My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

Today we are continuing our series on the books of Luke and Acts. Today we will look at the entire chapter two. I know there is a lot here but we will go through it quickly. The first part of this we just talked about a few weeks ago at Christmas, but I hope to bring out some things that maybe you didn’t know. I don’t know about you but I love history. I hope that I will give you some neat information that will help you better understand this passage and the elements of the Christmas story.

If you have your Bibles, go with me to the book of Luke. We will be reading everything in chapter 2, so just plan on keeping your bibles open there. We will begin reading at verse 1.

Luke 2:1–3 NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

In the Roman world there were two reasons for a census.

1. Military 2. Taxes

Military because they wanted to know how many soldiers were available. And taxes because someone had to pave the roads. During this time the Roman empire was responsible for most of the roads that were built. They made about 50,000 miles worth of roads. Some of them you can still see and use today. Rome would use the tax dollars all over the region to build the roads.

In verse one it mentions Caesar Augustus, here are some interesting facts about Caesar Augustus. His real name was Gaius Octavius. He was adopted by Julius Caesar and would replace Julius Caesar as Emperor of Rome. This would take place after a serious battle with Mark Antony and Cleopatra the Egyptian queen. He named a month on our calendar after himself. Can anyone guess? If you said August, then you are right. In 14 AD, he died natural causes near Naples. His body was returned to Rome and as a show of deep respect for the statesman, nearby businesses closed down for the day of his funeral. The impact he had made on the Roman Empire and the life of Roman citizens was clear but did you know that after his death he was also declared a god? The Senate made an official dictate after he died that placed him in the pantheon of Roman gods worshipped throughout the Empire. There are some inscriptions that say about him - The Savior of the World.

Isn’t it kind of ironic that God would have his son, the real savior of the world, be born in the time of Caesar Augustus, someone that was claimed by the Romans to be the savior of the world. In this world there will always be kings and presidents. There will always be rulers. But there is only one King of Kings and Lord or Lords.

Romans 14:11 NIV

11 It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ”

Can we take a moment and acknowledge King Jesus? Can we stand and give Him praise?

Luke 2:4 NIV

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

When you look at a map you will notice that for us Nazareth is above Bethlehem. We would say, “go down to Bethlehem,” but they are going up in elevation so they are going up to Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem from Nazareth because this was their own city. It was their origin. This important for Jewish heritage, but it was also a divine appointment. Look at Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 NIV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

God had a plan.

To go from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about a 70 mile walk but Bethlehem was up hill so they would have to walk up hill. It was bout a week long journey for them to make this trip and Joseph has a pregnant wife so, you can only imagine the trip.

When you look at the name Bethlehem in the Greek it means “House of Bread.”

Bethlehem - “House of Bread”

We know Jesus as “the bread of life”

Bethlehem is the House of Bread where Jesus the bread of life comes from.

Look at verse 5

Luke 2:5–7 NIV

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Long before people built a million hotels and condo in Branson, there was one strip of hotels and motels on Hwy 76. I remember as a kids going to Branson for our summer vacation and we would drive and look for a hotel that had the vacancy sign on the front. But you better get there early because at dark, all the good hotel and motels would turn the no light on and that sign would read no vacancy. Do you remember that? It was always miserable to be driving all day long and arrive at your destination and not find a hotel that had any vacancy. Many times you were just happy to find a place. Today, it’s not a problem to find one because there are millions of rooms in Branson and the outskirts of town.

So, think about Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem. The inns they would stay in were nothing like what we have today. An inn during their day was a place that caravans would stop. You would have a courtyard opened to the sky with rooms all around the courtyard. All the animals of the travelers would stay in the courtyard. So, because there was no room in the inn, it forced Mary and Joseph out in the field in some cave or they were in the courtyard with the animals.

And a manger is not made of wood like we see in the movies. It is made of stone chiseled into a feeding trough.

And just like back then, there is still no room for Jesus in many people’s lives. We have to make room for our savior and lord. He is our king and He is our lord.

Luke 2:8–12 NIV

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

I can just imagine the shepherds are enjoying there job. They are out in the peaceful night air. Probably looking at the stars in the sky. There are probably not many sounds.

Have you ever been camping or somewhere out of town and look up at the clear night sky and you see thousands of stars. It is beautiful. I can imagine it was kind of like this for the shepherds until the angels showed up. Verse 13 says.

Luke 2:13–14 NIV

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Many people think the angels were singing here but it doesn’t say that. Verse 13 says, “praising God and saying.” The angels were speaking these words.

There are 34 books in the bible that speak about angels. 17 books in the Old Testament and 17 books in the New Testament. Angels are messengers. They praise God in Heaven and they do God’s bidding on earth. Only two times in scripture are angels found singing. At the beginning of creation before the fall and at the end. Job records one time and Revelation the other.

In Job it is when God is questioning Job and He says…

Job 38:4–7 NIV

4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

And then the other is in Revelation 5:1-5

Revelation 5:8–9 NIV

8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

The four living creatures it is talking about is angels. So, the only reference we have in scripture of angels singing is before the fall of man, before the curse and after the curse is removed. They aren’t singing when Jesus is born but they are saying very loudly.

I bet it frustrates the angels dearly to not be able to sing praises to our king and lord and I bet it frustrates them for us to not sing. We come into a worship service and sometimes people just sit there. We are redeemed by grace and we have the opportunity to sing praises to God and you the angels are excited for their next opportunity.

Let me encourage you to sing to your Savior. Open up your mouth and let it go. God loves to hear you sing. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Who cares what anyone thinks around you? Sing with all you might. Because it is unto the Lord.

Luke 2:15–20 NIV

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The shepherds were the lowest rung on the social ladder. Shepherds were considered ceremonially unclean because they couldn’t take a Sabbath. So they were despised by everyone. They were outcast. the lowest of the low.

These shepherds were the shepherds that raised the sheep that were used for sacrifice. These shepherds were the shepherds outside of Bethlehem and that was their job to take care of the sheep that were used for sacrifice. Isn’t it interesting that these shepherds are going to see the lamb of God. This is the lamb that will some day be the ultimate sacrifice that will put these shepherds out of business. The lamb who will take away the sins of the world.

Luke 2:21–24 NIV

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

The law of circumcision predated the law of Moses. It was actually instructions given to Abraham in Genesis 17:10-11

Genesis 17:10–11 NIV

10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

It was a cutting away of the flesh. So this was in place long before Moses time.

What was significant about the 8th day. We don’t know except that God said so. We do know now with medical science that blood clotting is at its highest rate on the 8th day after a baby is born. Days 1-7 is slower clotting and after day 8 it is slower clotting but on the 8th day it was perfect. So, God gave us this day long before this study was done. Isn’t it amazing that God is perfect in everything He does.

As for the offering mentioned in verse 24.

Luke 2:24 NIV

24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

The law of Moses says that at the end of a woman’s cycle to bring a lamb and dove or a lamb and a young pigeon or if you can’t afford a lamb then bring two doves or two pigeons. So, this verse tells us they were a poor family, but Mary brought the ultimate lamb with her. She brought her lamb, Jesus that would soon become the ultimate sacrifice to save the world.

Luke 2:25–35 NIV

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Simeon is an interesting man. We don’t know his age, but we assume that he is old, possibly very old. Verse 25 says he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was waited for the long awaited Messiah that had been prophesied about. In verse 26, the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Christ means anointed one.

So, I can imagine this old man waiting day in and day out waiting for the chosen Messiah. Think about it. It’s been 400 years since God has spoken to His people and now all these things are starting to happen again. It was exciting times in Israel again. Especially those in the know.

But when Simeon finally spots the Messiah, he goes to the parents and takes the child into his arms and say something that is so powerful in verse 30.

Luke 2:30 NIV

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

Simeon is looking at baby Jesus and he says, “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” He is talking to Jesus.

Salvation is not something you do, It is Someone you know.

Do you understand that?

You are not saved unless you know Christ. And if you don’t know who Jesus is then you need to get to know Him today. Do not wait any longer to know Jesus. Know Him today!

Then he says in verse 32

Luke 2:32 NIV

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Who are Gentiles? Anyone who is not a Jew. I would guess that all of us here are Gentiles.

John calls Jesus the light in John 1:4

John 1:4 NIV

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

If you will give me some liberty here, Jesus, this baby is God’s flashlight. He is sent to show people a way out of darkness. Look at verse 34 again.

Luke 2:34 NIV

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

He basically told Mary your baby will be the most loved and most hated ever. And He still is today. There are people that love Him so much and there are people that hate the very name of Jesus. In verse 35, we get the first hint of the cross.

Luke 2:36–40 NIV

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Anna lived her entire life fasting and praying, so you can imagine her delight when the Messiah came. We estimate her age to be between 103 and 105.

Let’s conclude with this story.

Luke 2:41–51 NIV

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

This is the only recorded story that we know about Jesus’ childhood. Everything else, the 12 years before this moment and the 18 years after this moment are silent. One thing I want you to understand about this story is at the age of 12 years old, Jesus understands His divine calling.

If you want to see this church grow then I need you to help us to make our youth and children a bigger priority in 2024. God is calling young people to begin preparing themselves for the work of the ministry and I believe that we can be a part of this.

Jesus came to this world. God had a plan and a mission for the birth of His son. Everything was in place and it was perfect. The location, the time, the place, the plan, everything, perfect.

Our Father is a good father. He is perfect in all His ways.