Easter: "Jesus - born to die ..."

Easter 2017 Sermon Series

March 12: Jesus born in Bethlehem

Remembering who God is ...

Prayer of illumination: Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.

Today we consider the birth of Jesus, as the start of that set of circumstances which we now, popularly call Easter!

And throughout this series I hope you will realise

that the accounts that we will read in the Bible,

reflect the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

of the events - that led to our eternal salvation!

All about real people, in real, historical time, participants in real events ...

((next slide))

Lk.2: 1-2

Luke 2:1–2 NIV

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

As we continue, for the sake of our finding the meaning of this passage in Luke,

as far as the when is concerned, let us be satisfied that the events that Luke described here,

takes place close to - but before - the year 4BC- Why?

Because that was the year Christ was born!

So … Real People! Taking part in real events … (verse 3! “And everyone went to his own town to register!”)

And it happens in real places!

In the next verse, as we go through this passage verse by verse,

we meet two new people in this account: Joseph and Mary! Verse 4: ((**))!

Lk. 2: 4

Luke 2:4 NIV

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

(Point our Nazareth and Bethlehem!)

((**))!

Modern Nazareth

Now , if you were a Jew living in the times that Luke wrote this account,

and you read (or hear the story) that in the time of Augustus Caesar

a God fearing couple made a most extraordinary trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem

your attention would be tweaked!

Hearing that, would be the same as us hearing today, that all on the same day,

the Third World War has broken out,

that earthquakes had destroyed large parts of New Zealand

and that a Tsunami had killed a quarter million people!

As Christians, it should remind us that these are signs that the end is near, but yet to come:

Because in Matthew 24: 6, we read: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

That would have been the effect on God-fearing Jews,

when they heard that Joseph and Mary had traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem

- and that Mary was pregnant and would probably have her baby in Bethlehem!

Why?

Because of a Scripture they new well (as well as we should know Matthew 24:6!):

Micah 5: 2

Micah 5:2 HCSB

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.

Can you see?

You can picture a discussion in a God-fearing, believing home

somewhere there in the Middle East, as they heard for the first time this story Luke has written:

(They must be thinking: Could this be the one we have been expecting?

Will our Messiah, our Saviour, finally be born

and grow up to come and save us from this yolk of humiliation and suffering

under the Romans?)

"You know, papa, now that you mention that prophecy of Micah … do you remember the words Isaiah the Prophet spoke - ach it is in the scroll…) Grandfather! what is that verse again … you know, the prophecy of Isaiah … something about a virgin who will have a child … ?

Husband … could it be that Mary was a virgin on that journey?

BUT HOW CAN THAT BE?

But what if it’s true …?

THAT WOULD EXPLAIN SO MUCH THAT JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND THEY SAY HE CAME OUT OF THE GRAVE ALIVE!!!

What was those words again, Grandpa?

You see, the words prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah, is this:

Is. 7 13-14

Isaiah 7:13–14 NIV

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

And so, i am sure, the Jews who were alive in those days, pondered these things and started to understand, more and more ...

(And here in Roseville this morning, friends … are you starting to ponder it all …

see what it all means?

You will … be patient … you will …!

Ponder these things … i use that word on purpose …

PONDER these things, when you wake up, when you go to sleep, all the days of your life ...

But back to our passage … verse by verse:

Still verse 4: (and if you read closely, you will soon see that the subliminal story here is a story about three kings!

The story of Three Kings

Lk. 2: 4

Luke 2:4 NIV

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

This Joseph, it turns out, was royalty! He was not a king, but he has the right lineage!

And this Joseph - and His wife - Mary, were expecting a baby … Would He be the King?

Probably not!

Whoever was going to be the Saviour of Israel, would have to be a mighty prince first, surely! His father would have to be a King - obviously!

No ordinary nincompoop would be able to stand up to the might of the Emperor?!

Augustus was a king! Almost a god!

So it would take a King more powerful than Augustus - as if that was even possible?!

And yet, B&S ...

Enter exactly such a King: Jesus, the baby born that night in Bethlehem,

just like the prophets said He would be born,

and He … was … a mighty Warrior (remember our Deuteronomy passages?)!

“But … Still .... (I don’t know …)”

This baby? A King?

After all … No royal announcement? No trumpet fanfare?! No joy-march through the city … in fact

This baby - if he was to be king one day -

was not even born in the city of kings, Jerusalem?!

And even having been born in in Bethlehem … lowly, insignificant Bethlehem …

- and even there they hardly gave Joseph and Mary the time of day:

(everyone just rushed them on, making them out to be almost a nuisance, it seems)!

“There is no room in this hotel!” “Yes, Yes, I see your wife is pregnant …

but we are full!

“Try further down the street ...”

(And you can almost here the door slammed in their faces!)

A bit like today … no? When last did you mention Jesus’ names to friends or strangers when the opportunity arose?

And then, at least, finally … after that long, arduous journey:

“Look, we have no spare rooms or beds ...

Best I can do for you, is offer you to take shelter in the stable: take it or leave it!

(PROCLAIM SLIDE STABLE)

1. Caeser Augustus!

(Meanwhile, back in Rome, (Proclaim Slide! palace)

in the Palace, Augustus is awaiting the census figures …)

He has had it with this bunch of tax-evading Jews …)

“Drusilla, bring me another amphora of that wine from France …

“Have we had word yet of General Tiberius on the war front?) We’ll show those barbarians who I am! I am Caesar Augustus! The most revered King of the world!”

<Please if you will, imagine a dramatic voiceover at this point …>

“Well, actually … Augustus - you are not the king of the world!

2. GOD Almighty!

The real King of the World is He who decreed … that you would decree!

Before you were born, He foresaw this day, and all of History!

Also the History which had you as a player from before time began - His Name is “I Am!

He is the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob - and with them he decreed that He would be their King - and they HIS subjects!”

3. Jesus!

But still, … we might ask:

Could someone as lowly as a baby, unannounced into this world, born in a stable no less; born in Bethlehem, no less - be in any way a king?

No fanfare?

No royal announcement?

Turn to Scripture, friends, and let’s see what God’s Word says about all of this:

Lk. 2: 8-9

Luke 2:8–9 NIV

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

No announcement?

Luke 2:11 ESV

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

No earthly king ever had such a royal announcement as the Baby Jesus!

A heavenly being … and angel - the messenger of God Himself

- was sent to announce Jesus’ birth!

And as the angel did so, we see that the Glory of the Lord shone around him!

The glory of the Lord, a glow so bright it threatens to blind you!

What would their reaction be?

The shepherds?

… and they were terrified

There they were, shepherds guarding their sheep against wild animals, against thieves

and an angel of the Lord brings to THEM!

the good news that their saving King had been born!

No wonder the shepherds are terrified! (verse 9!)

Israel knew all about the purity and all devouring magnificence of the Glory of God:

Remember, their at the foot of Mount Sinai,

when God’s glory threatened to overwhelm them?

Because He is holy - and we are not - and so anything but the purest of the pure will wither and die and become dust in the wind when it comes into the presence of God’s glory!

And so we may see glimpses of God’s glory, on a secondary level!

Like here again - the angel shone with God’s glory!

It is glory by proxy, you see! (like described in that hymn (“He hideth my soul”)

But they were soon comforted!

You see, they knew who the true Ruler of the World Is;

they know that it is God who commands angels, and sends them with a message!

They know that it is God who decrees when even an emperor will decree a census, so that the promises of God will be fulfilled - it is History that fills in the blanks for us!

They knew, and now they knew even better!

yet a little earlier, on that very night, as the angel appeared, they were afraid.

Of course they were.

Wouldn’t you be?

And yet, they stopped being afraid!

Why?

Because the same angel God sent to tell them, tell us... about the birth of Jesus ...

brought a message from God: the message of the Bible, no less! The Gospel truth:

Luke 2:10–11 NIV

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

And then !

Luke 2:13–14 NIV

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

And the Shepherds are left to ponder this - but they are not quite so afraid anymore!

And now they have work to do: they must go see … and then tell!

(Verse 15)

Luke 2:15 NIV

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary! (Verse 16) and they were overjoyed! And they couldn’t help telling people this good news:

Luke 2:18 NIV

and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Joseph?

By the way: Joseph must have wondered about this, he must have pondered this?

Didn’t an angel tell him that the Son to whom Mary would give birth, would be the Saviour of the world?

Joseph was pondering all of this, no doubt!

But it is our pondering we should concern ourselves with this morning!

Conclusion:-

And now, friends, as we are about to part ways again this morning, I ask that we linger just a little longer at the scene of that stable - as we too, ponder these things: Picture it ...

See…? There she is… Mary, look, she has the baby in her arms …tears in her eyes ... she seems filled with love … protective, compassionate … Who is this baby?

Have you worked it out for yourself? Have you pondered it all?

Mary’s reaction ...

Yes, this helpless baby, born in a stable, in a crib for animal fodder

He is the King of this world - and the next!

It was of Him that the angel spoke when he came to visit Mary some nine plus months ago:

Matthew 1: 21

Matthew 1:21 NIV

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Mary is the “she” in that passage! And of her we read:

And we read:

Luke 2:19 NIV

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

I wonder what she was thinking?

One can imagine … probably quite accurately, but we are not told!

But it is as the Gospel story unfolds and starts to make sense to us,

that we confidently come to realise all the things Mary could have pondered

- and they all touch us directly!

And you and I, B&S? Are you pondering these things?

Are you pondering all that has happened, throughout history, according to the Prophets and Scripture?

Mary must have pondered these things!

Have you?

Soon, it will be Easter - will you be pondering the Easter events in the days to come?

Mary would have!

She must have pondered the words of the angel whom God sent to tell her that she - a virgin - would be the mother of Jesus!

Surely she pondered Jesus’ words as a young boy, when He said to her: Don’t you know I am supposed to be in my Father’s house?

She must have pondered what it meant when Jesus turned water into wine!

And above all, her Soul pierced, her heart broken,

sobbing, she must pondered what it meant as she saw Jesus beaten and bruised,

a broken reed, a slaughtered lamb, nailed to a Cross!

I do believe that as she pondered all these things, in the moment of her greatest anguish

her feeling of utmost helplessness, she remembered what the angel had said to her when he first visited her to announce she would be Jesus’ mother:

And your reaction?

“Do not be afraid!”

Luke 1:29–30 ESV

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Mary pondered these things in her heart -

and although she must have been o so sad - I do believe she was not afraid!

Ponder these things, B&S, friends ...

Ponder these things!

(And don’t be afraid, Our God will never forget those who put their trust in Him!)

Amen