LUKE 2:11 | BORN THIS DAY

The character arch usually begins with some person that can’t relate to normal man because they have never experienced what it means to be a man… but as the movie goes on, they are able to learn what it’s like for a man so they can identify with them.

But Hollywood with all of it’s movies and actors could never write a script as perfect as God wrote in His word!

EXPLANATION: Jesus didn’t come as a man in his prime… No, Christ was born!

And this, often overlooked truth, is one of the greatest blessings and gifts that has been given to us.

Yes, the good news of Christ’s birth gives hope and it gives comfort.

Because Christ does understand you and what you are going through.

Galatians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

He was not exempt from the difficulties of life that you are going through.

He understands!

HE UNDERSTANDS YOUR HUMBLE LIFE

EXPLANATION: Christ could have been born in a palace, but instead He was born in a stable and laid in a humble manger.

Philippians 2:7 KJV 1900

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

He could have been the child of royalty, but instead He was born into poverty.

When Jesus was taken to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord, Joseph and Mary brought a customary sacrifice

Luke 2:24 KJV 1900

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

The command to do this was found back in Leviticus 12:6-8

Leviticus 12:6–8 KJV 1900

6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: 7 Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. 8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

The customary offering that was to be made was that of a lamb… if the person couldn’t afford a lamb, they could offer two doves or pigeons instead

Joseph and Mary didn’t have the means for which to pay for a lamb.

The humility wasn’t only because of their lack of money, but it was also because of their unusual circumstances.

Jesus was born to a woman who wasn’t married when she found she was expecting.

Matthew 1:18 KJV 1900

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

In todays world it has been far more normalized, but at that time of history, it was terrifying predicament.

The punishment for a young lady who became pregnant before she was married was found in Deuteronomy 22:20-21

Deuteronomy 22:20–21 KJV 1900

20 But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: 21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

Can you imagine what this must have been like to be Joseph?

Mary comes to you and lets you know that she is expecting… that was an awkward conversation.

This was the woman he loved.

This was the woman he was betrothed to marry

This was the woman with whom he planned to have a family with.

And now he discovered that she had been unfaithful!

He asks, “With who?”

“I’m gonna kill him!”

And Mary responds, “I haven’t been with anyone, God just put this baby in my belly.”

Now we’ve heard this story hundreds of times so we are quick to accept this… but can you imagine Joseph?

His response was understandable in Matthew 1:19

Matthew 1:19 KJV 1900

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Joseph new the letter of the law, and if he wanted to in his anger he could have her killed.

At this time however, many who discovered such unfaithfulness would choose rather to divorce the unfaithful person and make a public example of their unfaithfulness.

Joseph was in a difficult position here.

Should he end the life of the woman he had loved or should he just ruin her life because of the decisions she had made.

Thankfully God stepped in in Matthew 1:20-21

Matthew 1:20–21 KJV 1900

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Following this revelation from God, Joseph is now willing to accept Mary’s explanation… but what about the rest of the family?

We never hear how Mary and Joseph’s families handled the news… in fact, we don’t find them in the Scriptures.

Could it be that the grandparents of Jesus never had anything to do with His life?

Could it be that Mary and Joseph and Jesus were rejected by their very family?

What about the friends that Mary and Joseph had?

What about the kids Jesus went to school with?

The label he would have been given as a child not born of His earthly Father.

Yes, Jesus knew what it was to come from a humble life.

APPLICATION: I wonder how many in this room were born in a palace?

The reality is most of us were born into far better circumstances than Jesus was.

I doubt that most of you were born in a stable.

ILLUSTRATION: When we were expecting our kids, I made clear to Tressa I had no interest in delivering a baby myself.

I made sure that we made it to the hospital with plenty of time to spare.

APPLICATION: Maybe you came from less than ideal circumstances in your life.

You know what it means to grow up in a broken home.

Some know what it is to face abuse to rejection from the people that were supposed to love you.

For some, this time of the year is not something you look forward to because it’s a time when there are reminders of hurt and pain that you have gone through.

The humility of difficult life situations and circumstances.

Can I encourage you this morning… Jesus understands.

He was born as a man and faced the humility of a life of true poverty and less than ideal circumstances.

Later in His life, Jesus would give testimony of the mass amount of wealth He had accumulated when he said in Matthew 8:20

Matthew 8:20 KJV 1900

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Friend, no matter your financial strain

Your family issues

Your humble situations

Jesus Understands Humble Life!

HE UNDERSTANDS YOUR STRUGGLES

ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever gone through something and you’ve felt like, nobody knows!

I am the only one.

Now we know that isn’t true in our mind… but our heart feels that way!

EXPLANATION: Jesus knows what you are going through.

Hebrews 4:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus knows about your struggles that you face.

HE WAS BORN INTO A CORRUPT POLITICAL CLIMATE

Herod the Great was a corrupt politician.

He had 10 wives and 15 children.

He was so paranoid about losing his power that he had two of his sons killed.

So when Jesus was born, you’ll remember his response to the wisemen who had come to him

Matthew 2:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

When the wisemen found Christ and didn’t return back to Herod, he became so overcome with fury and paranoia that he committed one of the worst acts of murder in history Matthew 2:16

Matthew 2:16 KJV 1900

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

No, we aren’t living in the first time in history that wicked leaders attempted to kill babies.

Jesus was born into that scene Himself!

HE ENDURED HEARTBREAK

When Jesus heard of his friend and cousin, John the Baptist’s death, the Bible tells us in Matthew 14:12-13

Matthew 14:12–13 KJV 1900

12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

Jesus just wanted to get away… He was undoubtedly sorrowful over the death of his friend.

The Bible only mentions that Jesus cried 3 different times, once in Luke 19 over the condition of the city, In Hebrews 5 it gives a glimpse of Him weeping in the garden the night before His death, and the third time is probably most familiar and took place in John 11.

It was when His friend Lazarus had died.

It was at that event that the most popular verse to memorize took place… John 11:35

John 11:35 KJV 1900

35 Jesus wept.

Jesus knew what it meant to lose someone He loved.

He knew what it meant to be broken and to see those he loved hurt as well.

HE FACED PERSECUTION

Jesus was absolutely perfect.

He never once sinned and He never once deserved the criticism and accusations that were leveled against Him

But they came anyway.

He was lied about by the religious crowd, the Scribes and Pharisees

He was criticized by his own family.

In Mark 3:20-21

Mark 3:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

The word friends there is the Greek word Para, that means “Family”

Jesus is teaching parables to the multitude and His family, James, Joses, Juda, Simon and maybe His own mother Mary, was standing outside the door claiming that He had lost His mind.

They didn’t support him!

He had 12 friends that He specifically chose to do life with for 3 1/2 years.

But when He came to the most difficult days of His life… the days when His life was literally on the line, One betrayed Him, one denied Him, all forsook Him, and eventually one doubted Him!

Jesus knew what it was to be falsely accused by those in power, to be rejected by those who He was closest to.

HE ENDURED THE WAGES OF SIN

Jesus never once sinned.

He was tempted in all points like you and I are, yet without sin.

Never once did He fall to the temptation of Pride, Bitterness, Envy, Anger, or Lust

But Jesus knew better than anyone that has ever lived just how painful sin is.

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV 1900

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The One Who knew no sin, at that moment on the cross, took upon Himself every sin you have ever committed.

Every lie you have ever told

Every grievance you have ever held

All the bitterness that your heart has kept

All the anger that is balled up inside you.

Every ounce, at that moment on the cross, He took it!

He felt all of your hurt

He felt all of your guilt

He felt all of your pain

He felt all of your remorse

He felt it all at that moment on the cross!

Isaiah 53:3 KJV 1900

3 He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not.

He endured the wage of your sin when He died on that cross for you and for me!

APPLICATION: Friend, everything you have been through or will go through, He understands!

There is no struggle that He does not fully comprehend!

There is no place that you can go to that He isn’t already there, because He’s been there!

And because He has been there, He knows how to help you through it!

Isaiah 43:2 KJV 1900

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 45:2 KJV 1900

2 I will go before thee, And make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, And cut in sunder the bars of iron:

What a sad thing it is, when the One Who went through everything for you offers to walk with you through it, and our response is “No thanks God… I’ve got this.”

But that’s exactly what we are saying when we turn to anger, bitterness, and pride instead of turning to Christ!

He is reminding you this morning, He was born this day… He lived on this earth so He could tell you He understands!

CONCLUSION

Don’t waste the sacrifice and suffering of Christ on this earth!

He came from humble beginnings, He faced the earthly sufferings, and He overcame them!

He overcame them so that you don’t have to do it on your own!

1 John 4:4 KJV 1900

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Friend, you can choose to continue to do things your way… and remain in the struggle.

Or you can chose to turn to the good news that Jesus was “Born this Day”

And He understands, and He can walk with you through whatever shadow of life you may be passing through!

This Christmas season as you see the baby in the manger… Don’t forget, He was born and He understands all that you are going through.