The Promise of a Shepherd: Matthew 2:1-23

Have you ever felt like you were walking through life all alone?  Troubles come, trials happen, events out of your control seem to consume your every thought.  Did you know that God sent a Good Shepherd to help you through this life?  Today, we are talking about the scripture passage of Matthew 2:1-23.  In this passage, the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world, has just taken place (in Matthew 1:1-25).

The wise men come to Bethlehem searching for the newborn baby that is prophesied to become King.  They ask, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2a).  They were looking for the promise of God that a King had been born to save Israel from their sins.  Another person heard about the birth of a baby prophesied to become King of Israel.  King Herod of Judea called upon the chief priests and scribes to find out information about where the baby was to be born.  He was afraid and planned to kill this newborn baby before He could reign over Israel.

In one case, the wise men were searching for the fulfillment of a promise of God: the birth of a King (Jesus). On the other hand, the current reigning king became afraid because of the promise God made through prophecy. He FEARED losing his kingdom to a newborn baby.  Everyone involved actually showed faith in the promise of God.  One took the promise positively and searched out the baby, while the other took it negatively and searched for a way to stop it from being fulfilled.

The same battle between good and evil exists today.  God wants you to know, believe, and apply His promises to your life, while the enemy of your souls wants to find a way to stop God from fulfilling the promises to you.

So, what is the promise in this passage?

The promise is to give a Good Shepherd to Israel.

Matthew 2:2-6

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler,

Who will shepherd my people Israel.

The promise of God was for Israel to be given a Shepherd.  Why a Shepherd?

The word for Shepherd used in Matthew 2:6 is "poimano", which means to feed, to tend a flock, or to keep sheep.  It also means to rule, govern, or furnish pasture for food, to nourish, to cherish one's body, or to supply the required things that a soul needs.

Israel (and now the body of Christ) was being promised a Shepherd: someone to feed them, nourish them, provide a place to be fed (and supply food) and to supply all the needs that a soul may have.

What needs might we have today?  Food, money, a job, healing, a place to live, joy, peace, spiritual guidance, contentment?  This passage of scripture is making the promise that God has already provided through Jesus everything we will need.  He is the One that will supply all our needs, both physically and spiritually.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Every day brings new challenges...new needs to be met.  Where will you turn to have to those needs met?  Do you turn to yourself, a family member, a friend, a spouse, or a child?  How often are you disappointed when that person is unable to meet your physical, emotional or spiritual need?

God made a promise to give us a Good Shepherd who is ABLE to meet ALL our needs, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  He came to nourish us, help us and feed us with goodness in our lives.  Are you relying on Him today? 

PROMISE PRAYERS:

Father God, I thank you for the goodness in my life today.  You have provided me with the promise and fulfillment of a Good Shepherd (Jesus) who is able meet every one of my needs today.  I make a commitment to trust you more God in meeting those needs, without turning to others to fulfill needs that only You can supply.  Please help me to worry less and have more faith in Your true and trustworthy promises.  I believe that You sent your Son Jesus to be my Shepherd and supply all my needs according Your riches and glory in Him.  You are fully capable of meeting ALL my needs today.  Lord, I ask you for peace in waiting for Your provision to manifest in my life.  I thank You LORD for your goodness and that I do not have to want for anything when I trust in You.  I love you Lord.  Thank you.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Your sister in Christ,

Sarah