Why Shepherds? Luke 2

Why Shepherds? Luke 2

You might wonder why shepherds would play such a part in the Christmas events. But if we take a look at shepherds in the Bible we see why the angels are sent to them and not others.

In Genesis 48:15 Jacob describes God as “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,” David’s psalms are filled with pictures of God as the shepherd. Psalm 32 gives that wonderful picture of God’s love and care as the shepherd.

Jacob is a shepherd and he married Rachel a shepherdess. The traditional manger scene has men and boys, but it’s just as likely that woman and girls were at the manger as well. The site of Rachel’s grave is in Bethlehem.

David the spiritual king of Israel by which all others are measured, was a shepherd.

Throughout the Old Testament God presents the priest and leaders of Israel as shepherds.  Zechariah 11 tells of the spiritual leadership of Israel as worthless shepherds who eat the sheep. Many of the other prophets repeat this judgement.

Yet God tells the people a good shepherd is coming who will care for the sheep.

Isa 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,  and gently lead those that are with young.

Jeremiah 10 & 11     “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;      say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

We are told in Matthew 9:36 Jesus saw the crowds coming to Him “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

John 10 is devoted to Jesus being the Good Shepherd who has been sent to care for the sheep.

In sharp contrast to the worthless shepherds who kill, abuse and eat the sheep, Jesus lay’s down His life for the sheep.

So we can understand why the angels are sent to the shepherds. God calls on them to welcome one of their own. God announces that the great shepherd, the good shepherd has been born. The words of God spoken and looked to for ages have been fulfilled, the Messiah has been born. In a city of shepherds like Rachel and David, Bethlehem, Jesus Christ is born.

Each of us are shepherds, to our children, our family or even some larger group. We have a responsibility to shepherd those God has put in our care. Can you picture yourself on that hillside with the angels to numerous to number singing out “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

God into all the world and share the good news, the Good Shepherd has been born in the city of shepherds, and the sheep who follow Him will be blessed and need not be afraid. Jesus Christ is born!

 

1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 5:2-4 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Genesis 48:15 Jacob describes God as “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,”

Isa 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,  and gently lead those that are with young.

Jeremiah 10&11     “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;      say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

Ezekiel and Micah, repeat the coming shepherd

Zechariah 11 tells of the worthless shepherds of Israel who “does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

Matthew 9:36 Jesus saw the crowds coming to Him “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

John 10: 1-15 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.