20.Dec.2009 Jesus: Shepherd & King

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Luke 2:8-20 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,”Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

The shepherds in the natural came to worship a shpeherd in the spirit. Shepherds are caretakers for their sheep. They watch over tham, and protect them from all harm. When a sheep runs off, the shepherd follows it and brings it back to the herd. Sheep need the shepherd. Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd. When we wander astray, He follows us, making suer that we don’t get into too much trouble. He protects us, making sure the the wolves who come to destroy us do not have their way. With Him on our side, nothing can hurt us.

Matthew 2:1-12 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “’But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

When the kings came to see Jesus, they brought gifts fit for a king. They asked Herod where the new king was. The kings proceeded to follow the star until they did find Jesus. The newborn baby was a king, and He still is today. He is the most powerful knig that ever lived. Revelation 19:16 says that on His robe is the name “King of all kings and Lord of all Lords.” Kings know where they are going, and they rule with authority. As subjects, we are not to question or argue what the king decrees.

Jesus Christ is a shepherd and a king. When He is your shepherd, you are His sheep. You are well taken care of. He restores your soul. He protects you from everything that could ever come against you. He knows what you need, and He delivers it. When He is your king, you are His subject. You must bow to Him. You must carry out what He decrees in your life. Love your neighbors as yourself. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not cheat. Consequences will come when you disobey the king. Are you ready to make Him your king? Are you ready for the responsibility of becoming a subject instead of just a sheep?