The Good Shepherd is Here! 

By Shelley Galang

Honolulu, Hawaii USA

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

When Jesus was born, God definitely had some good news to share. The angel in Luke 2  describes Jesus’ birth as “good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The long-awaited Messiah and Lord had finally come to earth! But who did God tell first? Verse 8  describes them as “shepherds living out in the fields nearby.” So, why would God choose to  tell nearby shepherds about His good news? Why have them visit Jesus? Perhaps God was  pointing to the fact that Jesus was also a shepherd! 

We find out later in Jesus’ story that He is not only a shepherd sent to the “lost sheep of Israel”  (Matt 15:24), but that He is “the good shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John  10:11). He goes on to say that He is different from the hired hand, who “cares nothing for the  sheep” (John 10:13). Instead, Jesus can “give [the sheep] eternal life” (John 10:28). I pray that  during this holiday season we will take time to meditate on this description of Jesus and what it  means to each of us. 

Lastly, I like that the shepherds in Luke 2 went out and “spread the word concerning what had  been told them about [the] child” (v17) and that they were “glorifying and praising God for all  the things they had heard and seen” (v20). What great responses to encountering Jesus—I  want to be like them! 

Questions for Reflection:

1. How has Jesus been a good shepherd to you? 

2. How will you listen to the good shepherd’s voice and follow Him today?

3. How will you spread the good news about the good shepherd this holiday season?

Fun Fact: Jesus’ birth story is not the first time that shepherds are mentioned in the Bible.  Abraham (Genesis 13), Moses (Exodus 3:1), and King David (1 Samuel 17) were all shepherds.  God also refers to Himself as a shepherd in many scriptures (Genesis 49:24, Psalm 23:1, and  Ezekiel 34:12, just to name a few). What a group!