When Jesus came he changed everything...even the calendar...B.C. to A.D.
Luke 2: 1-4 (ESV) "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinus was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,"
Christ was born into a dark time. Spiritually the Jews had not heard from God in 400 years. Politically, Israel was under Roman occupation. The ruler was Agustus Caesar who was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was deified. Agustus was often called the "son of a god". Agustus means exalted one. They built temples honoring him and some called him a living god and referred to him as "the present deity" and "savior of mankind". He was a false Christ. He had power and exploited the people, was cruel.
In contrast the Baby Jesus came into the world in a quiet manner. He wasn't exalted. He was born in a lowly manger in a small town. He wasn't the son of a god, but he was the Son of the God!
Isaiah 7:14 (ESV) "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."
Christ's Kingdom only grows, it is never taken away. It never ends, his peace is eternal. He was born to lowly Galileans. In a stable without fanfare.
I. God uses even evil people to accomplish his plan.
Because of Caesar Agustus' census each had to go to his "home" town to be counted and taxed. This was an act of great disrespect and oppression of the Jews. In Acts 5:37 Luke discusses an insurrection because of one of these census'. The people hated them because they were being taxed. This census fulfilled God's promise 700 years earlier.
Micah 5:2 (ESV) "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days."
Did Mary and Joseph realize what was happening? It was a long trek to Bethlehem and the timing of Jesus birth.
Hosea 11:1 (ESV) "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son."
Later Herod sought information about the Messiah and sent soldiers to kill the baby boys in Bethlehem, but Mary and Joseph were warned and fled to Egypt. Out of this evil empire the Christian church began and spread like wildfire.
Luke 2:4-7 (ESV) "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
II. God uses the humble and lowly to accomplish his plan.
It was important that he came from the line of David. Mary and Joseph were ridiculed, young oppressed, poor (we know this from vs 24 where they had doves or pigeons for sacrifice instead of a lamb). They had an amazing job to do. They were humble people.
Jesus modeled humility. He washed the feet of the disciples, he humbled himself even unto death.
Philippians 2:8 (ESV) "And being found in human form, he humbled himself to the point of death, even death on a cross."
God worked through other humble people...David, Gideon.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV) "For consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'"
God uses humble people.
James 4:10 (ESV) "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Luke 2:8-10 (ESV) "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'"
What a scene it must have been! The shepherds were terrified. Can you imagine? The heavenly hosts appeared to them and the glory of God shown around them...was it a light, a cloud of fire? Why shepherds: They weren't praised in society, they were humble. David began as a shepherd boy, Moses was a shepherd before leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
1 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) "Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
John 1:29 (ESV) "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
III. Jesus' Birth is Good News for All People
Luke 2:11-14 (ESV) "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"
IV. Jesus' Birth is Good News for those with whom God is pleased
It is Good News for all people...who God is pleased with.
Galatians 3: 25-29 (ESV) "But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."
Father Abraham-Gen. 12 describes his descendants as a great nation. All the families of the earth are descendants, they are as numerous as the stars. Jesus is the shepherd of them all.
John 10:16 (ESV) "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."
We are being built into a spiritual house, a temple, a kingdom and there is 1 king, and it is for those whom God is pleased...How do you please God?
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Only by faith in Jesus Christ.
Simeon and Anna, the prophetess worshipped and fasted at the Temple. They recognized who he was. But many did not accept him and submit to him. Don't let that be you. Do not harden your heart. Worship Jesus this Christmas season.
Closing Scripture:
Luke 2:27-38 (ESV) "And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 'Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people in Israel.' And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many hearts may be revealed.' And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem."
No comments:
Post a Comment