Angels and Shepherds

This Christmas Eve service will be focused on the birth narrative in the book of Luke.

Luke 2:8-21

Truth #1: Jesus brings light in the darkness (Verses 8-9)

Exp. Shepherds were in the same region as Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem because he was of the line of David. Angels appeared to the shepherds at night. Verses 8-9. Angels in Scripture are scary. Plus it’s night time. The glory of God shines brighter in the darkness. Fear is a natural response. God’s glory was meant to contrast the darkness in the world. Assyrian occupation, Babylon occupation, and Roman occupation. War and trials. Oppression. Carnage of sin. Darkness reigned. Even for Jews, God had been silent for 400 years. Finally, he brings a message. With it comes light. The light that we need.

Ill. When you walk into a dark room, you turn on a light. You don’t just stumble around in the dark.

Arg. John 1:4-5, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John writes to proves Jesus was the light. John 3:19–21, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” Jesus tells Nicodemus that the people loved the darkness. Do not want their hearts exposed.

App. Our natural inclination is to love the darkness. Natural inclination is to fall into darkness alone and sin without anyone knowing. Nobody knows our struggle. That’s the definition of loving the darkness. It is loving sin rather than loving God.

Christ - Jesus reveals that the only way to step into the light is through him. He is the light. Jesus doesn’t just change our actions, but he changes our hearts. We begin to desire him. How? He put our sin to death.

App. Here’s what to do:

Confess. There must be someone for you to confess to.

Repent. Turn from that thing and turn to God.

Truth #2: Jesus fulfills the plan of salvation (Verses 10-15)

Exp. The angel delivers a message. This message is packed! Angel shares the gospel of Jesus being from the line of David, a savior, the messiah, and the Lord. Verses 10-11. Good news = gospel. For the world. Notice he didn’t say Bethlehem. City of David.

Exp. Fulfilling the promise to David. 2 Samuel 7:16, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” Jesus is fulfilling this promise. Babylonian capture; line ended.

Exp. Savior. Literally one who saves. Christ is the Messiah. Jewish phrase meaning anointed one. NT is exclusively about Jesus. OT talks about Messiah in many ways. He would be resurrected (Psalm 16), new covenant (Jer. 31), forsaken and pierced (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53), rejected cornerstone (Psalm 118), born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), come at the right time (Daniel 7), bear our sins and suffering (Isaiah 52-53), a prophet would come before him (Malachi 4), like Moses (Deut. 18), pierced (Zechariah 12), riding a donkey (Zechariah 9), called out of Egypt (Hosea 11), son of God (Psalm 2), betrayed with 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11), willing sacrifice (Genesis 22), Passover lamb (Exodus 12), star from Jacob (Numbers 24), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Many more.

Ill. More details give a fuller picture. Coffee mug. White. Picture on it. Medium size. Picture of us. Has Christian on it. Bought it from Shutterfly.

Arg. The details give you confidence in knowing what mug it is. With Jesus it was different. His details were throughout OT. Jesus’ life makes all the details make sense. The OT is understandable because of Jesus.

Exp. Why the shepherds? Bethlehem was known for raising the lambs to be sacrificed at Jewish festivals. Bethlehem is so close to Jerusalem. Like Swannanoa and Asheville. Guess who inspected the lambs to be spotless? They would lay the lamb on a table and wrap it in cloth to inspect it. Verse 12. Shepherds look at this picture and imagine the lambs being inspected for sacrifice.

Christ - He is the lamb to be sacrificed.

App. Your sin was put on his shoulder. You don’t have to stay chained to it, but can be set free.

Exp. Lord. Master. Term was almost exclusively used for God in the OT. He is the Lord of all. Master of all. Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Truth #3: Jesus brings glory to God (Verses 14, 20)

Exp. This birth event gives us a glimpse of all creation uniting. The angels and humans worshiping the coming of Jesus. Verse 14. Angels are singing about the glory of God. Host = usually for war. This time for peace. Shepherds go to Mary and Joseph. Told Mary and Joseph what the angel said. Mary treasured them in her heart. Verse 20. In this passage we see angels worshiping and glorifying God and we see shepherds worshiping and glorifying God. Glorify = exalt or praise. Jesus’ presence helps others to exalt the father.

Ill. Sistine Chapel helps you appreciate Michelangelo. Pyramids for the Egyptians. Coliseum for the Romans.

Arg. In the same way, Jesus’ presence exalted the father.

John 14:13, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

John 14:31, “but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”

John 17:1, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you…”

John 17:25–26, “O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Christ - Christ lived to make the Father’s name known. Christ fulfilled God’s sovereign plan. Jesus glorified God by fulfilling his sovereign plan.

App. Are you living to glorify God? How can you glorify God?

Give your life to him. Deny your flesh, and give everything to him.

Go where he tells you to go. Maybe the Lord is calling you to the mission field or something else.

Conclusion

The birth narrative is crucial to the faith. It reveals that Jesus brings light in the darkness, fulfillment of salvation, and glory to God.