Luke 2:1-11 - The Arrival of the King

On the wedding day, there’s a massive amount excitement for one moment.

The arrival of the Bride.

So much work had gone into it, the invitations being sent out, the scheduling leading up to the most climatic moment, when the groom sees the bride.

The moment during the ceremony where anticipation builds.

The groomsmen/bridesmaids/ring-bearer/flower-girl

Everyone smiles at them, but they’re waiting for the Bride.

Then the music changes. Everyone stands in reverence.

During my wedding, the moment I saw Hilary, my lip started quivering.

It’s the only time in my life that it’s happened to me.

All throughout the Old Testament, God’s people have been anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, the Savior who was going to come into the world to redeem it.

The had this excitement that they were looking for the arrival of the King.

Big Idea: The Arrival of the King

Context

Caesar Augustus was the first emperor of Rome.

Under his leadership, the Roman Empire ushered in the “Pax Romana” or the “Peace of Rome.”

He called for the entire known world under his new regime to be registered.

The reason for this was so that he could see where the vast amounts of people were for taxation purposes and military planning.

Stand to read

Luke 2:1–5 ESV

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.

Leader: This is God’s Word

Everyone: Thanks be to God

Bethlehem is not a destination spot.

It’s a small village, Bethlehem was too small to be part of the clans of Judah.

No one was going to Bethlehem unless they have to.

The only reason Mary and Joseph are there was because of civic duty.

The distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem is around 100 miles.

Caesar Augustus is flexing his earthly power, and accidentally fulfilled a prophecy.

Unbeknownst to him, his political decisions are being used to set the stage for the birth of the True King.

Micah prophesied this would take place:

Micah 5:2 ESV

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.

Tom Schreiner calls this “an example of God’s secret sovereignty, by which the decisions of an emperor lead to the fulfillment of prophecy.”

Christians don’t believe in coincidence.

These guys are in positions of power, yet there is a much more sovereign and greater power over these human rulers.

God sovereignly used the Roman Emperor, who was not personally pursuing godly intent, to bring Mary and Joseph to a city He promised would be a part of His story of redemption.

God’s sovereignty manifests itself in Mary being in Bethlehem at the perfect time.

Luke 2:6–7 ESV

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.

While she was in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to the Son of God.

You would think that being the Son of God, He would have a grand entrance into the world.

He is the rightful King of glory, who created everything!

He deserves the greatest entrance every, right?

They were in Joseph’s town, but we learn there wasn’t any room in “the inn.”

A better translation is “guest room.”

The Bible mentions no innkeeper—and the room the Greek uses for hotel is different than this.

They likely stayed with Joseph’s relatives.

The houses in that day had two stories.

The upper room was where guests would stay

The lower room was divided into two—1 part for living space and the other to bring the animals in from the cold and theft.

The farmhouse and the animal’s quarters where the same thing.

Growing up, I loved the show undercover boss.

The idea was that a high-level corporate executive would go “undercover” (some of the disguises were “like… guys.”

They would disguise as an entry-level employee to experience the company’s day-to-day.

Discover problems, learn how employees truly think/feel, reward deserving workers.

They are seeking to actually learn what’s going on in a way that the employees can be their authentic selfs.

The corporate executive humbled himself/made himself lower to be with them.

They disguise themselves to learn. Christ humbled Himself to save.

So here lies the sovereign Son of God. In the animal’s food trough.

The King of all, the Son of the Most High, was made most low.

Being born as a baby, laying in the animal’s leftovers, God lowered Himself.

Today we would call CPS if that happened.

Here lies God in the most humiliating way possible.

Why would He do that?

He’s identifying with those He came to save.

Jesus’s manger shows our need (vv. 1-7)

The incarnation of the Son of God puts our glory-craving hearts in check.

This is Divine-humiliation. God made low.

The most powerful Being in the entire universe is born in the most humble.

We would never allow ourselves to do such a thing.

We’ll make sure we’re fed, clothed, and sheltered.

We’ll make sure our every need is taken care of—why? Because we deserve it.

High view of self and a low view of God.

The reality of God becoming a man, like us and being born in the way He was, to accomplish the mission He did should tells us everything there is to know about ourselves.

The most impressive, accomplished, self-sufficient person you know is actually a sinner.

They need a Savior.

The most religious person in your life, reads their Bible daily, doesn’t get angry or miss church is actually a sinner.

They need a Savior.

The Son of God left glory, was born in the most inglorious way to reveal to us our sinfulness, opposition to God, and our need for a Savior.

In ourselves, we do not have what it takes to make us right with God.

No amount of discipline, determination, or grit will allow us to be “holy/good enough”

Therefore, God made Himself lower than us to reveal to us our spiritual poverty.

We need a Savior.

This both requires and frees us to be honest with ourselves.

We can’t overlook our sin.

We have to recognize our own brokenness and inability to please God.

We take a good look at the manger and realize that Jesus had to be born this way because of my sinfulness.

I don’t deserve a Savior or to be recognized by God at all.

I deserve to be separated from God because I have sinned against Him.

This allows us to come to the Lord broken and humble before Him.

These are the very people Jesus came to.

The broken, hurting, rotten, weary, desperate people.

His mission was not to go to the self-righteous, but to sinners.

Transition

That’s exactly who the news of His coming goes to first.

Luke 2:8–9 ESV

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.

We have a Hallmark view of shepherds

We see them as admirable farmers.

In that time, these were not viewed as men of nobility.

They were the outcasts of society because they were never with society.

Sheep required round-the-clock tending, or else predators or their own stupidity will kill them.

These guys weren’t men of glory, reputation, or status.

The very nature of their job means they couldn’t observe the ceremonial laws.

They were unreliable and couldn’t even give a testimony in court.

They were nobodies and were regarded as nobodies.

This herd of nobodies were pulling a night shift were visited with a message from the Lord.

They were in the dark when they experienced the shining light of God’s glory!

They knew they didn’t deserve to see it, so they were fearful!

Awe and reverence gripped their heart!

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

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.

To this group of lowly men the angel gives the highest theology.

These guys, who no one picks, were the first to receive the announcement of the gospel.

These goons are the first to hear of “good news of great joy.”

They didn’t win a sweepstakes, they weren’t the best in their class, they didn’t earn this privilege.

Why them? Not the Pharisees? Why not Caesar himself?

This is a total act of God’s kindness toward those who DO NOT deserve it.

To the most unworthy, God says, “Here’s some good news.”

Perhaps you sympathize with the shepherds and wonder: “Who am I to think that God would love me?”

Then,

God has good news for you (vv. 8-11)

To these shepherds and to you, the Lord says, “For unto you…”

This is a direct message of great joy.

This news isn’t impersonal like a general Facebook invitation.

Not even quasi-personal like sending a card in the mail.

The messenger came, looked these guys in the eye and said “For unto you…”

“Born… A Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

This is the only time in the Bible we see all of Jesus’s titles brought together.

Savior, Messiah, Lord.

These titles emphasize one another.

This baby will save His people from their sins.

More personally than that, He came for you—He will save you from your sins.

Each Christmas, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle/bustle of the season.

For some of us, Christmas sneaks up on us faster than we’re prepared for.

We’re scrambling through it, trying to meet all the obligations and traditions, and just trying to survive the season.

When really this is supposed to be a time for us to stop and reflect that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

We need a Savior, Christ, Lord.

We need someone to provide for us the most urgent need of our lives.

We need forgiveness and deliverance from our sins.

God comes to us in His Word and says, “For you there was born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The Son of God came down from heaven and took to Himself a human flesh.

God became a man.

He was born into a broken, dark, and depraved world but lived perfectly according to the Law of God and in a perfect relationship with the Father.

He revealed to us God’s will and kingdom.

At the proper time, He laid down His life on the cross so that you and I could be forgiven of all our sins.

Now, when we trust in the finished work of the Savior, Christ, Lord, He forgives our sins and gives us the promise of eternal life because He rose 3 days after His death.

Turn from your sins and trust in the Savior.

God has given you good news of great joy.

This is the arrival you’ve been waiting for.

This is the change to your life you’ve been waiting for.

It’s arrived. He’s here.

Look to Jesus and be changed today!

Take a next step toward the one who can save us from our sins.

Take the Next Step

Humble yourself before the Humble King

Recognize your spiritual brokenness before God.

Receive God’s good news.

Believe that Jesus was born to die and that when He did, it counted for you.

God and tell someone: “I have good news of great joy for you,”

Tell someone what Jesus is doing in your life and what He can do in theirs.