Lamb of God Luke 2:1-20

-Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

This week has been a big one for our family and we appreciate all of the prayers and support offered to Maggie and to us! As we got ready for her surgery, the enormity of the moment hit and she showed her first emotion of the entire experience. In that moment, I know that Suzanne or I would have gladly taken her place! Unfortunately, surgeries don’t work that way, but that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. He took our place and was the perfect sacrifice to take away the punishment for our sins!

I. Born in Humility vv. 1-7

In this passage, we see the purpose of God on display as His Son enters into the story of humanity

The political moment is critical: Though Mary and Joseph are from Nazareth in Galilee, the decree of Caesar Augustus sends them south to Bethlehem at the time for the delivery, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy

Likewise, Mary and Joseph are the right people, as descendants of David to raise a son who is from the family of David, King of Israel, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy

God is bringing His plan to fruition and now the time has come for His birth

When Jesus is born, He is born in humility

There is no palace waiting the birth of the King. In fact, there is no room for Him in the inn of Bethlehem

Likewise, He is laid in a manger, among the livestock

The Lamb of God is with us in the suffering of daily life; He enters into our world

This is absolutely critical: He will face the whole human experience, yet without sin

This incarnational ministry is fulfilled as He dies for the sake of our sin!

In Jesus, we see that God is with us and for us!

2 Corinthians 8:9

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:21

[21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV)

The Son of God became man to enable men to become sons of God.

-CS Lewis Mere Christianity

II. Proclaimed as Lord vv. 8-14

There is a strange juxtaposition that takes place here:

While Jesus is born into humble circumstances, He is proclaimed as Lord by the angels

However, the proclamation is made to shepherds, watching over their flocks by night

It feels like no coincidence that shepherds will be the first audience that views the Lamb of God

The angels tell us critical news about the identity of Jesus:

He is a Savior- He will not just deliver us from political occupation, but from God’s judgment on sin

He is Christ- He alone is God’s anointed servant; there is no way into God’s kingdom except through Him!

He is the Lord- He is God, come to us; Though He is fully man, none of His divinity is sacrificed

When we hear the proclamation of the angels, we are invited to respond!

With worship- we give glory to God for sending His Son

With faith- we have a peace with God through His Son

With understanding- we see God’s heart of mercy towards us through the sending of His Son

In 1962, the Sawi people of New Guinea still lived in relative isolation. They were head-hunting cannibals. Their culture could not be more different from that of Don and Carol Richardson, and yet this missionary couple attempted to share Christ with them. In fact, two rival Sawi tribes, fascinated by the Richardsons, moved their villages right around the missionaries’ jungle home.

But Don became frustrated by his inability to find a point of contact. He was also discouraged by the 14 civil wars he had already counted right outside his front door now that the two tribes lived side by side. Eventually, the Richardsons decided to leave. However, the Sawi response surprised them: "If you’ll stay, we promise we’ll make peace in the morning."

The next morning the Richardsons awoke to see the most amazing ritual they had ever witnessed. The two tribes were lined up outside their houses, on either side of the clearing. Finally, one man dashed into his hut, grabbed his newborn son, and began to run across the meadow towards the other tribe. His expression betrayed absolute agony. His wife ran after him, screaming and begging him to give the baby back to her.

But her husband wouldn’t stop. He ran over to the other tribe and presented the boy to them. "Plead the peace child for me. I give you my son, and I give you my name," he said. Moments later, someone from that tribe performed the same agonizing sacrifice with the same intensity and passion. Richardson found out later that as long as those two children remained alive, the tribes were bound to peace. If they died, then literally all hell would break loose--cannibalism, murder, civil war.

While this amazing scene unfolded before him, Don suddenly realized that this was the analogy he needed to communicate Christ. The next time he spoke to the Sawi elders he told them of the perfect Peace Child, Jesus. Eventually, droves of Sawi became followers of Christ.

III. Worthy of Wonder vv. 15-20

How do we respond to this news, that the Lamb of God has come for us?

We see three different responses here, and there is room for each in our lives:

Come and See- when the shepherds heard the news, they rose from their places and went to Jesus, so they could see for themselves

Go and Tell- After seeing Jesus, they told others about their experience and the news they had received

Stop and Reflect- The people “wondered” at the news of the shepherds and Mary treasured all of the circumstances in her heart

Christmas is a time for all of these things:

Have you come to Jesus yet and experienced the new life that He offers?

Are you telling others about Him?

Have you stopped to consider what it means?

A few weeks ago, one of our staff members was stationed in a local coffee shop, engaging in some evangelistic outreach. At Christmas, it seems like people are ready to talk and to engage in some good spiritual conversations. Bart asked a few questions, but one in particular stuck out to a lady: Why do you celebrate Christmas? Her response was telling! She paused and thought, “This is a good question. I must think about it.” I hope that you too will stop and reflect on Jesus this Christmas!