The Christmas Story (Part 2)
Christmas • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 15 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Christmas Story (Part 2)
The Christmas Story (Part 2)
TEXT: ; Matthew 1:18-2:23
Review
I. Birth of John the baptist foretold
NASB95They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
—They were both very “advanced in years” (vs 7)--Zacharias was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense—Angel Gabriel (see verse 19) appeared
NASB95And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.
r five monthsII. Birth of Jesus foretold—Sixth month (Month of Elizabeth’s pregnacy—Gabriel sent to Nazareth
II. Birth of Jesus foretold
(Altar of incense is in the Holy Place, not Holies of Holies)Altar of incense symbolic of the prayers of God’s peopleIncense was to be burning on it always and maintained twice a dayIt was considered holy (, )Only the High priest could perform these duties ()“In the Bible, to be at the right side "is to be identified as being in the special place of honor" Wikipedia—Zacharias petition had been heard, he and Elizabeth will have a son to be named John—John will be the fore-runner of the Messiah—He will be filed with the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb—He will go in the spirit and power of Elijah
NASB95“It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
—Zacharias doubted, Gabriel mutes Zacharias until prophecy fulfilled—Elizabeth becomes pregnant and keeps herself in seclusion for five monthsII. Birth of Jesus foretold—Sixth month (Month of Elizabeth’s pregnacy—Gabriel sent to Nazareth
NASB95to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Engagement: First stage is CovanentThe wife was purchased for a price set by the fatherEngagement: Second Stage was Betrothal Both were legally married but have not become oneHusband would be regarded as son-in-lawEngagement: Third stage is Wedding
Tyndale Bible Dictionary Marriage, Marriage CustomsGenerally, the bride left her parents when she married and went to live with her husband’s clan, as Rebekah did (). The phrase “to marry a wife” is from a root meaning to “become master” (), and the wife frequently treated her husband as, and referred to him as, master.
They were generally not married until they co-inhabited for seven days(That’s why Samson’s marriage was not considered complete ()NOTE: We will be in heaven during the tribulation - 7 years!Joseph was of the lineage of David
NASB95And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
“Coming in” - possibly her home“The Lord is with you” - speaks of God’s grace and Mary’s favor with God
NASB95The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.
“Do not be afraid” Why would Mary fear?Joseph not aroundShe was perplexed
NASB95“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
Could Mary have felt she was about to be raped?
Tyndale Bible Dictionary Marriage, Marriage CustomsIf a bride was found to have committed adultery, the husband was thought to be entitled to a divorce. This was also the case if he even suspected her of infidelity. He could also divorce his wife if he felt that she had violated normal morality, had become apostate, or had been less than efficient in the management of her household. If a woman refused her husband his conjugal rights for a period of at least one year, she could be divorced. Other grounds for divorcing a wife included insulting behavior to a husband or his relatives, contracting an incurable disease, or refusing to accompany her husband when he moved the domicile to a new area.
Adultery is punishable by death ()
NASB95The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
“Come upon” same as in
NASB95but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Gabriel tells Mary of Elizabeth
NASB95“And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.
Possibly to get away from the presumption of adultery
NASB95Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah,
Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit
NASB95When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Mary exalts the LordMary rejoices in humility ()Mary stays about three months - probably until the birth of John
NASB95And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.
III. Birth of the Messiah - Mary’s perspecive
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
Standard Bible Dictionary Augustus Roman emperor Caesar Augustus (43 B.C.—A.D. 14). His great-uncle, Julius Ceasar, named him as heir to the Roman throne.
NASB95Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
Standard Bible Dictionary AugustusRoman emperor Caesar Augustus (43 B.C.—A.D. 14). His great-uncle, Julius Ceasar, named him as heir to the Roman throne.
A census could take up to ten years to complete
This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Quirinius was governor of Syria two times. Between 12-2 BC and beginning about AD 6
NASB95This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
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,
Quirinius was governor of Syria two times. Between 12-2 BC and beginning about AD 6
Why Bethlehem?
NASB95Joseph 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,
He was from the linage of David
Why Bethlehem? He was from the linage of DavidBethlehem probably had about 300 people
Bethlehem probably had about 300 people
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.
Firstborn - suggesting she had others
NASB95And 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.
No room in the inn - mean a guest chamber or lodging place - not a hotel
Firstborn - suggesting she had othersNo room in the inn - mean a guest chamber or lodging place - not a hotelNo mention of an inn-keeper
No mention of an inn-keeper
NASB95In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
IV The Shepherds
Region - outside of Bethlehem
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
An angel - not a multitude - stood before them
NASB95And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
“glory” means very apparent, worship, glorious, praise”
An angel - not a multitude - stood before them“glory” very apparent, worship, glorious, praise”
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;
“Fear not” NOT mentioned 365x in the Bible but about 178
NASB95But 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;
We should not need to hear it 365x
“Fear not” NOT mentioned 365x in the Bible but about 178We should not need to hear it 365xThe good news is for all people and will bring great joy!
The good news is for all people and will bring great joy!
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The baby in wrapped in cloths and in a manger is a sign - suggesting this is not the norm
NASB95“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
The baby in wrapped in cloths and in a manger is a sign - suggesting this is not the norm
Multitude of angels - praising (not singing) God
NASB95And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
NASB95And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
God is praised for sending his son
Multitude of angels - praising (not singing) God-God is praised for sending his son-Man gets peace for receiving his son
Man gets peace for receiving his son
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.”
So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
“go to Bethlehem” - they were outside of it
NASB95When 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.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
“they came in a hurry” - A small town, not many babies
“go to Bethlehem” - they were outside of it “they came in a hurry” - A small town, not many babies“Manger” - specifies the location - probably a cave
“Manger” - specifies the location - probably a cave
When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
NASB95When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
“Made known the statement” - proclaimed the Messiah
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
“Made known the statement” - proclaimed the Messiah
Mary treasured and pondered
NASB95But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke emphasizes Mary’s perspective, Matthew Joseph’s
Mary treasured and ponderedLuke emphasizes Mary’s perspective, Matthew Joseph’s
The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Are we giving glory to God for His precious gift to us
NASB95The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
V The Birth of the Messiah - Joseph’s Perspective
Are we giving glory to God for His precious gift to us
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
“Betrothed” to Joseph - Legally married by not consummated.
First stage: Engagement, Second stage: Betrothal, third stage: Wedding
They were not living together - Remember, 7 days of living together means married
“Before they came together” reinforces this
Adultery was punishable by death ()
It took great faith for Joseph to believe Mary’s story due to “circumstantial evidence”
Would you have believed it?
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
Mat
“Her husband” - legally
“Righteous” - just (KJV) observing divine laws, keeping the commands of God, innocent, faultless, guiltless
“Not wanting to disgrace her” - This speaks of his love for her
He sought, therefore, secretly to dissolve the connection, and to restore her to her friends without the punishment commonly inflicted on adultery. (Barnes)
Yet Joseph had a legal obligation because of his righteousness (appearance)
The alternatives were:
1. Exposure by public repudiation, (to judicial procedure with its penalty, death by stoning.)
2 Quiet cancelling of the bond of betrothal (Expositor’s Greek NT)
The husband had the power of divorce
3. The Greek suggest a lot of thought was put into this.
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Joseph did not act hastely
The angel was probably Gabriel, but not known for sure
The angel reaffirms to Joseph Mary’s story
Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
Matthew uses a lot of OT quotations to reinforce the messiahship of Jesus. Why? Because Matthews was written primarily for the Jews
Other OT prophecies concerning the birth of Christ Jesus
mic
Messiah would be born of a virgin
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah
“The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes,
And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
Messiah would spend a season in Egypt
When Israel was a youth I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.
A massacre of children would happen at Messiah’s birthplace
Thus says the Lord,
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
Lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
She refuses to be comforted for her children,
Because they are no more.”
A messenger would prepare the way for Messiah
A voice is calling,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
“Let every valley be lifted up,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged terrain a broad valley;
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
And all flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:
Messiah would be born in Bethlehem
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.”
And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife,
Obedience is a strong characteristic of a righteous man
“took Mary as his wife” - third stage of engagement
VI The visit of the Magi
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Herod the king” - He was appointed by the Roman senate as “King of the Jews”
He was known for great building projects including the 2nd Temple and Masada
He was from the Linage of the Maccabeans
He was responsible for the murder of the male children in Bethlehem and surrounding areas
Herod died in Jericho, after an excruciatingly painful, putrefying illness of uncertain cause, known to posterity as "Herod's Evil". Josephus states that the pain of his illness led Herod to attempt suicide by stabbing, and that the attempt was thwarted by his cousin. (Wikipedia)
NOTE: “After Jesus was born” - Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem for up to two years after his birth
The Magi was not there at the birth of Christ
Who were the Magi? - some say Astrologers, magicians, fortunetellers
Because of the Diaspora of the Hebrews in preceding centuries, it seems more likely that these men were descendants of Israelites or Jews exiled from the land of Israel, sent to recognize the birth of a scion of the line of David. (cgg.org)
“East” - East of Jerusalem
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Herod was appointed “King of the Jews” - This would have naturally concerned him
“Star in the east” -
How would Persian magi know about the Jewish Messiah? Undoubtedly, they would have been exposed to the writings of the Jewish prophet Daniel, who had been the chief of the court seers in Persia. is a prophecy that gives a timeline for the birth of the Messiah. Also, they may have been aware of the words of the pagan prophet Balaam (who was from the town of Pethor on the Euphrates River near Persia) in . Balaam’s prophecy specifically mentions “a star” and “a scepter” rising out of Jacob.
Tradition says the Magi were from Daniel’s wise men
Daniel is mentioned as “Chief of the Magicians (Magi)
‘O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, since I know that a spirit of the holy gods is in you and no mystery baffles you, tell me the visions of my dream which I have seen, along with its interpretation.
Who were the Magi?
Who were the Magi?
By the 3rd century they were viewed as kings. By the 6th century they had names: Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa. A 14th century Armenian tradition identifies them as Balthasar, King of Arabia; Melchior, King of Persia; and Gasper, King of India. (khouse.org)
Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
NOTE: The chief priest knew of the messianic prophecies
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
The star appeared at Jesus’ birth and shined for several years (time it took for Magi to travel)
After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
The star “went on before them” - It moved in an unusual pattern
The star first went to Jerusalem and the Magi thus asked Herod were the king was born. When there was no birth, they searched the scriptures (via the priests) and discovered it was to be in Bethlehem. Apparently, they did not have all the Scriptures available to research this themselves
Some say the star was a combination of the planets or a bright star that had exploded or a meteor. It was not! It moved when the Magi moved and directed them to the Messiah.
Jesus was a child. says he was a baby. This would mean it was some time after his birth.
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
“House” - not a stable. Suggests Joseph and Mary had made a home in Bethlehem
The gifts:
The gifts:
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were also prophetic, speaking of our Lord's offices of king, priest, and savior. Gold speaks of His kingship; frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; and myrrh was an embalming ointment anticipating His death.
Tradition says the the gifts were from Daniel
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
The Magi were warned by God! - Why?
To protect the Christ child
Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
VII The flight to Egypt
Joseph was warned in a dream - Why?
To protect the Christ child.
At this time, he had the gold which would probably been used for the trip to Egypt
Why Egypt? In typology, Egypt is a picture of the world. Jesus came to the world for us.
“and remain there” - means that Joseph should expect another angelic appearance
So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.
Joseph obeyed - speaks of his righteousness and faith
Traveling at night was dangerous but he trusted God
He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Death of Herod - about 4 BC
Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.
All male children 2 years and under
In Bethlehem and its vicinity
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said,
“Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”
But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said,
Notice he said “Land of Israel” not back to Bethlehem
Matthew
Angel appears to Joseph
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee,
Warned by God again - the fourth dream
Moved to Nazareth and fulfills scripture.
Explanation of Nazareth
First, Matthew does not say 'prophet,' singular. He says 'prophets,' plural. It could be that Matthew was referring to several Old Testament references to the despised character of Jesus (i.e., , ; ; ; ; ). Nazareth held the Roman garrison for the northern areas of Galilee.1 Therefore, the Jews would have little to do with this place and largely despised it. Perhaps this is why it says in , "And Nathanael said to him, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'" So, it could be a reference not to an actual location, but the maligned character of the Messiah even as Nazareth was maligned for housing the Roman garrison, and Matthew was using it in reference to the implied hatred of Christ.
Second, there could be a play on words that Matthew was referring to. In it says, "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit." In Hebrew, the word for "branch" is netzer, "NZR" which letters are included in NaZaReth. It seems that Matthew was referring to the branch, the Nazarene, in turn a reference to God's raising up of the Messiah. Clearly, Matthew was not exegeting Isaiah, but it seems he was referring to the Branch. (Carm.org)