Significant Birth
Notes
Transcript
Luke 2:1-20
Luke 2:1-20
Ok, let’s turn to Luke 2 in our bibles as we come to a time of history when Yeshua split time in half! B.C. to A.D. and how this event later became the Christmas season. Luke is the only gospel writer who offers events he probably got directly from interviewing Mary/Miriam. After all, she was there!
1 Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. 4 And 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, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child.
Caesar Augustus began a regular census to count all the provinces of the Roman Empire, to evaluate the people’s wealth and corporate properties, to assess tax liabilities - or get more money to build, have city events and fatten their own wallets …Quereenius was governor of Syria from 6-12AD. So the census happened in that time frame. And like so many world leaders Caesar Augustus thought he was in charge. But God was the One in charge. Yeshua must be born in Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy of Micah.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [Ephrathah was its ancient name and ironically means “fertility”] as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, [pop. under 1000] from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from everlasting, from the ancient days.”
When this census took place Joseph and Mary were still betrothed; thus legally married but they had not yet consummated their marriage and were living in Nazareth. But Joseph, a man of great faith and understanding was a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah. Imagine this: Mary is close to term & only 15-16 years old! Obviously, Joseph couldn’t leave Miriam behind! So off they went! - verses 6-7
Now it happened that while they were there, [in Bethlehem] the days were fulfilled for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; [note Luke says “her firstborn” not Joseph’s] and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room.
So Joseph is forced to take his pregnant wife on a four day journey to Bethlehem and contrary to popular Christmas cards, it’s likely they traveled with a caravan of friends for safety and fellowship. After all, this was the babe of Bethlehem!
Problem was, because of the census as soon as they got to Bethlehem, all the rooms had been filled
Perhaps all this stress caused Mary to go into labor so Joseph was forced settle for the lower level of a family home, where animals were kept at night. Sort of like a garage or cave under the home.
The manger was not a structure made of wood as we see on Christmas cards because trees were scarce. Our tour guide in Israel showed us this stone trough. This was more likely. Fits the character of our Lord much better anyway!
This is a picture of the lower level. - This also fits the character of our humble king!
Meanwhile, it’s a clear starry night as the shepherds are minding their own business. Verse 8.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
This climate pattern suggests Jesus was probably born in the Summer or Fall because shepherds would be tending sheep in the fields from Spring, Passover until Tabernacles in the Fall, . How did we get December 25 anyway? Tradition!
The earliest evidence of the church celebrating his birth was in Rome around 336 AD. But it became more widely accepted after Emperor Constantine declared it a permanent celebration in 379 AD.
It gained further prominence 56 years later in 435 AD, when Pope Sixtus III celebrated the first Christ Mass on December 25. Since then, the traditions kept coming through times of persecution and religious power.
The Yule log, was expected to burn throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas, with a piece saved to light the next year's log for continuity and good fortune. Eventually it was replaced by a chocolate cake. the twelve days of Christmas was written as a gospel song in “code”
St Nicolas, became
Santa Claus or Jolly St Nick
In 1670 the choirmaster of the Cologne Cathedral bent white sugar sticks into the shape of a shepherd's staff to keep children quiet during long Christmas services, later became the Candy Cane!
Then 1939 Rudolph was a sales promotion for Montgomery Ward. And commercialism has made it a reason to buy gifts and many into debt! But no, Yeshua was not born on December 25! The date doesn’t matter! If it did, the scripture would have made that clear. Verse 9-11
And an angel of the Lord 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.
[notice it’s the same Angel of the Lord orchestrating everything yet in each instance it’s frightening to people] -
1] For example in Luke 1 Zechariah was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard.
2] The angel said to a perplexed Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
3] When Joseph considered divorcing Mary, the angel appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the One who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
4] When the Apostle John saw the resurrected Jesus he states: I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not fear; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. But now he predicts the birthplace of the promised Messiah to these frightened Shepherds. So far, the Angel of the Lord has been batting a 1.000% ”.
Verses 12-15
“And this will be the 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.” And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
The Angels could not contain their excitement as they filled the sky with praise! And note they’re not singing but “saying”. But I have to believe they can sing because in the book of Revelation and other passages that some have instruments, and blow trumpets but the Bible never states that angels sing. Yet there is one in heaven who offers joyful singing and it’s in the bible. - later
But how I wish when we gather to worship weekly it wouldn’t be so hard for many to show some excitement about their salvation. I understand, they don’t know the song, or how Christian music today has become commercialized or is weak lyrically, even in some of the hymns, and people feel awkward of what to do. Yet when we see the touchdown, nothing but net or a winning homerun, we hoot and holler!! Hands lifted saying “yes, yes, we won”. So much tradition or sensationalism has squelched the true worshippers from expressing themselves. Maybe it’s our fault as worship leaders.
Others may blame the consistent embarrassment of disingenuous theatrics offered by televangelists who act like its the Holy Ghost all over them to excite the crowd, to rolling around or falling under the power and as the take an offering in a Jericho march!
I’m not sure where you may be at in worship but when I got saved, I didn’t care who saw me worship God, and I still don’t because I’m aware of who I am and Who He is!! It’s sad when people who attend church misunderstand what real worship is it becomes old hat! And the Shepherds looked at each other and said “Let’s go!”
16-20 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary [keep in mind, a young teenager] was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as was told them.
OK, it’s part of the traditional Christmas story - but not just a story because Jesus prayed that God’s word would sanctify us with His truth!!
So what fresh truth can we learn from this? AFTER GETTING ALL THE TRADTIONAL COBWEBS OUT OF MY WAY - I GOT IT - THE MIRACLE BIRTH - YES, OF JESUS BUT ALSO THE MIRACLE BIRTH OF US IN THIS ROOM! FOUR PICTURES.
1] The census - As born again believers we must be counted as followers of Christ
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ...because He’s in charge not government Nor mankind!
2] No place to stay - When we finally realize we’re lost and wandering in life, and we have no place to find comfort we experience birth pangs! That is, we must be born-again to perceive what God is doing.
“Whenever a woman is in labor she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a child has been born into the world. “Therefore you too have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
So we go into labor, because we’ve tried over and over to earn favor with God but without true relationship with Him those rituals are empty and get us nowhere. Jesus likened this woman suffering in labor to people who long for the return of Jesus. But we need a miracle birth, to gives us hope, a heart of rejoicing heart and a joy that supersedes our struggles on earth.
3] Birth must take place in the lowest level - Sometimes we experience this new birth when we are forced to our lowest place, we see our sinfulness and go to our knees, as a humble child!
Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever therefore will humble himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
4] The angels go to shepherds to rejoice over Christ’s birth - In first-century Judea, shepherds were generally viewed negatively by society, especially by the religious elite. Being shepherds was a dishonorable profession. They were seen outsiders, unclean, and untrustworthy. This describes our position without the new birth and why we went took heed to the sign and ran to Jesus who said. “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Remember, when it comes to Christ’s miracle birth, no date was given because the date isn’t important, a new birth is. That’s why Paul said “today is the day of salvation”! And even as Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, so too we must realize we are temples of the Holy Spirit and the incorruptible seed lives in us!
...for you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
I’ve discovered through the years so many people who attended children’s church, Christian school, taught classes, went to church for years, even read their bibles but never understood the gospel - Salvation cannot be earned, it is a gift. So ask yourself, why do you come to church? Is it to ease our conscience? to prove our worth, to tip hat to the man upstairs? to impress others? or to look and sound spiritual?
Well, none of those reasons give us a miracle birth! God wants us, warts and all! He sent His son to reconcile our severed relationship back to Him. He did it all, all to him we owe. And if you are here and have yet to experience this new birth, I want you to know a verse that sums it all up.
“Yahweh your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save. He will be joyful over you with gladness; He will be quiet in His love; He will rejoice over you with joyful singing.
Yes, our God is in our midst! He’s mighty to save! He’s the One Who sings and rejoices over you! How can you reject such a loving God? What will you gain by ignoring it?
The new birth is an angelic sign that motivates them to celebrate over you! So let’s take that to the table and give thanks. And if you’ve never accepted Him, today is the day of salvation. Please come talk to me during the BBQ outside. Don’t leave here “hoping” you’re OK, rather leave here “knowing” you are saved by grace. And the LORD would say. “Do not fear; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
