds in Jesus’ did sometimes use dogs, they didn’t ride horses or 4 wheelers, they walked among their sheep. If they were leading their sheep to greener pastures or a new water source they didn’t just give them directions and then say good luck. They walked with them, leading them all along.
The staff was also used to pull sheep closer to them so that they would not wander in the wrong direction. Sometimes it was waved in the air to redirect a group of sheep and sometimes it was used to hook a sheep around the neck to bring them back to a safer place in the flock. This might sound kind of harsh, to grab a sheep with a big hook but it was really the most gentle thing that a Shepherd could do.
In fact, Shepherds will most often use this technique with the smallest lambs. If you have many sheep giving birth at the same time sometimes it is hard for the babies to find their mothers. The Shepherd will literally “hook” up the right baby to the right mom by using the staff because if he used his hands the mother sheep would smell his odor on the baby lamb and then not recognize the lamb as her own. So the hook is used to draw the youngest of the sheep back to it’s source of nutrients, love, and support.
In fact, Shepherds will most often use this technique with the smallest lambs. If you have many sheep giving birth at the same time sometimes it is hard for the babies to find their mothers. The Shepherd will literally “hook” up the right baby to the right mom by using the staff because if he used his hands the mother sheep would smell his odor on the baby lamb and then not recognize the lamb as her own. So the hook is used to draw the youngest of the sheep back to it’s source of nutrients, love, and support.
Lastly, the staff was sometimes used to pull the Sheep close for inspection. Sometimes this is around the sheep’s neck, but more often it is used to lift one of the sheep’s back legs rendering it immobile for a period of time until the Shepherd can examine and address any needs that the sheep might have.
David called the LORD his Shepherd
I don’t know about you, but as I consider the role of the Shepherd and how David says that God is our Shepherd I can’t help but wonder about times in my life when I think God must have been bringing out His staff on me. Anybody else thinking about this right now?
Maybe waving it in my face to get me to change direction or in extreme situations all out grabbing me around the neck to yank me back to where I know I need to be.
Other times I know that I, like a new born lamb, have wandered from relationships in my life that I know are good for me. They grow me and guide me and sometimes I wander away and I need him to put the person right in my path again in some sort of un-assuming way.
Both these attributes of a Shepherd and how he relates to his sheep are so applicable to the way that God relates to us. his people. Did you see anything in the Shepherd that David described that seems like a need in your life?
Or I think about times when life seems to have been stalled out and now I have this picture that God’s staff of comfort was actually just holding up my back lag, immobilizing me for time so that that he could address something in my life.
There has been many times in my life when God has acted like a good Shepherd and I acted like a dumb sheep. I hope you can see too that this is how God wants to relate to us. He wants to play the role of the Shepherd in our lives.
1. To Provide for us and Guide us.
1. To Provide for us and Guide us.
2. To Protect us and Correct us.
2. To Protect us and Correct us.
3. To be Present in our lives and to Pursue us when we lose our way.
3. To be Present in our lives and to Pursue us when we lose our way.
Gospel Application
These are exactly the attributes that Jesus was after when he calls himself “The Good Shepherd”, and he had to add that adjective of “good” because the reputation of the Shepherd had degenerated into something less then it once was.
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:
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.
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.
To be fair though, the same thing had happened for other roles as well…like the priests and religious leaders of Jesus’ day. God gave his people the role of the religious leaders, but it too had degenerated from it’s original design. In fact Jesus was talking to some of these religious leaders when he made his claim of being the “Good Shepherd.”
Unfortunately the reputation of the Shepherd had degenerated into something less than God intended, but to be fair the same thing had happened for the roles of others…like the religious leaders of the day. In fact Jesus was talking to the religious leaders when he made this claim of being the Good Shepherd. He was speaking metaphorically to help them to understand that even though they thought that they were the ones leading people to a right relationship with God, they were not. These religious leaders didn’t even understand
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.
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.
As we have spent the morning looking at what the life and role of a Shepherd was meant to be, in closing today I just want to read to you Jesus’ words about being “The Good Shepherd” and see what connections God might make in your hearts in minds.
another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of
1 “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. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep
The people kept flocking after Jesus and this was making the religious leaders so angry. They wanted the people to follow after them, but they were supposed to helping the people to follow after God. Specifically, they were supposed to be pointing the people to the hope found in the promise of the coming Messiah. And here the promised Messiah was standing right in front of them and they couldn’t even see Him for who He was. They didn’t recognize the voice of the “Good Shepherd”
This degenerated reputation of Shepherds was the reason that Jesus felt the need to qualify his image with an important adjective. He didn’t just say that he was a Shepherd, because that would leave his listeners with whatever experience they had with Shepherds. Probably the most recent one. So Jesus qualifies the description with the word “Good” and then goes on to tell us what it means to be a “Good Shepherd”.
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
1 “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. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
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
You see the religious leaders were trying to get rid of Jesus because he was threatening their power as people kept flocking after him. (pun intended). Jesus’ answer to the leaders hostility is that these people are not leaving them to come after him, they were never theirs in the first place. The religious leaders just stole them from Jesus in the firsts place. The role of the religious leaders was to lead people to God through the promised Messiah, and here the promise Messiah is and he find them leading the people only to themselves.
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."
1 “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. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
You see the religious leaders were trying to get rid of Jesus because he was threatening their power as people kept flocking after him. (pun intended). Jesus’ answer to the leaders hostility is that these people are not leaving them to come after him, they were never theirs in the first place. The religious leaders just stole them from Jesus in the firsts place. The role of the religious leaders was to lead people to God through the promised Messiah, and here the promise Messiah is and he find them leading the people only to themselves.
So the question that each one of us has to answer is, “Am I part of the flock of the Good Shepherd?” or am I still wandering around helpless and hopeless.
When the Prophet Isaiah used sheep language when he talked about the coming Messiah, He said:
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus, The Good She
:
are coming after him because they belong to him
People were following after Jesus because they belonged to the flock of the “Good Shepherd” even though they had been previously stolen away by these powerful yet un-Godly men.
Are you part of the flock?
All we like sheep have gone astray -
Jesus said:
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Landing
sure they were kept intact and would go the extra mile to make sure one that was lost was looked for
10 “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. 12 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? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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until it was found as Jesus taught in His parable of the lost sheep found in .
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.
"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
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. Isaiah the prophet speaks of the Lord who would come in vivid imagery of a good shepherd.
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. Isaiah the prophet
speaks of the Lord who would come in vivid imagery of a good shepherd.
"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."
11 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.
When Jesus completed the rescue mission on the cross outside of Jerusalem three decades after being
born in the Bethlehem manger, He restored, empowered and entrusted the shepherding
responsibilities to Peter on the shores of Galilee where they first met three years earlier. The whole
conversation revolved around the ongoing role and responsibility of being and training others to be
15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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.
shepherds of the ones Jesus came to rescue and call His own.
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."
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.
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.
So this Christmas whenever you see the Shepherd in the Nativity scene, I would like to encourage you to think more of how those Shepherds left that stable then how they entered in. They might have entered lowly, uncivilized and morally questionable but they left telling everyone about the birth of the one who would become “The Good Shepherd”.
We would do well to do the same.
said he would be. Now go and tell everyone what has been heard, seen and experienced concerning
Let’s Pray.
What child is this?
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.
