In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. (Luke 2:8, LSB)
This week, it seems like the pace of the Christmas Season just got faster! Makes me think I might want to be one of those shepherds in Bethlehem hanging out in the fields with their sheep. (Except, it probably would be cold and uncomfortable. And I really don’t do cold!) But it sure seems like it would be a peaceful, quiet setting, without much going on and not much to do. Right?
Well, as it turns out, taking care of sheep might not be exactly what I imagined. I got to thinking about another Bethlehem shepherd boy…David. Didn’t he say that he had learned a thing or two about how to defend himself and fight well while taking care of his sheep? In fact, he said he had actually fought a BEAR and a LION. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t consider close encounters with bears and lions to be peaceful situations! In David’s own words, he said, “When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it, and killed it.” (I Samuel 17:34-35, NIV)
Did he say he had “seized it by its hair”? Okay, that’s way too close for me! That peaceful pastoral setting is not looking so peaceful anymore.
Then there are all those other stories in the Old Testament about invading militants swooping in and running off with the sheep. I guess a shepherd didn’t just have to be on the lookout for wild animals that may kill and harm the sheep, but also against invading armies or thieves.
My idea of a shepherd is changing. I guess a shepherd had to be pretty vigilant at all times, ready for battle and willing to risk his own life for the sheep. Add to that that he had to know his flock well and keep track of them all, not push them too hard, make sure they had good sources of food and water, take care of the weak or injured sheep, and provide shelter. The job of shepherd seems pretty demanding now, doesn’t it?
Isn’t it fantastic, then, that God sent His special angel envoy to announce the Messiah’s birth to faithful shepherds in Bethlehem? Because, just as Isaiah the prophet foretold, this baby coming into the world, Emmanuel, God with us, would Shepherd us.
Isaiah 40:9-11, NIV
You who bring good news to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
We desperately need a Good Shepherd. Someone who will search for us when we have gone astray. Someone who will bandage us up and carry us when we are wounded and hurt by life in this world. Someone who will stand by us and fight for us when evil presses in. Someone who will lead us to safe pasture and good food, even though we may like junk food better. Someone who will guide us along the path of life.
If your heart is heavy today over the plight of a loved one who is hurting or has gone astray, or over your own cares and problems, take it to the Good Shepherd. Our Good Shepherd is strong and faithful. He is caring and wise. He loves us and calls us by name. And he gave His very life to save us.
John 10:10-11, 14, 27-29, NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
May we find true peace this Christmas Season in the care of our Good Shepherd, Jesus.
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Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.
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