Shepherds

Shepherds

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

"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 

Just as the Lord is our shepherd, God speaks through spiritual shepherds – pastors and teachers - directing them to lead and guide his people. 

Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep”. (John 21:16)

Paul spoke to the elders of the church at Ephesus: -

"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 

Spiritual shepherds feed us by preaching and teaching the Word of God.

When God appeared to humanity as a baby in Bethlehem, angels announced His birth.

How fitting that God would make the first announcement of His appearing to shepherds!

"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." - Luke 2:8-9 

"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 2:10-11 

"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." - Luke 2:15 

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." - Luke 2:16 

The shepherds were witnesses of the birth of Jesus. God would pay the price for our sins so that we could find salvation and peace with Him.

"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child." - Luke 2:17 

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