The Angelic Choir and Christ as King

The birth and proclamation of King Jesus is both similar and not similar to typical kings. All of which show a glorious king but humble and for his people.

I. Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1–7 “1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

II. Proclamation of Jesus’ Birth

Luke 2:8–14 “8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!””

What a sign that would be! What situation do you have to be to have your baby in feeding troth?

III. The Proclamation of the Proclamation

Luke 2:15–20 “15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Wondered=marveled.

And what a marvel it would be that such poor peasants would have such a king lying in a makeshift bed...not fit for the lowliest baby on earth.

Last week we saw how the Old Testament Scriptures point to Jesus as revealing his offices of prophet, priest and king. This year for advent we are going to look at Luke 2 and see how these offices come out on full display for us as we see the birth of Jesus.

Today we begin with the beginning of Luke 2, the birth and proclamation of Jesus’ birth, as it points to Jesus as King.

Read text (Luke 2:1-20)

Intro:

France in the early 1600s was in a very precarious position that affected both rich and poor, higher and lower classes alike. In 1615 king Louis XIII and Anne of Austria were married, and by the start of the year 1628 (23 years) no heir to the throne had come from their marriage.

No heir to the throne at this time meant that the kingdom itself was in jeopardy. Anytime a king died without an heir there was always a strong possibility of a civil war and instability throughout the land. So, imagine being a peasant with a family around your table, knowing the kingdom was not secured and your kids might be called up to fight in a war over who would be king.

It would be like for us, something getting in the way of a free and fair election for president.

For the sake of prosperity and life, you, a long with everyone in the kingdom, would be praying for a legitimate heir to be born for the sake of the kingdom.

So when Anne was approaching 40 and was pregnant with a child, all arrangements were made for the baby to be born with all the dignity of royalty and with the best physicians taking care of her and the baby:

The baby was born in one of the finest castles in France (a chateau)—with the best doctors the French kingdom could bring in.

And when a baby boy was born healthy, there was great rejoicing in the castle and through out the land as the heralds and courtiers proclaimed the good news across the land: Louis XIV was the new heir of France.

This baby would grow up to be the King of France for over 70 years and he ushered in the age of absolute rule for the king in France. His reign would bring a centralizing of power to the king, great advancement in French culture, great military expansion, and needed administration reform to make France a modern state.

Despite this success, it came with a shadow. His absolute power caused him to crush any dissention and brought the nation to serious debt, which many contribute to the horrors of the French revolution, a great reaction against absolute monarchy.

I bring up King Louis XIV because there are a lot of comparisons and contrasts we can make with Jesus as King in Luke 2.

There is a main comparison in which both King Louis and King Jesus brought about a monarchy that is absolute in authority and power

King Louis XIV brought in the age of absolutism for the kings in France—claiming divine right to power (power comes from God and not the people)

And Jesus came to be an absolute king over his kingdom, claiming a royal power from God himself and not man.

Luke 1:26–33 “26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.””

And we will see aspects of his greatness even in this Christmas story here.

But a major contrast between Jesus and absolute kings like Louis the XIV is that his birth story is marked by humility and lowliness, despite his greatness.

And this is because where the absolute king era brought in an age of revolution after it, Jesus uses his role as king in humility to serve his people.

Psalm 110:3 “3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.”

Whereas earthly kings gain more power at the expense of their people, Jesus receives glory and power which enables and empowers his people.

And this key feature of his kingship is revealed here in Luke 2 as Jesus coming in humility.

Humility is not weakness, but power used for your good:

Matthew 11:28–30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

And so the narrative of Jesus’ birth and birth announcement is a story full of revealing the exalted Jesus as well as the humble Jesus. Who is both highly exalted and yet uses his exaltation in humility to serve the people of his kingdom.

This will challenge us and our view of king Jesus...do we have an awe of the infinitely glorious king Jesus?

And do we hold this with the seemingly impossible contrast that his reign reaches down even to you and I, to have a deep relationship with this awesome king?

For the church likes to fall into a ditch of either absolute power with not humility to serve the people, or being with the people at the expense of power:

Roman Catholicism with a view that Jesus is so high up that we cannot be reached

Modern evangelism that does not have a God that is so glorious instead they have a boyfriend

Luke gives us a grounded view here of king Jesus in Luke 2, one of a humble king that came for me and you, and one who is exalted high, with infinite and eternal glory.

I. Longing

But before we look at the text, I want to point out another comparison between King Jesus and King Louis XIV. When Louis was born there was great longing and expectation for an heir.

And on the night Jesus was born there was great longing from God’s people for someone to come and fulfill the promises of old:

Before the angels broke the sky to sing their festive and joyous song, there was a great longing from God’s people of the coming heir to fulfill the structure and promise of scripture: who will be our prophet, who will be our priest, who will be our king? Who will come and fix the problems that are so prevalent in our world?

John in Revelation describes this perfectly:

Revelation 5:1–4 “1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.”

This is like the people of the French kingdom has no heir, or no king, is apparent for the kingdom...for a baby to be born with a strong claim, and have a strong reign.

By the way, this is an experience every person can relate to...a longing for help, a longing for something better. That is why our presidential candidates always offer hope and paradise on the campaign trail, and there is a level of longing in every heart.

I. Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1–7 “1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Humility: Parents forced to being out of town at his birth. Placed in a manger....swaddling cloths (maker of the heavens and earth).

Exaltation:

Micah 5:2 “2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

II. Proclamation of Jesus’ Birth

Luke 2:8–14 “8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 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 among those with whom he is pleased!””

Luke 2:8 “8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

Shepherds...not King Herod, the emperor of Rome, religious leaders...but the every day people

Jesus later would spend time with the everyday people:

Matthew 20:25–28 “25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Therefore, we can see the humility of Jesus’ cause as king to the masses in that the great proclamation came to lowly shepherds.

Yet here comes the exalted contrast showing Christ as exalted king...for the message came not simply by courtiers or heralds as the kings of the earth would use...instead Jesus had something much greater:

Luke 2:9 “9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

And furthermore, what accompanied the angel was the glory of the Lord

Luke 2:9 “9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

And it resulted naturally in fear for the shepherds

Luke 2:9 “9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

We talked about this last week, that since the fall of man in the garden, the glory of the God has been received with great fear from sinful man.

Genesis 3:9–10 “9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.””

And this theme plays out through out all of scripture. God’s glory being revealed in shekinah glory or a glory cloud.

Genesis

Giving of the Law to Israel

Exodus 19:16–20 “16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”

Hebrews 12:18–21 “18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.””

The construction of the tabernacle so God would dwell with Israel by sacrifice:

Exodus 40:35 “35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

Same thing happened with the temple:

1 Kings 8:10–11 “10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”

With the coming of King Jesus, we still have the fear of God when is presence settles on man, but there is an assurance not to fear:

Luke 9:28–36 “28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.”

Revelation 1:12–18 “12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

And so a common theme throughout the Scriptures is that man has a natural fear of God as he draws near.

And so a working of the kingdom that Christ has brought for the people is that that we can boldly approach the throne of God.

Now it is important to point out, that with Christ it is not as though he causes us not to have such an awe and respectful fear of God

But it’s that he causes us to go from fear feeding dread, to fear feeding joy, happiness, blissfulness.

Story of Rollercoaster being scary to pure fun...the fear turned into joy

The work of Jesus as your King is to make the endless glory of God something that is pleasurable to you.

This is why both fearing and being told not to fear is a common theme running in the story of Jesus birth:

When Gabriel came to Zechariah:

Luke 1:12–13 “12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

When Gabriel came to Mary:

Luke 1:28–30 “28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

And now:

Luke 2:9 “9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

Luke 2:10 “10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

It is common for man to be in total fear when they come into the presence of God because there is:

bad news...God is perfect in righteousness and holiness and he demands the same for his creatures if they are to enjoy his presence

for great dread....thus because we miss the mark there is misery for our condition within our soul

God created us to have union with him as our greatest aim, so to have the bad news of separation with him is the most miserable dread

for all men in sin...for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

And this is what makes God, and his Christ, so awesome in glory and power. And why there is no person who boldly approaches God on their own.

But the angel says not to fear, because this awesome Christ is also stooping down to man for:

Good news

For great joy

For all the people

What is that?

Luke 2:11 “11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

A savior has been born

Who provides a way from being condemned in sin and therefore in fear and misery before God, to being forgiven or saved from our sins so we can boldly approach this God.

Notice the contrast:

city of David, Christ the Lord....exaltation

Yet he is savior...comes down to helps us to come up to the glory cloud and rejoice.

Hebrews 12:18–24 “18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

III. The Proclamation of the Proclamation

Luke 2:15–20 “15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

Conclusion:

Marvel and treasure the mystery of the exalted Christ whose rule is for you

The history of Christ’s kingdom has been a history where the most powerful kings and the poorest peasants have walked in the same doors where the local assembly gathered to worship the same king.

story of:The early Church Father you are referring to is St. Ambrose of Milan. In the late 4th century, he famously refused communion to the Roman Emperor Theodosius I after the emperor ordered the massacre of thousands of citizens in Thessalonica. St. Ambrose took a strong stand on moral and ecclesiastical authority, asserting that even the emperor was not above the laws of God. This incident highlights the influence of the Church over secular rulers during that time.

1 Peter 2:9–10 “9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”