A Reflection on the Spiritually Intelligent Shepherds

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:8-20 (NLT)

Shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night had a supernatural encounter. An angel visited them and gave them spiritual intel about Jesus’s birth location and a sign to identify Jesus. The shepherds ran with the intel they received, found Jesus, praised God, and told people about Jesus. The shepherds were one of the first people to share the good news of Jesus.

Those with the heart of a shepherd keep watches, stay spiritually sensitive to protect the flock God has given them. As we watch, we receive vital intelligence for advancing God’s kingdom in the earth.

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Habakkuk 2:1-2 (KJV)

As we watch, we will have spiritual encounters and receive signs that reveal Jesus to those around us. When we watch, we prepare for His coming.

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24:42 (KJV)

When we watch, we grow spiritually.

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:40-41 (NKJV)