Israel had a deep, rich heritage of shepherding throughout their history, from Abel to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. Job had some 14,000 sheep. When Jacob led his family into Egypt at Joseph’s encouragement, the entire family were shepherds, caring for flocks. The profession was respected among the Israelites and served as a source of wealth. Even if the families experienced disdain from others – like the Egyptians, who detested shepherds – the Jews had a rich, treasured nomadic, shepherding history. But then, things changed a bit.

By the time of David, shepherding had been relegated to the youngest of the family. Of course, the youngest was generally regarded also as the weakest, especially for a young boy like David, with seven older brothers – many of whom served in Saul’s army and went off to fight the Philistines. At the same time, David stayed back and tended the flock—the lowliest of positions. We can only imagine his older brothers as David was anointed the second king of Israel, killed the Philistine champion, Goliath, with nothing but a slingshot, and became perhaps the greatest warrior in history – certainly in the history of Israel.

Yet, David never forgot his roots as a shepherd. He used the leadership, care, protection, and guidance lessons he had learned as a shepherd and the incredibly tight bond between a shepherd and his flock. David referred to this bond often in his psalms, particularly in what has become the favorite psalm of so many.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
– Psalm 23

Yet, by the time of Jesus’s birth, some 1000 years later, shepherding had dropped significantly further down the ladder of respect as a profession. Yet, it was these men to whom God chose to reveal the birth of the Messiah—to these outcasts and downtrodden.

Of course, only God knows why He does what He chooses to do, but there are four prospective reasons.

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As King David knew, being a shepherd is challenging and difficult. The shepherd must protect his flock from dangerous predators. As he volunteered to confront Goliath, David described this to King Saul:

“But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. 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. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.” – 1 Samuel 17:34-36

Sheep required a great deal of care and guidance. Shepherds were often required to walk many miles to ensure their flock was guided to pastures and water. Sheep tend to wander off by themselves and get lost – causing a shepherd to search, often far and wide, for his one lost sheep. Of course, this brings to mind Jesus parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-6:

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”

Like sheep, we become overconfident and prideful – or distracted by the shiny new objects we see. We see greener grass and move towards it, failing to see how far we have moved away from the flock. And, like sheep, our only chance of survival is with the flock, under the care of a “good shepherd” who makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside still water (Psalm 23:2) Like a lion who is prowling around seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) the Evil One is waiting to find a lamb who has wandered too far from the flock. Too far from our good shepherd – Jesus.

These elements together demonstrate the closeness of the bond between a shepherd and his sheep. He was their constant companion, caring for them as a flock and individually. The sheep would learn to trust the shepherd – listen to his voice and follow his lead. David knew this – and carried all of these elements into his role as king of Israel.

This relationship is reflected in Jesus’ constant care for us, his protection, leadership, and guidance, and his willingness to lay down his life for his flock—we, the sheep of his pasture.

Jesus is the Shepherd who meets all our longings (Psalm 23) and the Great Shepherd who calls His sheep to follow Him.

“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.” – John 10:27

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Look who His disciples were. He didn’t choose the religious leaders – the Pharisees, Sadducees, or the scribes.  He chose ordinary, hard-working stiffs who worked for a living. Look at who Jesus said was blessed in the Beatitudes. Not the rich and influential. Instead, the poor in spirit, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful.

Jesus held his most harsh criticism for the self-righteous religious leaders of the day. Such religious leaders were put to shame in God’s eyes when He chose shepherds. Remember what Paul told us in his letter to the church at Corinth:

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27

The religious leaders might appear good, even great, to themselves and in the eyes of men, but God sees through all of us. It is interesting to note that when the Pharisees confronted the man born blind who Jesus had healed (John 9), they ultimately threw him out for suggesting that Jesus was from God – yelling at him, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” (v. 34) The healed man – steeped in sin at birth – but they were not.

Jesus Himself told us that He had come not to the self-righteous but rather to those who know they are sinners and need God.

“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” – Luke 5:32 NLT

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Alfred Edersheim was a Biblical scholar, born in Vienna to Jewish parents of wealth, and lived between 1825 and 1889. Edersheim believed that God had another, greater purpose in announcing Christ’s coming to shepherds first. Edersheim says the role of a shepherd foretells the role of Christ: “These men who watched the sheep meant for the slaughter received a divine message about the ultimate Lamb who would take away the sins of the world through His death and resurrection.”

Jesus is indeed the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world through his death on the cross and the shedding of His blood. While the shepherds rejoiced at seeing Jesus at birth, God saw the ultimate purpose of Christ coming to earth – to give his life as a ransom for his flock:

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

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They were neither rich nor even well off. They were peasants – forever relegated to the fields. The clothes on their backs were probably everything they owned. And the society treated them that way. Shepherds had become the outcasts of society – looked down upon by others. They were counted among those who must have sinned to be relegated to such a role and were scorned by all – especially by the day’s Pharisees and other religious leaders.

God does not reserve His love for just a few – He loves all. And Jesus taught that we are to do the same:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48

When Jesus gave His life on the cross, it was not simply for those who “deserved it.” His love was not reserved for a select few—but for every one of us who recognizes our need for his great love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness of our sins.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

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Part 1: 5 Wondrous Insights from the Biblical Symbolism of Shepherds
Part 2: How King David’s Life Reveals the Role of a Shepherd
Part 3: 4 Reasons God Chose Lowly Shepherds to Announce Jesus’ Birth

Every day, we trust the sun to rise; we never doubt its appearance because it has always been faithful. In the same way, we anchor our confidence in eternal life in God’s faithfulness and the consistency of His promises. Just as we rely on the sunrise, we can trust that God will fulfill His word regarding eternal life.

Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah foretold, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and His name shall be called Mighty God…” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus’ miraculous birth, born of a virgin (Luke 1:27), and the fulfillment of countless prophecies are miracles that only God could accomplish. With this same divine authority, Jesus declared forgiveness of sins and promised eternal life—a promise validated by His resurrection, as steadfast and certain as the rising sun.

Jesus’ humble arrival in a manger was the only One who could ensure salvation and life everlasting as 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

The Savior’s life and teachings reveal God’s Kingdom, providing ample instruction in faith.

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The authority upholds, and the law guarantees a legally binding contract—whether for a job, a home, or a commitment. Similarly, God, the ultimate Lawgiver, “seals” His unbreakable word: “When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal” (Ephesians 1:13-14), the guarantee of inheritance in eternal life. God’s word, unlike earthly contracts, is more enduring because they’re backed by His unchanging nature.

Jesus revealed the way to eternity, declaring, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). His sinless life exemplified His teachings as a model of righteousness and eternal values. His words, like a covenant, indestructibly rooted in God’s authority, are impossible to void. Unlike human agreements, God’s word is absolute and faithful: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind…Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).

Through Jesus, we can place our faith in a covenant as unbreakable as the most binding contract—yet far more enduring, secured by God Himself. Jesus secured this covenant by accomplishing redemption for our sins on the cross.

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When a close friend promises to help in a challenging time, we believe them based on trust built through shared history and proven loyalty. We don’t question if they will show up because they have shown that they are dependable. In the same way, God demonstrated His faithfulness in sending Jesus, and we can trust His promise of eternal life as surely as we would trust a friend who has never let us down.

Martin Luther echoed this trust, saying, “When I look at myself, I don’t see how I can be saved. When I look at Christ, I don’t see how I can be lost.”

In 1993, Mary Johnson exemplified this kind of grace when her son, Laramiun Byrd, was killed in a gang-related incident. Over time, she reached out to his killer, Oshea Israel, meeting him in prison and forgiving him. Their bond grew into an unlikely friendship, and they even became neighbors, publicly sharing their stories to promote forgiveness and reconciliation. Like Mary’s extraordinary act of forgiveness, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross shows God’s grace—a love that overcomes unimaginable hurt and offers reconciliation.

Through His birth, teachings, and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus proved He speaks the truth as a loving friend and Savior, exchanging our sin for His righteousness. A. W. Tozer says, “The only sin Jesus ever had was ours. And the only righteousness we can ever has is His.”

The blood of Jesus “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7-9). His resurrection provides the final assurance that Jesus met sin’s penalty and was accepted by God the Father as an atonement.

Jesus’ resurrection captured sin’s death penalty and replaced it with eternal life.

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The resurrection proves that Jesus has power over sin and death, validating His identity as the Son of God and affirming every promise He made. It’s the ultimate assurance that believers, too, will share in victory over death and receive the gift of eternal life. By rising from the dead, Jesus confirmed His role as Savior and Lord, providing us with a secure foundation for our trust in God.

Peter declares in Acts 2:24, “God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.”

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Resurrection is the cornerstone and certainty of our own resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 states, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Just as basic mathematical truths—like 2 + 2 always equaling 4—are unchanging, so is the reliability of God’s word and assurance of victory over death. Mathematical principles remain constant, and likewise, so do God’s promises.

Author Lee Strobel captures this assurance: “Jesus Christ did not come into this world to make bad people good; he came into this world to make dead people live.” Believing in Jesus, “that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16), we live by faith— the very basis of eternal life.

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Most of us experience the unwavering love of a parent or close family member. Likewise, God’s love and our security in Him are even more assured. Just as a parent’s love for a child endures, God’s love is even deeper and unending.

The apostle John, known as Jesus’ “beloved disciple,” writes of this confidence in 1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” John’s message of assurance is powerful; he walked with Jesus, witnessed His crucifixion, and saw His resurrected body. His words remind believers that faith in Jesus is eternal, forever.

Salvation is God’s gift of grace—not earned but received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith isn’t “hoping so” or wishful thinking—it’s a confident trust rooted in Jesus! Faith fully trusts God’s promises, not because we cross our fingers or “hope for the best,” but because He has proven Himself faithful time and again. This is the faith that gives justification from sin and peace with God (Romans 5:1). It is certain, like relying on the sunrise or the unchanging nature of God’s Word, rather than the fleeting assurances the world offers. The great preacher Charles Spurgeon helps us understand: “Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God’s grace.”

Fully assured of what God promises through faith in Jesus, we can live out that faith, shining out the truth of eternal life.

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Vance Havner once says, “Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts: the gift of God to man—His unspeakable gift of His Son—and the gift of man to God when we present our bodies as a living sacrifice.” Romans 12:1-2 describes these living sacrifices as those who resist conforming to the world, choosing instead to live in a holiness that pleases God.

Prioritizing time in God’s presence through prayer and His Word deepens holiness and shapes us to be more like Jesus. As 1 John 2:5 says, ‘If anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them.’ With confidence in the unshakable promise of eternal life, Christmas becomes a sacred invitation to share with others the true message of the season—a message of redemption, hope, and eternal assurance in Christ that the world so desperately needs.

Finally, as certain as the sunrise, as unbreakable as a trusted promise, as enduring as a parent’s love, and as unchanging as mathematical laws, God’s declarations stand firm. The birth, life, teachings, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus all confirm His promise of eternal life. Yes, you can be certain of heaven! Let’s read this verse again: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

John R. Rice once says, “You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look up into the Father’s face and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift.” This Christmas, let’s rest secure in God’s promises, embracing the greatest gift of all—eternal life, offered and firmly assured through Jesus Christ.

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