Luke 2:7-11

Peace to you my brothers and sisters.

Today’s Bible Verse: [Luke 2:7-11 KJV] 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

The birth of our Shepherd was announced to shepherds.

Jesus uses the vocation of sheepherding as reference for what He does for us and how He treats us. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18). He sees the masses as sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). He likens salvation to being a lost sheep carried home (Luke 15:3-7). Isaiah likens His sacrifice as a sheep led to the slaughter, and to us as straying sheep (Isaiah 53:6-7).

What does a shepherd do?

A shepherd is a watchman over his flock to ensure that flock is safe from enemies and dangers.

The shepherd is a guard that protects his flock from the enemies and dangers.

The shepherd is a guide that leads his flock to green pastures and safe places to drink. Sheep need a guide, someone to safely lead them from place to place.

The shepherd is a physician to his flock that gives care to the ailing sheep in his flock.

The shepherd is a savior to his flock; seeking out the lost and saving them themselves.

Jesus is all of these to His flock; He watches over, guards, guides, and heals His elect.

He also seeks the lost; that is, those that are elect but have not yet had a revelation of God. He provides the catalyst for their awakening into a new birth of salvation; there is nothing that we can do to merit this, it is by His grace alone.

We all have a job.

[Matthew 28:18-20 KJV] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

All of the disciples of Jesus are to spread His word and the gospel.

This is the gospel:

[1 Corinthians 15:1-6 KJV] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

[Acts 2:22-24 KJV] 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Go forth and spread this good news.

I pray that God has revealed Himself to you and that you have salvation.

Remember, God is sovereign. That means that he controls everything.

I hope this has been a blessing to you. May the rest of your day be blessed. Peace.