Life of Christ: Part 2:

Introduction:

Good morning Church family. last week we talk about the importance of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, and the announcements of John the Baptist, and Finally the announcement of Jesus Christ. today we are going to be looking at the birth of Christ, The wise man, and King Harold's decision. these events are important because they were foretold in the Old Testament by the prophets of old to the People of Isreal. today many only know Jesus by name, and not have a relationship with Jesus.

The Birth of Jesus Christ:

One of the two most important event for all Christians is the birth of Jesus Christ. for many today people all over the world know his name, and have heard about his teaching throughout the four Gospels within the Bible. The birth of Christ was prophesied through the old Testament. This was a major event for the people God, because a Savior who is to bring back the people to their God was born. Lets turn in our Bible to Luk 2:1-7

Luke 2:1–7 NASB95

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The first part of this passage talks about how the emperor of Rome wanted a census taken on the all the people, and required them to return to their Ancestral home. in some sense we can see that God’s timing is perfect. Joseph who is a descendant of David who had to return to Bethlehem, and Mary his wife at the time knew Jesus would be coming soon decide to travel with Joseph to Bethlehem. see the scriptures foretold that the Messiah was to born in Bethlehem. Turn in your Bible to Mic 5:2

Micah 5:2 NASB95

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

Through the scriptures we see that Bethlehem history with the Israelite people. Lets turn in our Bible to Gen 48:7

Genesis 48:7 NASB95

“Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”

we can also look at Ruth 1:22

Ruth 1:22 NASB95

So Naomi returned, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, who returned from the land of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

The true primary reason was because Bethlehem was the home of King David. 1st Samuel 16:1

1 Samuel 16:1 NASB95

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons.”

we can also look at 1st Sam 17:12

1 Samuel 17:12 NASB95

Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse, and he had eight sons. And Jesse was old in the days of Saul, advanced in years among men.

and 1st Sam 20:6

1 Samuel 20:6 NASB95

“If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, because it is the yearly sacrifice there for the whole family.’

we can probably assume that Joseph would not have made the trip if Rome had not insisted, and we can also see that God probably did not tell Joseph and Mary that their son need to be born in Bethlehem. another thing to keep in mind here was that Mary did not need to go but decide to go because probably she did not want to be away from Joseph, and that baby Jesus was probably due soon. Now if we look at verse 4 through 5 here in Luk 2:4-5

Luke 2:4–5 NASB95

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

we really do not get any details containing to the trip from Galilee to Bethlehem, or how they ended up sleeping with the livestock, or maybe the inn was probably full at the time. this allow us to look at the last two verse of this passage here in Luk 2:6-7

Luke 2:6–7 NASB95

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

at the end of this passage here we see that Baby Jesus is born. The birth of Jesus was to bring hope to people of God because Jesus is going to be the one who brings the people back from the separation of sin to God. we can also see that term first born can be use in all kind ways Heb 1:6

Hebrews 1:6 NASB95

And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.”

The true is that Mary and Joseph continue to have children after Jesus was born. Jesus had brothers and sisters. How did the birth of the one who would save mankind go unnoticed? the truth is the birth of Jesus Christ did not go unnoticed this lead us to our next point.

The Birth of Jesus was proclaim to the Shepherd’s:

The birth of Jesus Christ did not go unnoticed. think about this many people probably assume that this was just an ordinary child being born during this time but in reality that far from the truth. Let’s turn in our Bibles to Luke 2:8-20

Luke 2:8–20 NASB95

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

during this time frame many people would move about from place to place. the people would work at the start of sunrise until the sun when down. a child being born would nothing new to these people. The Birth of Jesus was one of the common birth. Jesus was never part of a physical noble family. God had his hand involve in the birth of Jesus. God did not let his son birth go un-publicized there was no divine announcement to any of the people except to small group of Shepherd’s. Lets look at verse 8 here in Luk 2:8

Luke 2:8 NASB95

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

if you look throughout the scriptures God had promise his people a savior, and that there would be signs to when he comes. Now if we look at verse 9 through 12 here Luk 2:9-12

Luke 2:9–12 NASB95

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Now if think about these shepherds had probably look for this child for awhile before they found him in the manger. now if we continue with this passage here in Lk 2:13-18

Luke 2:13–18 NASB95

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

Here from this passage in Luke we can probably assume that the Shepherd were probably the earliest Evangelists ever. As soon as possible after they had seen Christ. they went on their way to proclaim what that had witness to others. this allow us to continue on with passage in here in Luk 2:19-20

Luke 2:19–20 NASB95

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

at the end of this passage here we come to see that Mary treasured all that was happening here due to the birth of Christ. This allow us to move on to the next event Life of Christ mean that Christ is still under the Mosaic Law

The circumcision and Naming of Jesus; The Temple service:

so in this next passage we come to see that Jesus visit a temple probably for the first time, and some of the interesting things about what is said in this passage here. so lets turn in our Bible to LK 2:21-39

Luke 2:21–39 NASB95

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

one of the few problems about the birth of Jesus Christ is that there some people who believe that because of his birth marked the end of the Old Testament era, which is not true. The birth of Christ was the beginning of the end process. we see this from Gal 4:4

Galatians 4:4 NASB95

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

from this verse here in Gal we can see that Paul who was an apostle until after the death of Christ had understanding that Christ follow the Law of Moses.