Lessons form the shepherds about Jesus

Lessons from the shepherds about Jesus.

Luke 2:8-20 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart, 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them..

Shepherds - is someone who pastures or tends a flock of sheep or goats. These animals were important in Palestine. Biblical shepherds may be literal or metaphorical: those in charge of sheep or those divinely in charge of men. A shepherds duties: to find grass and water in a dry land; protect his flock from weather and from fiercer animals; retrieve any strayed animals. A shepherd should be strong, devoted and selfless.

1 The Revelation made to the Shepherds; Vs. 8-12 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

God regularly used shepherds throughout Biblical history. 1st shepherd mentioned in scripture named Abel who was also humanity’s 1st murder victim; Abraham, lot, Issac and Jacob; Mosses who God gave the 10 commandments to Israel through; David Israels 2nd king, the youngest son of Jesse. God did not choose the other 7 older sons of Jesse, but the ruddy , dingy shepherd boy who was tending the sheep.

The Revelation gave them Inclusion: Vs 10,11 “which shall be to all people” :For unto you is born”

The Revelation gave them Information: Vs 11,12 details about the birth was made known to them.

The Revelation gave them Inspiration: Vs 15 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

2 The Reaction of the Shepherds; Vs. 15 b Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

It was Fitting- their reaction was suitable for the revelation

It was Fast - They did not procrastinate they said let us now go and made haste.

It was Faithful - It was faithful in the sense that they pursued till they found what was revealed to them. Found implies a discovery made after a search was made. (It was faithful because they found Him, and it was faithful because they shared what they seen) .

( While shepherds kept their watching over silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens there shown a Holy light.

2 The shepherds feared and trembled when lo above the earth Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Saviors birth.

3 Down in a lonely manger The humble Christ was born, And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas Morn. “Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born”)

3 The Return of the Shepherds; 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them..