Luke 2:1-7 - Christmas - Part 1

Introduction

Steven Cole has interesting introduction - A few years ago, newscaster Andy Rooney responded to the charge that his profession only covered the negative side of everything. He imagined a newscast in which it was reported that planes took off and landed safely. In Florida, the orange crop was hit by another night of average weather. The oranges just hung in there and grew. In Detroit, General Motors announced that 174,000 Chevrolets would not be recalled because they were all perfect. Rooney’s point was that good news isn’t always appreciated unless it’s against the backdrop of bad news. If this is true then the text I just read is the best news in the world, because the backdrop is the worst of all the bad news man was born sinful. Therefore, regardless of what man tries to achieve they can never gain a favorable verdict with the Judge of the universe. Exodus 34:7 “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

Most people do not realize what dire straits they are in regarding their standing before God and their eternal destiny. Not seeing their desperate need for salvation, they fail to appreciate the fact that this story is the best news in all of history. The best news in the world is that a Savior was born for you, who is Christ the Lord. A couple of years ago, Moody Magazine (Jan./Feb., 1996) reported that 49 percent of professing Christians agree that “all good people, whether they consider Jesus Christ to be Savior or not, will live in heaven after they die.” (ED: Compare this August, 2021 Barna report which notes that of Americans who claim to be born again "60% believe that if a person is good enough, or does enough good things, they can earn their way into Heaven.” If that opinion is true, then the story of the birth of Jesus may warm your heart and make you feel good. But it won’t be the best news in the world, news that you cannot live without. However, if the Bible is correct in stating that all people have sinned and apart from Christ they are under God’s condemnation (ED: cf Ro 3:10, Ro 3:20, Ro 3:23, Ro 6:23), then the news that the Savior has been born is hardly just nice! It is the best news in the world and it is absolutely crucial!  (The Best News in the World Luke 2:1-20)

Luke 2:1 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.”

Luke 1:5 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.”

Prophecy Fulfilled

Luke 2:1–7 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 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 Beth-lehem; (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.”

In the first 7 verses, we discover Jesus’ birthplace - Bethlehem in Judah.

On a horizontal plane what made Jesus being born in Bethlehem a reality was arguably the most powerful man in the history of the world, who crushed a rebellion and brought unparalleled unity, peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire proclaimed a taxation that required people returning to their land of nativity.

Joseph lived in Nazareth of Galilee but was born in Bethlehem of Judah.

Therefore, Joseph has no choice but to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Approximately 90 miles), even though Mary was soon to deliver.

Consider for a moment how difficult this trip must have been for Mary to make.

Every expecting parent knows the last two months of pregnancy are the hardest on women. Their backs ache, their joints hurt, as do their feet. Any task like rolling over in bed, putting on shoes, or walking can be tough to maneuver. Especially when you can’t even see your feet.

Whether she was forced to walk or rode on a donkey, the travel would have been less than ideal.

The question is why did Caesar Augustus command a tax to be paid throughout his empire that inconvenienced more than one family? This is where the vertical sphere influenced the horizontal sphere.

Micah 5:2 “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

The reason Caesar proclaimed an empire wide-tax was so that God’s word can be fulfilled. Caesar, like Cyrus have unknowingly becomes to servants of God’s purposes.

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever he will.”

In the moment, it would have been easy to ask God what was He thinking about. Did not He know that His loyal servant was approaching child-birthing? We need to be careful not to live in the moment but trusting in God’s complete plan!

1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

Colossians 3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

John 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

Philippians 4:6–7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We should live in the moment but not for the moment.

Precedent

If God failed to fulfill this prophecy - a prophecy that was not necessary for the overarching ministry of saving souls - then other more pertinent prophecies regarding the essential aspects of Jesus earthly ministry would be jeopardized. If God could not or did not desire to fulfill a lesser important prophecy then how could He fulfill a greater, more important and impossible prophecy?

Luke 1:32–33 “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

He shall be great

CHS - “No one has influenced history more than Jesus Christ. ‘Is it not proven that he is great? Conquerors are great, and he is the greatest of them. Deliverers are great, and he is the greatest of them. Liberators are great, and he is the greatest of them. Saviours are great, and he is the greatest of them.’”

Jesus is great:

Jesus is great in the perfection of His nature.

Jesus is great in the grandeur of His offices.

Jesus is great in the splendor of his achievements.

Jesus is great in the numbers of those He rescues.

Jesus is great in the estimation of His people.

He shall be called the Son of the Highest

Jesus was more than Mary’s first born son, He is the Son of God!

The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David

He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever

There shall be no end to His Kingdom.

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Jesus saves

Freedom's calling, chains are falling Hope is dawning bright and true Day is breaking, night is quaking God is making all things new Jesus saves

Hear the heart of Heaven beating Jesus saves, Jesus saves And the hush of mercy breathing Jesus saves, Jesus saves Hear the host of angels sing Glory to the newborn King And the sounding joy repeating Jesus saves

See the humblest hearts adore Him Jesus saves, Jesus saves And the wisest bow before Him Jesus saves, Jesus saves See the sky alive with praise Melting darkness in its blaze There is light forevermore Jesus saves

He will live our sorrow sharing Jesus saves, Jesus saves He will die our burdens bearing Jesus saves, Jesus saves It is done will shout the cross Christ has paid redemption's cost While the empty tomb's declaring Jesus saves

Freedom's calling, chains are falling Hope is dawning bright and true Day is breaking, night is quaking God is making all things new Freedom's calling, chains are falling Hope is dawning bright and true Day is breaking, night is quaking God is making all things new Jesus saves

O to grace, how great a debtor Jesus saves, Jesus saves All the saints who shout together Jesus saves, Jesus saves Rising up so vast and strong Lifting up salvation's song The redeemed will sing forever Jesus saves

Rising up so vast and strong Lifting up salvation's song The redeemed will sing forever The redeemed will sing forever Jesus saves, Jesus saves

Jesus saves His people

He saves them from their sins

Penalty - God’s infinite wrath was satisfied by Jesus on the cross!

Power - Our preposition απο (apo) may describe leaving a place or community, but its use suggests that this separation comes with feelings such as grief or relief. It may likewise describe the removal of certain items from a place or person, which may bring our word close to the idea of cleansing.

Promises/Power

If God did not have the power or will to fulfill His prophecies then He will not have the power or will to come through with His promises.

Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”

Mary’s obedience to God was based upon His words

Our words have limited power.

Psychology today (Jack Shafer) - “Words cannot change reality, but they can change how people perceive reality. Words create filters through which people view the world around them.”

Mary’s hope and obedience was on God’s word changing reality.

Hebrews 11:3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

John 11:43 “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.”

Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Luke 19:9 “And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”

Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”