The Shepherds
The Shepherds
Luke 2
Introduction: Much can be said about all of the people involved in the Christmas story. You have Mary, Joseph, the angels, three wise men, etc. Not too much is said about the shepherds, but they played a very valuable role in this event.
- The shepherds were important because they were faithful to their task (vs.8)
- Most of the time, when people are in the wrong place at the wrong time, something usually happens to confirm this! (Missed blessings) Example: King David – II Samuel 11:1
- Shepherds role – to watch the sheep
- Later in Scripture – interesting parallel that Jesus is referred to as the good shepherd.
- The shepherds were faithful in bringing the good news to others about Jesus (vs. 16-18)
- How faithful are we to tell others about Christ and to share the blessings of God with others.
- I Corinthians 12:26
- Notice the order of events
i. The Shepherds heard the Good News
ii. They got the location of the blessed event
iii. They encouraged each other to find the Savior
iv. They ran to the village of Bethlehem
v. They did not stop until they found Jesus
- So we see that the shepherds found it of great importance to go to the Savior first. They did not strike out into the surrounding towns and villages to tell others what the angels had told them. No, they went to Jesus first.
- The shepherds faithfully praised God and told others (vs. 17-19)
- “Heard” and “Seen” #. Faithfulness to praise God
- Ps 150:6 – Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
- Paul and Silas – Acts 16:25
- Now that the shepherds have met Jesus, they find that they cannot contain themselves. Who did they tell about Jesus? Why, they told everyone! They have met the Messiah, the Savior of the lost!
- They did not stop at the angels message to them about the Savior, they went to the source.
- Our lesson here is never to tell lesser news, when there is greater news to bear to others.