Shepherds

What does the word shepherd mean? It means, “to feed a flock; to pasture, to tend.” (Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon). “A herdsman.” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)

The Bible says,

"[A Psalm of David.] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1 KJV

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." - Psalm 100:3 KJV

In the Old Testament, God called the rulers and teachers of Israel shepherds. (Jeremiah 23:2-4)

In the New Testament, the LORD speaks through His chosen vessels, spiritual shepherds, which are pastors and teachers, leading and guiding His people by anointed preaching and teaching of His Word. (John 21:15-17)

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28

When the LORD was born as a baby in Bethlehem, angels announced His birth.

How fitting that shepherds were the first to hear the announcement!

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, and on earth peace, good will toward men." - Luke 2:8-14 KJV

The shepherds were witnesses of Jesus’ birth – Christ the Lord our Savior, born in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. They were witnesses of the angel of the Lord announcing peace between God and man, the skies filling with the heavenly host praising God for the great joy that He would bring as our Savior! The LORD would pay the price for our sins (shedding His blood) so that we could have this peace on earth. (Colossians 1:20)

"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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." - Luke 2:15-17 KJV

The shepherds then did what spiritual shepherds do today – they told everyone everywhere about Jesus!

"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." - Luke 2:18 KJV

Those that heard the shepherds “marveled.” God’s grace is amazing.

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." - Luke 2:19 KJV

But Mary kept these things in her memory, revolving these things in her mind. She was "to put one thing with another in considering circumstances". (Vine's Expository Dictionary). Mary must have been in awe as she recalled these things that the shepherds told her as she watched Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection, and outpouring of His Spirit on Pentecost unfold.

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." - Luke 2:20 KJV