Advent of Love

We started our advent Journey with the second advent and the return of Christ, which, we all are now waiting with great anticipation. We asked the question how are we expectantly waiting for Christ’s return.

Next, we went to the beginning of Jesus ministry. We have John the Baptist coming out of the wilderness crying out for the people to repent for one is coming whose sandal I am not even worthy to untie.

Last week we brought into focus the announcement to Mary of Jesus arrival on earth. The announcement was one of miraculous mystery to Mary. She humbly and graciously accepted the path that the Lord had chosen her to follow. The big idea last week was for us to guard against falling into the worlds decoy of what Joy is and instead to embrace the Lord’s greatest joy. The decoy presents a world that seeks joy and fulfillment in so many things that will never bring you true joy like the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God in flesh dwelling among men.

Today we will bring the narrative full focus as we explore Advent’s Love.

In comparison to the complex narrative and characters in chapter 1 of Luke’s gospel, the actual birth narrative in chapter 2 is brief. It it Luke stresses three things.

The Political Situation

The fact that Bethlehem was the town of David (to stress the Davidic claim).

The Humble circumstances of Jesus Birth.

Luke 2:1–10 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 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.

The mention of Caesar Augustus may not only be for historical background but also to contrast the human with the divine decrees. Focusing on a mere Galilean peasant traveling to Bethlehem on the decree of a Roman Emperor.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Caesar Augustus was one of the most important emperors in the history of the Roman Empire, perhaps the most powerful human being before the day that Jesus was born. Originally called Octavian, he had emerged as the chief ruler of Rome, and became the first man to be declared emperor of all the Roman Empire. He reigned from 30 BC to 14 AD.

He initiated and began all kinds of building programs and set up a massive system of centralized government, regulating commerce and trade. he strengthened the military and for the entire reign Rome was at peace. With his leadership was born the famous period known as the Pax Romana, the peace of Rome.

He did much to advance the culture of the Roman empire. Towards the end of his life he said, ‘I found Rome bricks and I made it marble.’ He went down in history as possibly the greatest statesmen of his time.

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“The time came for her to give birth.”

A Walk with God: Luke (6. The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1–7))

One of the most fascinating theological studies of our day has been the careful biblical examination of the concept of time.

The New Testament uses the word pleroma, to refer to the coming of Jesus. It is a single Greek word, but it is usually translated by the phrase ‘fullness of time’. That fullness may be illustrated by a glass of water.

If you fill a glass of water to the brim it is full, but that is not pleroma. When the fullness of pleroma takes place, the water flows over the edges. The world was absolutely ripe for the coming of Christ.

The sad note in the fullness of time into which God chose to come in flesh is that it was during this time that emperor worship took form.

During the reign of Augustus he took on the title Dominus et Deus: Lord and God. It was the title and allegiance to it that would produce grave crises in early church history, bringing Christians into severe trials and tribulations, because they refused to worship the emperor.

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During this time Augustus needed to conduct a census so that he could introduce a widespread taxation program on the people. To make it easier to implement people were required to go back to the place of their birth, in order to register for the taxation.

One of those who had to do this was a carpenter from Nazareth by the name of Joseph. He did not want to leave his espoused bride to face ridicule and shame by those who were hostile towards her, so he took her on a dangerous and arduous journey, perhaps risking premature birth of her child, in order to fulfil his obligations to the state.

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Big Idea: How does knowing God’s love change the way to go?

In our text today of the angels visit to the shepherds in the fields in between Jerusalem and Bethlehem you will see how no one who truly experiences the love of God leaves the same way they came.

My prayer for you this morning is that you do not just hear about the love of God, but that you truly experience His love and go different than you came.

1. The way we go is shown in the Lowly Birth

All of the events leading up to Christ’s birth are not by accident but by God’s divine plan.

Dan Ortland “Gentle and Lowly”

Who is Jesus? Do you know his heart for you? Chances are, you have not given that much thought recently. Contemporary Christian literature offers much reflection on what Christ, has done, and what our practical response should be.

Unfortunately, little reflection is offered on who Jesus is at his heart; on who he is for us. Ortland focuses on Matthew 11:28-29 speaking of how the very nature and character of Jesus Christ for us is to be gentle and lowly in heart.

In our efforts to experience the love of Christ in a harsh, loveless world, for those who have felt like a disappointment in God’s eyes, no matter how much they do.

JESUS LOWLY BIRTH

*Born an Outcast

Bethlehem was the city of David which had been prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Therefore, all of the events of Augustus setting up the census, setting himself up as the God emperor in his thirst for power and control. All of this is by God’s design and plan.

1 Samuel 17:12 ESV

12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years.

Micah 5:1–2 ESV

1 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. 2 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.

First, Bethlehem was a small village in Judah; it surely did not measure up to Jerusalem a mere six miles to the north, in population or glory. Jerusalem was bigger and had the status as a capital city, and was home to the temple. (the place the the Shikinah Glory of God rested)

Second, It had been prophesied that Jesus would endure a life of rejection by His own people. Herod tried to kill Him while He was still an infant. The chief priests and scribes knew He would be born in Bethlehem, for they told the wise men so when the wise men came to Jerusalem looking for Him. But the chief priests and scribes did not go worship Him - they had no need for Him.

The rejection of Jesus by the chief priests and scribes continued throughout His ministry. The people of Nazareth rejected Him on three different occasions. Many of his disciples left Him, after He fed the 5000 men with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, but refused to be their earthly king. During the last week of His earthly life, Judas Iscariot one of his chosen disciples betrayed Him; Peter, by denying Him; the other disciples, by fleeing when He was arrested; the Jews as a whole, by passing judgment that He was worthy of death; and the whole world rejected Him, when Pilate sentenced Him to die on a cross.

WHY DID PEOPLE REJECT JESUS?

- They didn’t want Jesus Christ.

Jesus knows what its like to be rejected.

Why the world rejects Jesus today.

1) We reject Him because He represents the condemnation for every sinner.

If it were not for our sins He would not have had to be born and He would not have had to die.

The whole ministry of Jesus Christ painfully points to the depravity of mankind and our need for a Savior. Jesus warned sinners of God’s coming judgment, and died on the cross to save sinners from that judgement. But our nature rejects condemnation of sin; and so we hate the one who condemns us.

The rejection of Jesus is not only a sign of what others did during His lifetime, it is a sign that every man - has rejected him by the very nature of who we are as sinful people.

2) We reject Him because we want to be king.

Perhaps we wilfully and obstinately reject Him because He claims to be king, but we want to be king; because He takes away our glory and honor and replaces it with His glory and honor exposing the true state of our sinfulness.

3) We reject Him because we have no room for Him in the story of our lives.

Perhaps none of these fit your narrative.

Perhaps we are like the chief priests in our rejection, then we are like the innkeepers. They had not hate for Jesus; they merely had not room for Him. They were too busy, and preoccupied with their business, to show mercy to a woman about to be delivered of a child. They were too busy serving Roman soldiers and earthly kings to take time for the heavenly king.

The pleasures and cares of this life cause us in essence to say that we have not room for Jesus in our Christmas narrative.

There is not room in God’s kingdom for the guilty unrepentant sinner. The rejection of Jesus in His life and birth was necessary for our Salvation - for apart from it we would be rejected today.

Jesus willingly accepts and takes all of the shame and rejection we deserve to the cross with Him. He dies in our place and experiences the full weight of God’s rejection and wrath towards us. We are reminded of this rejection in Isaiah 53:3

Isaiah 53:3 ESV

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Even today the outcast is still rejected by many; and only by grace do we believe in Him.

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*Born in Poverty

The Place of Jesus Birth

Where Jesus was actually born and how he was found in a cattle stall bears further investigation.

Tradition says that there was not room for them in the inn’ for Mary and Joseph. However ‘inn’ is not the usual meaning of the Greek word, and recent discussion suggests that Luke is saying that it is more likely that there was not available ‘guest room’ in a private home. Jesus would have been born in the large open living area of a peasant home that opened into a lower space where cattle were brought in at night. There would have been a feeding trough (manger) at the edge of the living room floor.

With the very nature of hospitality in the village community it is inconceivable that Mary and her baby would have been left outside the house to give birth. Most likely a feeding trough had been brought up into the family living space (of the house) as a crib for the baby. The understanding of the text is also consistent with the shepherds response to seeing the baby, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Because of the cultures hospitality they would have been welcomed into the house. If mother and baby were in a stable, those shepherds would not have responded as positively.

The simplicity of the poverty of Jesus birth stands in contrast to the expectations normally associated with those who are born to greatness. Human values of power and prestige and self-interest are overturned. God has now shown that He is committed to using his vast rich resources to serve the interests of others, not himself.

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The aspect of an impoverished life would follow Jesus. The poverty of Jesus birth was an indication of what His life would be like here on earth. Jesus was never rich by the worlds standards. God saw to it that His earthly needs were always supplied; He was given food and drink clothing and shelter. But God supplied Him with these gifts daily, not in abundance. Jesus told His disciples, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has no where to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58)

Jesus response in Luke 9:58 was in response to a man who comes up and proclaims to Jesus that he would follow him wherever he goes.

We are the disciples to whom Jesus speaks to today. We claim to follow Jesus. In following Jesus, we have gathered today to pay Him honor and celebrate His birth. Do you think it is a great thing to be Jesus disciples? Do you think that we will share in His riches.

We must remember that His riches are not earthly they are eternal. We must be ready to lay aside earthly riches to truly call ourselves His disciples.

JESUS LAID ASIDE HIS KINGLY THRONE

We are reminded that Jesus gave up the greatest riches the world has ever known to lay aside His kingly throne.

This does not mean as some have tried to say that he gave up His Godhead, authority, and rulership. For a time he veiled His Godhead for a time by coming into flesh.

He appeared in flesh, like any other human; he bore our weakness, felt our pains, experienced our disappointments and shame, nailing it to a cross.

All of this He willingly did because of His great Love for you. One of the most profound scriptures in all of the bible is Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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*Born to Save

First, He was born in Bethlehem because it was the city of David. This child born to Mary is the son of David, who would come to establish the throne of David forever! He is the Messiah, the prophet, priest, and King of the universe, who was promised by God to take away the sins of the world.

Second, He was the first born. We know for certain that he was Mary’s first born child. This means the first child she ever had. This highlights for us again the miracle of the manner that Christ was born to a virgin, God in flesh.

The firstborn in Hebrew culture had the birthright of blessing and the right to twice as much inheritance. Now we tie this with the fact that He is the firstborn of all creation as we read about in Colossians 1:15

Colossians 1:15 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Now we have the deeper picture of the inheritance that He now bestows on his children. His inheritance is in heaven - the whole kingdom of God. Now, because He is not only God’s firstborn, he is also the only begotten son of God, this inheritance is entirely His! Now the Salvation He brings is by giving us a share in the inheritance of God.

HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS BECOMES OURS - HIS HOLINESS BECOMES OURS - HIS GLORIFICATION BECOMES OURS

We are now co-heirs with Christ Jesus Romans 8:17

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

THE PERISHABLE BECOME IMPERISHABLE

1 Peter 1:4 ESV

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

Third, He was born to Rule We have the picture of those who came to bow before king Jesus at the manger. This is why He must be born in such a lowly state. God has reserved no riches for us, no renewal of our hearts, no place of service in His Kingdom, except in the way of paying the price for our sins. And we could not pay that price! So He sent His son, in fulfillment of the promise to now rule and reign in our hearts and lives.

Note: By His spirit and word He rules in our hearts, causing us to hate sin and love obedience. In order that He might rule, he first had to make room in our hearts and lives. He entered in at the moment of our regeneration, and took control of our hearts, and renewed us. By nature we have not room in our heart for Jesus; but He makes room for Himself in the hearts of His people.

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SHEPHERDS

2. The way we go comes to the unworthy

What more appropriate group than the shepherds would there have been to be the first witnesses to the birth of this special baby who was of the house and lineage of David. Notice that Luke is the only one to give the account of the shepherds.

At that time shepherds were treated as outcast of society. Most of them were poor and were treated with disdain. Nevertheless shepherds were very important to life in Israel. Through the centuries they played a significant role in symbolizing God’s relationship with his people. The presence of shepherds evokes the image of kingship.

Note: We see in the poverty and humble estate of the shepherds the way that God used the lowly, rather than the powerful to fulfill his purposes.

We also read in John 10 Jesus referring to himself as the good shepherd who knows his sheep and his sheep know his voice and follow Him when He calls them.

GODS LOVE AFFAIR WITH SHEPHERDS

It is fascinating that the announcement of such a significant birth of the Messiah to the world, he did not inform the rich and powerful leaders of the day? Instead he chose to announce it to shepherds who were tending their flocks nearby. In all probability the sheep they were in charge of attending were those that were to be used in the temple sacrifices.

Consider the prominent role in biblical history that shepherds played. When God appeared in the burning bush to call a leader to bring forth the Exodus, he chose a man living in exile in the Midianite desert who was tending sheep - his name was Moses. When Israel became a nation, there came a time when a shepherd boy, David, was anointed king. Even if we go to the age of the prophets we find Amos, not a man of great stature, but a shepherd, whom God called into service for himself.

Many prominent people in biblical history were called by God from the realm of the culturally insignificant, to be his servants. It was to such people that God sent the angel to announce the birth of the Messiah.

*The Glory of the Lord Shown around them

The glory of the Lord was understood to signify outwardly, often with brilliant light, God’s inner power and perfection. Glory often indicated God’s presence with his people.

The light of God’s glory stands apposed to the darkness of the night. Zachariah’s words concerning light shining on those who sin in darkness. The urging of the angels is for the shepherds not to fear the angel announced three things.

(1) “He had good news of Great joy for all people.”

Good news was the technical term usually associated with the announcement of the birth of a son to the emperor. The word in the Old Testament speaks of God’s good news as he commanded his armies, bringing victory for his people. The good news is that Jesus is coming to do battle with the forces of evil in this world and kick Satan in the teeth as he wins the victory over sin and death.

(2) The reason for the good news, a Savior is born.

(The angels are not told the babies name but his royal lineage)

Savior in the Old Testament generally refers to God’s deliverer, who would rescue his people in their time of need. Isaiah 25:9

Isaiah 25:9 ESV

9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Savior is not linked to Messiah in the Old Testament.

“Jesus comes to seek and to save the Lost.”

Luke has consistently stated that Mary’s son was a royal descent, being of David’s house and born in David’s town. The baby was born to be king, a king who would save or rescue his people and bring peace. We see overtones of Isaiah 9:1-7

Isaiah 9:1–7 ESV

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 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. 7 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.

The Darkness in the Silverton Mines in Colorado

They took us deep into the mine and at one point turned the light out. The the darkness felt heavy, suffocating, despairing. Throughout human history we have sought new and different ways to light up the darkness. However, in reality the Bible tells us that the Bible tells us that in our natural state, we prefer darkness instead of the light. We prefer the darkness of our sin.

He came to shine a light on our sin and bring life to dead spaces of our lives. People who once walked in darkness have now seen a great light.

The work of the shepherds ties them in the shepherd role of the Messiah. Their poverty and humble state again points to the way God used the lowly, rather than the powerful to fulfill his purposes. The very fact that they were outcasts symbolizes God’s delivering work in rescuing and restoring the spiritually outcast.

Notice How personal the Angels message was: “today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.”

When does Jesus become our Savior?

The writer is not taking here about just a knowledge of Jesus as Savior. When the angels brought this message they were proclaiming that know Jesus is to know our salvation. To know our Salvation is to experience the salvation that he brings Salvation.

In the History of Israel they had lost all hope and all understanding of what Salvation really meant. The notion that the kind of redemption they needed and that God was sending was God in flesh. The angels are now giving the shepherds the knowledge of what Jesus has come to do. Many people today have a knowledge of Salvation however, this is not mere mental perception. Which is when we know of something that we do not have.

He is speaking of a knowledge of actually possession, something that is real because we have experienced His Salvation personally. From a mere mental perception, to an actual possession, which then becomes real in our lives.

Do you have the Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ?

(3) The angel authenticated his words with a sign

Notice the specific nature of the information given to the shepherds.

the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes

What are swaddling clothes? The word is old fashioned enough that many modern Bibles now translate it with “cloths” or strips of cloth. Some have claimed that swaddling clothes were intended for wrapping newborn lambs or dead bodies. But it turns out that the Greek word used for “swaddling” here in Luke was not an unusual word at all, and it did not refer to wrapping lambs or dead bodies.

The Greek expression of this word is used dozens of times in association with the birth of babies. Possibly the family that allowed Mary and Joseph to stay with them may have helped provide the clothes and even the trough. The word was so common that some people might say “in swaddling clothes” to mean “still a small baby.”

Lying in a manger

You will find him laying in a feed trough. Notice that the angel was very specific all the way down to the furniture in which he will will be laying. They were not to begin by looking in the courts of kings and queens, or wealthy homes. They needed to start looking in the barns of Bethlehem among the animals, the smell of fresh animal dung, that is where their Savior would be found.

you will find him in the city of David

The specific place of his birth is identified as the city of David, or Bethlehem.

3. God’s we go moves us to Humble Worship.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

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

Remember right after Mary’s visit with Elizabeth, where God’s plan for her was affirmed you have Mary’s song of praise: The Magnificat. Mary’s response to God’s love come down to earth is Heartfelt Worship.

As the shepherds left the newborn baby, the text tells us that they returned full of joy, glorifying and praising God for all that has happened - the amazing, dazzling announcement of the angels and the confirmation of the words when they actually saw and experienced their Salvation.

Once we have experienced His Salvation we will never leave the way we came.

Notice: that in verse 18 we are told that “all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things in her heart.”

Without a doubt, they are in awe of the implications of the message however they do not go any further. We never hear from them again, and we do not know how many became followers. Many in our culture like the idea of Jesus Christ as our Savior but, few are ever truly changed.

Excitement and Wonder are not Enough

I wonder if at times the super Hyped up attraction Church model today is guilty of building up excitement and wonder but fail to move people to genuine followers of Christ.

We do not hear from the towns people again but, we do hear the response of the shepherds as they leave the manger scene. To many Churches in our day opt for the spectacular and try to entertain the people more than touch their lives. This is a huge mistake.

Mary was the first to understand the true implications of the Miracle Birth

You have the confirmation she received from her cousin Elizabeth and then the worship that proceeded this encounter.

The Shepherds had attained a deep faith and realization regarding what they had seen.

They returned to their flocks true believers and followers and continued their virtually evangelistic work, “glorifying and praising God for all the tings they had heard and seen.”

These things that they had Heard and Seen

Every single thing that the angels had told them came true, and you can almost see their eyes bright and big with excitement as they told people all this for a long time to come. There are two terms we find here, “glory,” and “praise,” have been central concepts throughout these two chapters.

The shepherds response should be our response for the glory of the coming Christ child overwhelms and compels us.

For many people Christmas is their favorite time of the year, but the glory of Christ himself is the true highlight of the Christmas season, much more than the lights and tinsel and other bright, loud elements of Christmas.

We must combine the awe of verse 18 with the praise of verse 20. Mary and the Shepherds show us a true and proper reaction to the Christ event.

When you leave a time of experiencing the redemption of the world come in flesh do you respond with a heartfelt awe and worship that compels you to leave glorifying and praising God for all you have seen and heard?

CLOSING

There Is Singing Up In Heaven

Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922) There is singing up in Heaven such as we have never known, Where the angels sing the praises of the Lamb upon the throne; Their sweet harps are ever tuneful, and their voices always clear. O that we might be more like them while we serve the Master here!

Chorus: Holy, holy, is what the angels sing, And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring;

But when I sing redemption’s story, they will fold their wings, For angels never felt the joys that our salvation brings.1 But I hear another anthem, blending voices clear and strong, “Unto Him Who hath redeemed us and hath bought us,” is the song; We have come through tribulation to this land so fair and bright, In the fountain freely flowing He hath made our garments white.

Then the angels stand and listen, for they cannot join the song Like the sound of many waters, by that happy, blood-washed throng; For they sing about great trials, battles fought and vict’ries won, And they praise their great Redeemer, who hath said to them, “Well done!”

So, although I’m not an angel, yet I know that over there I will join a blessèd chorus that the angels cannot share; I will sing about my Savior, who upon dark Calvary Freely pardoned my transgressions, died to set a sinner free.