In this sermon, we looked at the connection between Jesus and the shepherds who first heard the angels’ announcement that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. In the Old Testament, we see hints of this connection in the prophesies of the coming Messiah. These prophesies pointed to a future ruler, from Bethlehem, who would lead the people of God like a shepherd. This shepherd would be crushed and wounded so that God’s people could find peace and be healed. In John 10, Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, whom God sent to lay down His life and take it up again for the sake of His sheep. Like a Good Shepherd, Jesus promises to stand over us and protect our souls from our enemies. As His sheep, we will learn to recognize our Good Shepherd’s voice and trust Him to lead us to eternal life.
