week 4 - hope

The hope of Jesus is available right where you are

Luke 2:1–7 NASB 95

1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 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 engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The greatest birth story ever told begins with a census that will raise taxes for every person under Roman rule. Verse 3 tells us each person had to register in the city of their family line. For Joseph and Mary, that meant travelling to Bethlehem because David was the origin of their family. Both were to be present because both were required to pay taxes.

We don’t know how long Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem prior to Jesus being born. We can assume Mary’s pregnancy was a trending topic for gossip in Nazareth. We know that Mary was pregnant when they travelled 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. We know they were contractually married, but not yet relationally married and were living like an engaged couple. Many details needed to align for Joseph and Mary to be in Bethlehem when the days were completed. While the expenses of a new baby and higher taxes could be overwhelming, they remained hopeful in God’s promises to them.

How many details were the concern of Joseph and Mary? Just one. They had to be in Bethlehem. According to Micah 5:2, the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. The rest of it was God’s concern. Joseph and Mary had a hopeful trust that God would carry the load.

Look at verse 6 - “While they were there, the days were completed.” Yes, Mary went into labor. Yes, the Lord had everything ready according to prophecy. God had been filling their lives with hope through nine months of abnormal life, but Joseph and Mary had to be fully present. They experienced God’s hope right where they were.

Would agree that Joseph and Mary were special people? They raised Jesus. Mary kissed his knee before putting a bandage on it. Joseph taught him how to build his first chair. They experienced all of the parenting firsts that you and I experience.

In the all details of their lives, their one concern was to be fully present in Bethlehem so they could see of hope of Jesus around them. I offer to you, this morning, if you’re searching for a little more hope in life, be fully present and trust that God will carry whatever load you need him to carry. When we do that, hope in Jesus is found.

Let’s move on to verse 8 because we need the assurance that the hope of Jesus isn’t just for special times and special places, but also for the days that are ordinary and routine.

The hope of Jesus is revealed to ordinary people and accelerates praise

Luke 2:8–14 NASB 95

8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 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; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared 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 men with whom He is pleased.”

Raising sheep was not a coveted career path. In verse 8, the shepherds were working an entry-level 3rd shift job on commission. They didn’t clock out at sunrise and go home. Their livelihood depended on what happened with the sheep. It was hard work. People generally didn’t believe what they said. Shepherds had an awkward, hopeless, always working, never getting ahead job. Most days were ordinary, routine days at work because they were “just shepherds.”

About a year ago, a guy randomly came to church on a Sunday morning. We were talking after the service, he seemed interested in church. I asked him about his job. He said, “I just work at McDonalds.” It’s always bothers me a bit when people disrespect their own job. I told him, “You never know how McDonalds will shape your future. Can I show you something?” We went into my office. “Once upon a time I ‘just worked at McDonalds’, but God shaped so much of my life in those years.”

Some of you work in retail, some of you work in hospitality, some of you work on commission, some of you are educators, some of you wish your job was routine, some of you are retired and have very ordinary days. Like the shepherds, all of us can get stuck in the ordinary and routine with no way out.

Not tonight. This night just became a very unordinary night at work. Look at verse 9. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Whatever the appearance of an angel looks like, they were surprised and a little scared. The message of good news was joyful and they had the privilege of delivering it to anybody that would listen. The significance? Shepherds were the least expected group to ever hear from the Lord and they took advantage of the moment.

Then, there was a joyful heavenly musical that gave glory to God and declared peace. The ordinary shepherds experienced the hope of Jesus that night in a field without being at a temple or being around any other church people. Being fully present in their ordinary job provided an opportunity for the hope of Jesus to crash their day and change their life.

The hope of Jesus changes our thoughts and actions

Luke 2:15–20 NASB 95

15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Walking toward what God had revealed made sense. However, they were not irresponsible in how they went to Bethlehem. Their lives would not allow them to chaotically drop everything and leave. They were shepherds. Since sheep need constant care, they had to make arrangements. They didn’t disengage in life because they were trying to figure out what God had revealed. They called a substitute shepherd, went to Bethlehem to see what God had revealed, and they returned.

Verse 16 says they went with haste. Because the hope of Jesus changed their thoughts and actions, the shepherds were expeditious in the process of discovering what the Lord had revealed. They didn’t procrastinate about sharing the message given to them by the angels. Lives were changed through the hope of Jesus.

Look at verse 20. The shepherds returned to their job with a changed spirit, a renewed humility, and a refreshed mission because they were glorifying and praising God for all they heard and seen.

I love verse 19. Tucked in the middle of the entire story is a young new mom. Mary soaked in all of it and was changed forever.

What about us? What does this Christmas story mean for you and me?

The hope of Jesus Christ is available to you and will cover the details of anything you brought into this room. Joseph and Mary had a hopeful trust that God would carry the load that wasn’t meant for them to carry. They remained hopeful in God’s promises.

The hope of Jesus should always accelerate praise and glorifying God.

The hope of Jesus changes us from the inside out and in a way that is not chaotic or irresponsible. It keeps us engaged in discovering more of what the Lord has revealed to us through the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The hope of Jesus Christ is revealed to you when you accept Jesus as your personal Savior. The Christmas season is a great opportunity to trust Jesus and accept him as your Savior.