THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST – THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS – LUKE 2:1-21 Our Heavenly Father, Creator of all things and Master Teacher, we humbly come into Your presence to seek Your Holy Spirit to open our eyes to these Holy Scriptures. We earnestly pray for enlightenment as we study together, and we ask You, Father, to open our eyes to see the truths contained in these words. Open our minds to comprehend that which we are reading, and open our hearts to receive the message that You have for us. Finally, dear Father, we ask for the strength and courage to live our lives in a manner of the called, constantly giving You the glory, honor, and praise that You deserve. We claim these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Luke 2:1 (a) And it came to pass… One of my favorite phrases in all of Scriptures is this one. Whatever you may be facing presently will pass. Luke 2:1 (b) …in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus… Known as Gaius Octavius, he was a seemingly successful and powerful ruler. After all, the Gates of Janus—opened only in time of war—had been closed for years due to the Pax Romana—a forced peace brought about after the Roman army bludgeoned her enemies into bloody submission. In light of his position in the known world, Octavius decided he needed a new title—something more elevated than even king or dictator—a name that implied divinity, a name like Caesar Augustus—Caesar the August One. Luke 2:1 (c) …that all the world should be taxed. Caesar, “the August One,” decreed that everyone return to their homeland to be taxed, little realizing he was simply fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2, which declared that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Where else would the Son of David be born but in Bethlehem, the city of David? Where else would the Bread of Life be born but in Bethlehem, the House of Bread? Yes, Caesar made the proclamation, but God ordained the plan. Luke 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) On the basis of this parenthetical note, history validates the time and place of Jesus’ birth. Luke 2:3–8 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. These sheep outside of Bethlehem were most likely the sheep owned by the priests and used for sacrifices in the temple ministry. Because the shepherds who kept watch over them would not have been able to enter into the temple to receive cleansing, they would have been considered unclean. But who are the first to hear of Jesus’ birth? The unclean ones, the outcasts, us. Luke 2:9, 10 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. The angel brought good tidings of great joy not only for Israel, not only for evangelicals, not only for Republicans, but for all people collectively, for each one individually. Luke 2:11, 12 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. Swaddling clothes were strips of cloth similar to those used in the embalming process. In other words, swaddling clothes were essentially grave clothes. This was fitting because Jesus came to die. Although death interrupted the ministry and teaching of Socrates, Plato, Buddha, and every philosopher and thinker throughout history, it did not interrupt the ministry of Jesus Christ. Rather, death fulfilled Jesus’ ministry because Jesus alone came to die. Luke 2:13, 14 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. Linguistically, the meaning of this first Christmas carol is, “Peace on earth towards men of good will,” toward men who are in God’s will. “This is the will of God,” Jesus said, “that you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent” (see John 6:29). If you believe on Him whom the Father hath sent, you will indeed be one who, regardless of what’s happening around you externally, will experience a peace in your heart internally. Don’t let anyone take that peace from you by implying that you should be doing more or trying harder. Instead, say, “Thank You, Lord, for the Good News of great joy that unto me is born a Savior. I embrace this, and I thank You for the peace I experience not because of what I’ve done, but because of what You did in coming to earth to die for me.” I never tire of talking about the simplicity of the gospel because I have discovered that it is constantly being challenged. Perhaps even subconsciously, we find ourselves saying, “It can’t be that simple. Surely I am supposed to do something, to earn something, to prove something.” But such is not the case. “It is finished,” Jesus declared on the Cross (John 19:30). Therefore, all that remains for us to do is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength in response to the goodness, grace, and lovingkindness He pours out upon us. Luke 2:15–20 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. Once you see Emmanuel, God with Us, wrapped in swaddling clothes as the One who came to die for you, you can’t help but do what the shepherds did. You can’t help but spread the word. Have a blessed day!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 13:31:56 +0000
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