The birth of Jesus Christ Luke 2:1-20 Jesus’ birth was dated by Luke as falling in the reign of Caesar Augustus, who was officially made the ruler of the Roman Empire in 27 B.C. and ruled to A.D. 14. Because Herod the Great’s reign ended in 4 B.C. Jesus was born before that time. For the census Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral home. Joseph was a descendant of David, who was born in Bethlehem. Mary accompanied Joseph for several reasons. The couple knew she would have the Baby during the time Joseph was gone, and they most likely did not want to be separated at that event. Also both of them knew that the Child was the Messiah. They also would have known that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The Child was born during their time in Bethlehem. The fact that Jesus was called Mary’s firstborn says that later she had other children. The couple was housed in quarters which were not private. According to tradition, they were in a cave near the inn. The Child was placed... in a manger, from which livestock fed. Being wrapped in strips of cloth was important, for this was the way the shepherds would recognize the infant. An announcing angel and other angels appeared at night to a group of shepherds and heralded the birth of the Savior in the town of David, that is, Bethlehem. The shepherds may have been caring for lambs which were destined for sacrifice during the time of Passover. The appearance of the angel and of the radiant glory of the Lord... terrified them. The angels’ message was comforting. The shepherds were told not to be afraid. The message was that “a Savior,” Christ the Lord, was born. This was good news of great joy. Throughout Luke “joy” is often associated with salvation. This news was to be proclaimed to all the people. These were specifically the people of Israel, but Luke also inferred that the Savior would be for all mankind. The angel was then joined by a great company of other angels engaged in praising God in the highest. The shepherds went to see the Baby, and they told what the angels had related to them. The shepherds understood that the angels were speaking for the Lord. They believed the message and went to confirm it for themselves. This was much like the action of Mary after she had heard the message of Elizabeth. Such an attitude contrasts sharply with that of the religious leaders who knew where the Baby was to be born but did not take the time or the effort to confirm it for themselves. After seeing the Baby, the shepherds were the first messengers to proclaim the arrival of the Messiah: they spread the word. Those who heard... were amazed. The theme of amazement at the proclamation of the Messiah runs throughout the Book of Luke. Mary reflected on this momentous event in history. Of all the women of Israel she was the mother of the Messiah! The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God, much as the angels had done (vv. 13-14). BKC Pastor Wilson
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:00:00 +0000