Who is this Child - The Baby in the Manger?
Notes
Transcript
Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2:9-12 & Luke 21:25-27
Scene 1: We all know the picture so well.
The baby, Jesus born in Bethlehem so many years ago.
A special baby, a baby that many have been waiting for.
There are many images that come to mind when we speak of the birth of the baby Jesus.
We think of a stable, perhaps in a cave or a basic structue behind an inn or house.
The reality is that room was found.
Most certainly not in a guest room, as would have been normal; for the town of Bethlehem was packed, literally to the rafters.
Perhaps the overflow of people in many homes in Bethlehem that night ended up in the area of the house usually used for animals.
Tradition in this case says a cave directly behind a house.
Whatever the exact circumstances, some privacy was needed, space to give birth and care for a newborn.
And when this child was born.
There was no cot available so we read of;.......
The manger.
A feed trough used for cattle made into a makeshift cot.
A sign of poverty and humility.
The angel.
Sent to proclaim the good news.
To tell of God’s favour upon mankind.
But it wasn’t just one angel.
It was a multitude, the armies of heaven.
Praising God and saying Luke 2:14 ““Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.””
The shepherds.
Terrified at first.
Well that is understandable.
It’s not everyday an Angel of the Lord appears with incredible news and then the whole host of the armies of heaven.
That sort of experience tends to blow the whole peaceful night under the stars right out of the water.
Naturally they were terrified.
But then overjoyed to hear that they will be the first to see the newborn Messiah.
Mary & Joseph.
Tired, exhausted, yet somehow serene as they are entrusted with bringing God in human form into the world.
Somehow so special yet so ordinary.
For every day all over the world babies are born in poverty in places no better than that makeshift bithing room.
So what was so important about this event that we still celebrate it 2000 years later.
Scene 2: Who was this baby Jesus?
The gifts that the wise men brought give us a clue.
Gold was given, for Jesus is a King.
Not an ordinary king but the King of the universe, the creator the ruler of all.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry here on earth he spoke often of the Kingdom of God.
It includes heaven, yes but it is also the place here on earth in our hearts where God’s rules apply.
It is living our lives loving God and loving others.
Frankincense was given to Jesus.
It was a fragrant gum resin from Boswellia trees, which grow in South Arabia, Ethiopia, Somaliland, and India.
Frankincense was imported into Judah by camel caravan and was mainly used in the temple as incense.
No other incense was permitted on the altar (Exod. 30:9) and secular use of the sacred recipe was absolutely forbidden (Exod. 30:38). [1]
It was given to Jesus as a sign that he was to have a priestly role, pointing people towards a right relationship with God.
Myrrh was given to Jesus by the wise men from the east.
It was used in embalming (John 19:39),
When bodies were being prepared for burial it was customary for spices to be placed in the grave clothes as a form of embalming.
While they did not significantly inhibit the decay of the body, they served as deodorants and disinfectants.[2]
Jesus required this Myrrh because he was destined to die as a sacrifice to pay for our rebellion against God.
But that is just the beginning of the story, because the Angels, the wise men, the gifts.
Everything said that this baby came for a purpose.
Scene 3: Who did that baby in the manger grow up to be?
Certainly more than just a baby He was foretold in the book of Isaiah 700 years before his birth. Isaiah 9:6
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He grew up to stand in our place, to buy us back from an eternity separated from God.
His closest disciple John, wrote these words about him.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
In Galatians 4:4–7 the Apostle Paul wrote these words.
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Jesus made us sons of God, fully entitled to share in heaven.
Jesus came so that we might be free
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Scene 4: Our Saviour is Also the King of the Universe
And One Day He Will Return to Rule
Jesus said in Luke 21: 25 - 27
25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.
Will you be ready when Jesus returns?
For he will return, not as the baby in the manger!
But as ruler, master and king.
Will you be on his side, part of his kingdom?
Because that is the ultimate question.
And the great news is that Jesus said that he wants you to be part of his kingdom.
He actually invites you to join him.
In Luke 13:24-25, Jesus speaks of his kingdom being like a banquet hall.
You have an invite, but if you refuse to turn up before the doors are locked and the festivities begin with the invited guests.
Then you will miss out, you will be treated as the riff raff, looking to gate crash the party.
And Jesus’ heavenly security team is faultless.
If you refuse the invite and think you can turn up late you will be excluded.
Likewise, Jesus in Revelation 3:20 speaks of standing at the door to your place and knocking on your door, asking to come in.
He desires to include you in his kingdom.
He want you to open your house, representing your life.
He wants you to invite him in.
But if you keep the door closed, you are saying you reject him.
And in the same way he will not let you into his eternal kingdom.
Who is this Child?
He is the master of the universe,
Saviour, Lord and he desires that you accept his invitation to join him for eternity.
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
[1]Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. 1985. Harper's Bible dictionary. Includes index. (1st ed.). Harper & Row: San Francisco
[2]Wood, D. R. W., Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. 1996, c1982, c1962. New Bible Dictionary. Includes index. (electronic ed. of 3rd ed.) . InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove
