The Shepherds

What Child is This?  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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The shepherds share their story of the birth of Jesus.

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In​ ​1865,​ ​an​ ​Englishman​ ​named​ ​William​ ​Chatterton​ ​Dix​ ​penned​ ​the​ ​words​ ​to​ ​a​ ​poem​ ​entitled​ ​"The  Manger​ ​Throne."​ ​​ ​A​ ​few​ ​years​ ​later​ ​the​ ​first​ ​three​ ​stanzas​ ​of​ ​that​ ​poem​ ​were​ ​set​ ​to​ ​the​ ​music​ ​of​ ​an  English​ ​traditional​ ​folk​ ​song​ ​called​ ​"Greensleeves"​ ​that​ ​soon​ ​became​ ​known​ ​as​ ​the​ ​beloved  Christmas​ ​carol​ ​"What​ ​Child​ ​Is​ ​This?"​ ​​ ​This​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​poetry​ ​and​ ​music​ ​first​ ​was​ ​published​ ​in  the​ ​United​ ​Kingdom​ ​in​ ​1871​ ​as​ ​a​ ​new​ ​song​ ​when​ ​it​ ​debuted​ ​in​ ​a​ ​prestigious​ ​compilation​ ​of​ ​Christmas  music​ ​called​ ​Christmas​ ​Carols​ ​Old​ ​and​ ​New.​ ​​ ​For​ ​close​ ​to​ ​a​ ​century​ ​and​ ​a​ ​half​ ​the​ ​question​ ​found​ ​in  the​ ​title​ ​of​ ​this​ ​carol​ ​has​ ​become​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​reminder​ ​that​ ​something​ ​significant​ ​happened​ ​on​ ​that  night​ ​in​ ​Bethlehem​ ​as​ ​someone​ ​significant​ ​lay​ ​wrapped​ ​in​ ​swaddling​ ​clothes​ ​in​ ​a​ ​manger.​ ​​ ​This​ ​child  would​ ​change​ ​the​ ​world​ ​forever;​ ​but​ ​what​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?    The​ ​title​ ​of​ ​the​ ​carol,​ ​"What​ ​Child​ ​Is​ ​This?",​ ​is​ ​intended​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​primary​ ​question​ ​the​ ​shepherds  must​ ​have​ ​asked​ ​on​ ​the​ ​night​ ​they​ ​visited​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​Jesus.​ ​​ ​​ ​After​ ​their​ ​angelic​ ​encounter​ ​and  receiving​ ​the​ ​startling​ ​news​ ​while​ ​they​ ​tended​ ​their​ ​sheep​ ​on​ ​the​ ​outskirts​ ​of​ ​Bethlehem,​ ​their​ ​heads  must​ ​have​ ​been​ ​spinning​ ​rapidly.​ ​​ ​They​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​comprehend​ ​all​ ​they​ ​experienced​ ​on​ ​that​ ​first  Christmas​ ​night.​ ​​ ​Luke's​ ​Gospel​ ​records​ ​the​ ​scene​ ​in​ ​chapter​ ​2:8-21.

The Shepherds

 
Luke 2:8 ESV
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 ESV
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
Luke 2:10 ESV
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:11 ESV
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
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Luke 2:12 ESV
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:13 ESV
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luke 2:14 ESV
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:15 ESV
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
luke2.1
Luke 2:16 ESV
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
Luke 2:17 ESV
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18 ESV
And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
Luke 2:19 ESV
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
luke2.1
Luke 2:20 ESV
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:21 ESV
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

What Child is This?

While​ ​no​ ​nativity​ ​scene​ ​is​ ​complete​ ​without​ ​the​ ​shepherds'​ ​presence,​ ​subsequently,​ ​the​ ​answer​ ​to  this​ ​Christmas​ ​Carol's​ ​question​ ​also​ ​would​ ​be​ ​only​ ​partial​ ​without​ ​the​ ​description​ ​of​ ​"shepherd."  What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?​ ​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​a​ ​shepherd;​ ​in​ ​fact,​ ​Jesus​ ​later​ ​described​ ​Himself​ ​as​ ​the​ ​good​ ​shepherd​ ​and  told​ ​what​ ​a​ ​good​ ​shepherd​ ​does​ ​and​ ​who​ ​a​ ​good​ ​shepherd​ ​is​ ​in​ ​John's​ ​Gospel,​ ​chapter​ ​10. 
John 10:11 ESV
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​summary​ ​statement​ ​of​ ​what​ ​this​ ​child​ ​in​ ​the​ ​manger​ ​came​ ​to​ ​be​ ​for​ ​all​ ​people.​ ​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one  who​ ​came​ ​to​ ​lay​ ​His​ ​life​ ​down​ ​for​ ​all​ ​of​ ​humanity​ ​just​ ​as​ ​a​ ​good​ ​shepherd​ ​lays​ ​down​ ​his​ ​life​ ​for​ ​the  sheep.​ ​​ ​While​ ​at​ ​times​ ​the​ ​shepherds​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Christmas​ ​story​ ​have​ ​been​ ​labeled​ ​as​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​who​ ​were  a​ ​bit​ ​rough​ ​around​ ​the​ ​edges​ ​and​ ​living​ ​on​ ​the​ ​lowest​ ​rung​ ​of​ ​society's​ ​ladder,​ ​Jesus​ ​describes  Himself​ ​as​ ​being​ ​a​ ​shepherd​ ​who​ ​has​ ​great​ ​responsibility.​ ​​ ​There​ ​is​ ​no​ ​greater​ ​responsibility​ ​than  holding​ ​the​ ​life​ ​of​ ​another​ ​in​ ​the​ ​control​ ​of​ ​one's​ ​own​ ​hands.​ ​​ ​Protecting​ ​the​ ​life​ ​of​ ​others​ ​was​ ​the  responsibility​ ​and​ ​calling​ ​of​ ​the​ ​shepherd. 
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The​ ​imagery​ ​of​ ​the​ ​shepherd​ ​is​ ​prominent​ ​in​ ​Ancient​ ​Near​ ​Eastern​ ​history.​ ​​ ​Shepherds​ ​were​ ​equated  with​ ​righteous​ ​government​ ​and​ ​often​ ​appear​ ​in​ ​contexts​ ​where​ ​the​ ​subject​ ​of​ ​justice​ ​is​ ​prominent.  Shepherds​ ​were​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​who​ ​showed​ ​kindness​ ​in​ ​counseling,​ ​protecting,​ ​and​ ​guiding  those​ ​whom​ ​they​ ​were​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​through​ ​every​ ​difficulty.​ ​​ ​The​ ​shepherd​ ​often​ ​times​ ​was  intended​ ​to​ ​signify​ ​rulership​ ​as​ ​good,​ ​just,​ ​wise​ ​and​ ​beneficial​ ​for​ ​the​ ​people​ ​and​ ​particularly​ ​has  been​ ​associated​ ​as​ ​a​ ​metaphor​ ​of​ ​kings​ ​and​ ​deity.​ ​​ ​Even​ ​the​ ​shepherd's​ ​crook​ ​has​ ​been​ ​viewed  throughout​ ​the​ ​ages​ ​as​ ​a​ ​symbol​ ​of​ ​power,​ ​authority,​ ​and​ ​strength. 

What Child is This? He is the Good Shepherd

Shepherd

David as shepherd

The​ ​child​ ​that​ ​would​ ​be​ ​born​ ​in​ ​the​ ​manger​ ​in​ ​Bethlehem​ ​would​ ​be​ ​near​ ​the​ ​pastures​ ​that​ ​David  grazed​ ​his​ ​father's​ ​sheep​ ​centuries​ ​beforehand.​ ​​ ​The​ ​Savior​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​the​ ​good​ ​shepherd,​ ​would  be​ ​born​ ​in​ ​the​ ​City​ ​of​ ​David​ ​and​ ​a​ ​direct​ ​descendent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​King​ ​who​ ​also​ ​was​ ​a​ ​good​ ​shepherd​ ​in  bygone​ ​days.   

What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?​ ​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​a​ ​shepherd​ ​and​ ​king​ ​just​ ​as​ ​his​ ​ancestor​ ​David.  

Ezekiel 34:10 ESV
Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

Prophecy of the Good Shepherd

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Prophecy of the Good Shepherd

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Prophecy of the Good Shepherd

Prophecy of the Good Shepherd

What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?​ ​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​left​ ​all​ ​the​ ​riches​ ​and​ ​comfort​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​to​ ​look​ ​for​ ​the​ ​ones  who​ ​went​ ​astray.​

What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?​ ​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​left​ ​all​ ​the​ ​riches​ ​and​ ​comfort​ ​of​ ​heaven​ ​to​ ​look​ ​for​ ​the​ ​ones  who​ ​went​ ​astray.​ ​​ ​All​ ​we​ ​like​ ​sheep​ ​have​ ​gone​ ​astray;​ ​we​ ​have​ ​turned—every​ ​one​ ​of​ ​us—to​ ​our​ ​own  way.​ ​​ ​The​ ​mission​ ​of​ ​the​ ​shepherd​ ​is​ ​to​ ​look​ ​for​ ​and​ ​rescue​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​who​ ​are​ ​lost.​ ​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​what​ ​a​ ​good  shepherd​ ​naturally​ ​does.​ ​​ ​This​ ​is​ ​who​ ​this​ ​child​ ​in​ ​the​ ​manger​ ​would​ ​grow​ ​to​ ​become.​ ​​ ​He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one  who​ ​came​ ​to​ ​seek​ ​and​ ​to​ ​save​ ​those​ ​who​ ​were​ ​lost,​ ​alone,​ ​exposed,​ ​and​ ​astray.​ ​​ ​Isaiah​ ​the​ ​prophet  speaks​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Lord​ ​who​ ​would​ ​come​ ​in​ ​vivid​ ​imagery​ ​of​ ​a​ ​good​ ​shepherd. 

Reception of the Good Shepherd

Reception of the Good Shepherd

Reception of the Good Shepherd

What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?   He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​came​ ​to​ ​lay​ ​down​ ​His​ ​life. 

What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?   He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​came​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​and​ ​protect​ ​His​ ​flock.

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What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?  He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​blessed​ ​beyond​ ​measure​ ​with​ ​ones​ ​He​ ​would​ ​call​ ​His​ ​own​ ​and​ ​who​ ​would​ ​come​ ​to​ ​know  His​ ​voice.

What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?  He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​is​ ​the​ ​good​ ​shepherd.

His​ ​name​ ​is​ ​Jesus,​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​wrapped​ ​in​ ​swaddling​ ​cloths​ ​and​ ​lying​ ​in​ ​the​ ​manger,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​the​ ​angel  said​ ​he​ ​would​ ​be.​ ​​ ​Now​ ​go​ ​and​ ​tell​ ​everyone​ ​what​ ​has​ ​been​ ​heard,​ ​seen​ ​and​ ​experienced​ ​concerning  who​ ​this​ ​child​ ​is,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​the​ ​shepherds​ ​did​ ​on​ ​that​ ​first​ ​Christmas​ ​in​ ​Bethlehem.​ ​​ ​What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?     He​ ​is​ ​a​ ​shepherd…the​ ​good​ ​shepherd. 
What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?   He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​came​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​for​ ​and​ ​protect​ ​His​ ​flock.   He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​blessed​ ​beyond​ ​measure​ ​with​ ​ones​ ​He​ ​would​ ​call​ ​His​ ​own​ ​and​ ​who​ ​would​ ​come​ ​to​ ​know  His​ ​voice.   He​ ​is​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​is​ ​the​ ​good​ ​shepherd.     His​ ​name​ ​is​ ​Jesus,​ ​the​ ​baby​ ​wrapped​ ​in​ ​swaddling​ ​cloths​ ​and​ ​lying​ ​in​ ​the​ ​manger,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​the​ ​angel  said​ ​he​ ​would​ ​be.​ ​​ ​Now​ ​go​ ​and​ ​tell​ ​everyone​ ​what​ ​has​ ​been​ ​heard,​ ​seen​ ​and​ ​experienced​ ​concerning  who​ ​this​ ​child​ ​is,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​the​ ​shepherds​ ​did​ ​on​ ​that​ ​first​ ​Christmas​ ​in​ ​Bethlehem.​ ​​ ​What​ ​child​ ​is​ ​this?     He​ ​is​ ​a​ ​shepherd…the​ ​good​ ​shepherd. 
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