Why the Shepherds? John 10:7-18

I. Jesus Protects Us vs. 7-13

A. The shepherds that Jesus was announced to protected their sheep they were watching their flocks by night. Luke 2:8

Luke 2:8 NASB95

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

B. Jesus watches us, protects us, and rejoices over us. “Their lives would never again be the same; the sky would never seem so dark. They would know that just as they kept watch over their sheep by night, Someone far greater was keeping watch over them.”- David Jeremiah.

Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

II. Jesus Knows Us vs. 14-16

A. The shepherds knew their flocks.

B. Jesus knows us. Luke 12:7

Luke 12:7 NASB95

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

“But who were the first human visitors? That was an honor reserved for the lowliest of the low, the least educated of men, ranch hands who were despised by the local gentry. Men whose skin glistened with sweat, whose clothes gave off the stench of the fields; those who lacked the most basic manners, who used language unfit for your children’s ears; minimum wage earners who were unlikely to be admitted to any respectable establishment of the time-on this night they were favored by heaven.”- David Jeremiah

C. God loves us and calls us anyway. Luke 2:9-15

Luke 2:9–15 NASB95

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

III. Jesus was Born to Die for Us vs. 17-18

A. The babe the shepherds visited grew to die as the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins the world. John 1:29

John 1:29 NASB95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Isaiah 53:7 NASB95

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

B. Worship and Serve Him. Luke 2:15-20

Luke 2:15–20 NASB95

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.