Are You Ready?
Christmas Series 2025 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
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.
Introduction
Introduction
In the verses this morning, we see the birth of Jesus recorded for us. This was a time of turmoil and stress in the land of Palestine. Yet, God chose to send the Prince of Peace to a world in need of salvation.
That is the essence of the Christmas story. The theme of salvation, the grace of God for a lost world, and the love of God that provided a way to have fellowship with Him - this is the essence of the Christmas story. John begins his Gospel with these words,
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Expression of the thought of the Father is Jesus Christ. He is the Logos or the Word. He became a man so that we would have grace in our sin. This is the Incarnation of Jesus. Why would God want to come to be a man on earth?
The truth is that He knew we were in need. We cannot do anything on our own to change our sinful condition. Our sin is the result of choosing to disobey God’s commands in the Garden of Eden and every day since then. We have chosen to go our own way as people. We have done what pleased ourselves. We are selfish and sinful because that is what we are born into. Isaiah tells us,
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
God and mankind are separated because of mankind’s sin. God wants to have a relationship with each and everyone of us. He has chosen to send His only Son to die in our place. This is the Christmas story. Have you ever chosen to receive the gift of Jesus from God to you?
The answer would be a clear no for the people of Bethlehem in our passage this morning. Jesus came to show God’s love but they missed it. Are you ready?
Declaration
Declaration
The people of Bethlehem were not ready for the coming of the King. God came to earth and was born as a man among sinful mankind. Today, God is with us as we live out our Christian lives. The gift of God is shown here with the reaction of the people.
1. The Occasion of the Incarnation
1. The Occasion of the Incarnation
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
God gave a gift to mankind in Luke chapter 2. We see in the first five verses the background of the Birth of Jesus. Jesus came during a time of hardship and turmoil in the world. Can we not understand that cultural situation in our day?
Verse 1 tells us that this was “in those days”. The story in Luke 2 is hard to separate from the picture of a grandfather sitting down to read a story to his gathered family. This is the comfort that we see in this passage. Beyond that comfort, this phrase is cluing in the reader to a coming event that signals the last days are near.
Verse 1 gives us the event that brings the story into being. Caesar Augustus decreed the numbering of the people. This emperor was originally born named Octavian. His own birth had been associated with astronomical events. His rise to power had seemed like a destiny given to him by a higher power.
Yet, in this passage, he is only the instrument that God uses to bring about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Micah regarding the place of Jesus’ birth. God uses conscious servants and unconscious servants in the revealing of the kingdom plan. God is in control of events and He seeks to show grace to all who will come to Him. The prophecy of Luke 2 is seen in the Old Testament prophet Micah,
But thou, Beth-lehem 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.
Verse 1 tells us that the decree of the emperor was to go and be counted. Joseph goes along with many others back to his ancestor’s home. Obedience is the character of Joseph. The place of Bethlehem was not only the location of his families history but the place that the future of salvation for the world would come.
God has brought about this hardship in the life of Joseph and Israel. There would have been many who had trouble traveling back to another city. They might have decided that obedience to the civil law was inconvenient. Yet, God allowed this in the lives of these Jewish people as a part of His eternal plan. God cares for His people as He cares for us today. The correct response to hardship is humility.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Joseph, and the other people who were forced to travel, went back to their cities. God had placed the Roman government in charge. Their roads would carry the message of the Gospel to many people. God is always working. Joseph and the other proud Jewish people were forced to follow the commands of a pagan power that God was using.
Mary comes along with Joseph as we see in verse 5. There is much speculation on the reasoning for this. Whatever it was, God protected them and helped them arrive in time in the city of Bethlehem. All of the requirements were not in place for the fulfillment of the Promise. The writer of Hebrews tells us what the expectations of the Old Testament believers were for the coming work of God.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
What can we learn from the occasion of the Incarnation? Jesus came at the right time in history. Jesus came at a inconvenient time for Joseph and Mary. God sent Jesus to bring peace. Have you received peace in your life? The only true peace is in knowing that your sin is forgiven and the future is sure as God will one day bring all of His people to be with Him forever. God became a man in a time that needed peace.
2. The Response to the Incarnation
2. The Response to the Incarnation
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.
The second portion of the passage turns from the background to the Birth of Jesus itself. This is the heart of the message this morning. What is the response to the coming of God to die for mankind?
A person’s response to Jesus shows on the outside the condition of their heart. Throughout the Bible, when God spoke to man, he had different responses. Adam and Eve fled and hid themselves. Solomon spoke to God with respect and asked for wisdom. Isaiah saw and voiced his sinfulness at the foot of the throne of God.
In verse 6, we see that during their visit to Bethlehem for the census, the birth of Jesus occurred. Perhaps Luke is giving us the completion of the period of Mary carrying Jesus when he says “the days were accomplished.” But the greater salvation message here is that the perfect time that God had chosen before the creation of the world had now arrived. Jesus, “Jehovah saves”, has now come to bring redemption to mankind. Our sin has placed us in bondage that we cannot escape. We have a debt that we cannot pay for. There is a coming punishment that we deserve because of our sin. But as Luke says, “the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” Paul continues this thought beyond the physical realm to the spiritual,
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Salvation means that we are no longer the children of sin. We have a new Father. When the people of the world tell you that everyone is a child of God, they are not in keeping with the teaching of Scripture. Instead, those who have accepted the salvation that Jesus offers are adopted into the family of God.
In verse 7, we see the Virgin Birth of Jesus for the only time in this passage. Jesus was the firstborn of Mary. He was the fulfillment of the dedication of the firstborn children back to the Exodus from Egypt.
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
Mary wraps Jesus in linen cloths that showed He was a newborn child. She puts Him in a trough that would have been for the animals to eat from. She has seen with her own eyes the object of her life of faith.
The passage ends with an explanation for the location of the birth. There was no room for Jesus where they were. The people whom God had promised a coming Saviour missed the arrival.
We can spend time condemning the people in Bethlehem. We can talk about those who were in the city of Jerusalem that were not there when the star was seen in the heavens. But the message this morning is for us here today. Are we ready? Are we ready for God’s presence in our lives? God is among us now that He has come at Christmas but are we ready for God to work in our lives as He wants to? The angel had spoken to Joseph of the arrival of God Himself in the birth.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
God is now here and what is the response of the people? There is no one ready to make room for Him. Jesus reminds His disciples in the Upper Room,
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
The world is not ready to receive Jesus. The sin and the shame that He reveals hold them back. He was clear in His ministry that sin holds many back from responding to the truth that God has come to die for mankind. Talking about the coming Holy Spirit, Jesus told His followers,
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
The world will not accept Jesus. But will you accept Him? Are you ready?
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
This is the heart of the message this morning. We must be ready for God to be a part of our lives. If we are saved this morning, God wants us to experience His presence and comfort. He wants to be your God and dwell with you. Paul uses the promise of God to the people of Israel in the Old Testament as a motivator to all Christians,
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Are you ready unbeliever? Jesus is ready to give you the free gift of salvation. He lived a perfect life and died for the sins of the world on the cross. He took your punishment and He rose again the third day. He has won the victory over death and He has eternal life for those that put their faith in Him. Every person must choose how to respond to Jesus. Are you ready?
The epistle to the Hebrews is helpful in placing the Incarnation in the correct context of the plan of salvation. The center of the focus in this passage and the event that changes everything in this chaotic world is the birth of Jesus. Jesus is the center of the focus.
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Are you ready? God dwells with us. We remember at Christmastime the truth that God came and was born a man. But who is Jesus in your life? Are you ready for the coming of the King? Today, we need to get ready because God wants to dwell with us and bring peace to our world of chaos.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The people of Bethlehem were not ready for the coming of the King. God came to earth and was born as a man among sinful mankind. Today, God is with us as we live out our Christian lives.
Are you ready? That is the question this morning. The people of Bethlehem were not ready. The religious people who studied the prophecies were not ready. The world that was occupied with the coming and going of business and government were not ready. Are you ready?
The good news is that this morning, you can be ready. Jesus is the same today that He was then. He gives the same salvation to people today that He did on the cross of Calvary almost 2000 years ago. Will you receive that gift?
Can you say that you see God at work in your life? In a world of chaos, is there peace in your life? Jesus came to bring the peace of God and the peace with God to a world of shifting and running back and forth. The chaos of the census was but the background for the greatest event that could have taken place: God with us. The grace of God for the salvation of whosoever will happened at Bethlehem.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Are you ready for Jesus this morning? Will you allow God to be with you in your life today? Today, be ready!
