Luke 2:1-20
Notes
Transcript
2 But thou, Bethlehem 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. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Historical Setting to the Birth of Jesus
Historical Setting to the Birth of Jesus
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. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
1-5: the birth of jesus is historical
Tertullian and Justin Martyr both write that you could check the Roman records for Jesus
Luke’s point with Caesar and the custom of the Jews paying taxes according to their family and family’s city is that salvation involves both the Jew in particular and the Gentile with universal implications
Think of it as lived in Nazareth, from Bethlehem
city of David: from Bethlehem, not like uncles and parents there, Joseph was from the lineage of David Matthew 1:15–16 “15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
trip 85-90 miles maybe took 3 days
all according to God’s providence and prophesy; God’s son had to be born in David’s city Micah 5:2 “2 But thou, Bethlehem 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 Birth of Jesus
The Birth of Jesus
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 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.
Jesus’ mother Mary Father God; he was the firstborn of the family of Joseph and Mary who went on to have other children (Matthew 13:55–56 “55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” ). Why care other than a family reunion? It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that Jesus’ mother Mary remained a virgin for her entire life. Scripture directly refutes this idea. Joseph and Mary had a normal marriage and the kids are proof of that.
The point Luke is stressing is that the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, while being divinely and fully God, took on the humbleness of humanity
The Angelic Announcement
The Angelic Announcement
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
I won’t disagree with the idea, but I want to ask for caution with the idea these were the “nobility” of shepherds, the only evidence we have of temple shepherds and tower flocks comes from the Mishna and targum Pseudo-Jonathan both finalized 200 and 100 years after Jesus lived; maybe was or maybe wasn’t, but use caution.
In general, the shepherds of the time were usually dishonest and ALWAYS ceremonially unclean according to the standards of the Law. I’ll admit it’s maybe only because of how the thought rings in my heart, but those shepherds rather than some priestly kind, seems more like me. Outcast’s and sinners were the first ti hear the GOOD NEWS
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
In contrast to the humble birth, the announcement is glorious
glory of the Lord is God’s presence among them
good tidings=gospel 11 times in the Gospels and 10 of them are in Luke
Saviour: Luke 1:67–69 “67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;”
city of David: Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed one
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Peace to all men? Exodus 23:22 “22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.” Romans 8:7–8 “7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” The men upon whom God’s favor rests
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
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