Shepherds

The Bible speaks of spiritual shepherds – pastors - that care for the church of God, leading and guiding His people by anointed preaching and teaching of His Word. (Acts 2:38).

"Feed the flock of God which is among you…and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." - 1 Peter 5:2-4 KJV

"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!

The shepherds were amongst their flock, watching over them in the night.

"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." - Luke 2:8-11 KJV

"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 2:12-14 KJV

The Creator of the universe had humbled Himself to dwell among His creation. (Philippians 2:6-11).

His body, His tabernacle among men, would be a place of sacrifice upon which He had placed His Name, and where His Spirit dwelt. He would bring peace between Himself and humanity – reconciliation – by His great sacrifice. (Colossians 1:14-23)

"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 were witnesses of Jesus’ birth. They were witnesses of the skies filling with the heavenly host praising God for the great joy that He would bring as our Savior. The shepherds did not delay. They made known abroad the message that they heard and witnessed for themselves.

"And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." - Luke 2:18-19 KJV

Those that heard the shepherds wondered. God’s grace is amazing.

"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