SF115 - The Way in a Manger (John 14 6)
John 14:6
INTRODUCTION
AWAY IN A MANGER
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; the stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
John 14:6 (NKJ) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
What does the scripture mean when they tell us that Jesus is the way? How was and is Jesus the way?
The events and personalities that are involved in the story of the Lord’s birth provide an excellent answer to this question. Through each set of characters the Lord communicates His grace to us.
We will examine the angels, who proclaimed, the shepherds who came, the wise men who journeyed, and Mary and Joseph who trusted.
1A. The Angels Tell Us That Jesus is the Way of Peace (Luke 2:10‑14)
The angels proclaimed the coming of peace, the meaning of the Greek word is rooted in the Jewish word “shalom.” The peace promised here is more than and end of battle or conflict. It carries the idea of well being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness.
1B. Jesus is the Way of Peace with God
“We bring you good news,” “euaggelizo;” which means to announce good news, to evangelize, to proclaim the gospel.
We who have been separated by our sin from God can be reconciled with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:19 …God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
2B. Jesus is the Way of Peace with others
This news of peace was “great news,” exceedingly great news.
Ø Because it was the news that sinful man could finally be reconciled with holy God.
Ø Because it was news the sinful men could be reconciled with one another.
3B. Jesus is the Way to Peace with yourself
“There has been born for you a Savior.” (2:11)
Ø One who by His grace will set you free from the bondage of sin and self.
Ø One who will make you right with God, your fellow man and yourself?
We desperately need a Savior. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
2A. The Shepherds Tell Us That He is the Way of Hope (Luke 2:8, 15‑17)
1B. Jesus brought Hope to the hopeless (Luke 2:8-9)
The hopelessness of the shepherds was demonstrated by who they were.
Ø They were outcasts - the “scum of the earth.”
The hopelessness of the shepherds was demonstrated by what they did.
Ø They were not allowed to worship in the Temple.
Ø Although they were given the responsibility to care for the lambs that would be sacrificed for sins, there was no sacrifice for their sins.
Hebrews 9:11-12
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2B. Jesus will bring Hope to all that come to Him. (Luke 2:15-16)
The shepherds came without debate (Luke 2:15).
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The shepherds came without delay (Luke 2:16).
2 Corinthians 6:2 …”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3B. The Hope that Jesus brings must be shared. (Luke 2:17)
Good news is meant to be shared.
3A. The Magi Tell Us That He is the Way of Truth (Matthew 2:1‑2, 10‑11)
1B. These men were seekers of Truth. (Matthew 2:1)
They had sought truth through education and entertainment. They had sought truth through science and society. They had sought truth through religion and rituals. But had come away empty each time. These men were seekers of truth.
The real truth is not a concept to be learned or a formula to be memorized, real truth is not something, real truth is some one (John 14:6). And that someone is Jesus Christ our Lord.
2B. These men left everything to find the Truth. (Matthew 2:2)
They left their homes and old way of life to come to Christ.
In much the same way you must leave your old life dominated by sin and self and come to the light of His truth.
3B. These men responded correctly when they encountered the Truth. (Matthew 2:10‑11)
First, we notice their praise (2:10).
Ø The star was God’s means of guiding them to the Savior. Today God uses His Word to guide us to the Savior.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Second, we notice their posture (2:11a).
Ø When they came into the presence of Christ they fell down in worship.
Finally, we notice their presents (2:11b).
Ø The gold was in recognition of His sovereignty
Ø The frankincense was in recognition of His deity.
Ø The fact that myrrh was employed in the embalming of the dead may have prefigured His atoning death.
4A. Mary and Joseph Tell Us That He is the Way of Life (LUKE 2:1‑7)
1B. Jesus is the Way to a Full and Meaningful Life right now
John 10:10 .…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
2B. Jesus is the Way to Eternal Life in Heaven
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Ø Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven.
3B. Jesus is the Way to Life for all who receive Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
APPLICATION
AWAY IN A MANGER
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray; bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
Christ is the way of peace, the way of hope, the way of truth and the way of life.
Today, by the power of His word and His grace He will “fit you for heaven.” Respond to the Spirit’s call and His offer of grace.
John 14:6
1A. The Angels Tell Us That Jesus is the Way of Peace (Luke 2:10-14)
1B. Jesus is the Way of Peace with ____________
We who have been separated by our sin from God can be reconciled with Him. (2 Corinthians 5:19; Isaiah 1:18)
2B. Jesus is the Way of Peace with ____________
This news of peace was “great news,” exceedingly great news.
3B. Jesus is the Way to Peace with ____________
“There has been born for you a Savior.”
We desperately need a Savior. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
2A. The Shepherds Tell Us That He is the Way of Hope (Luke 2:8, 15‑17)
1B. Jesus brought Hope to the ________________ (Luke 2:8-9)
The hopelessness of the shepherds was demonstrated by who they were.
The hopelessness of the shepherds was demonstrated by what they did. (Hebrews 9:11-12; James 4:8; Matthew 11:28)
2B. Jesus will bring Hope to all that ___________ to Him. (Luke 2:15-16)
The shepherds came without debate (Luke 2:15; Revelation 22:17)
The shepherds came without delay (Luke 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2)
3B. The Hope that Jesus brings must be _________________. (Luke 2:17)
3A. The Magi Tell Us That He is the Way of Truth (Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11)
1B. These men were ________________ of Truth. (Matthew 2:1)
2B. These men left everything to ___________ the Truth. (Matthew 2:2)
3B. These men responded correctly when they encountered the Truth. (Matthew 2:10-11)
First, we notice their praise (2:10; Romans 1:16).
Second, we notice their posture (2:11a).
Finally, we notice their presents (2:11b).
Ø The gold was in recognition of His sovereignty
Ø The frankincense was in recognition of His deity.
Ø The fact that myrrh was employed in the embalming of the dead may have prefigured His atoning death.
4A. Mary and Joseph Tell Us That He is the Way of Life (LUKE 2:1-7)
1B. Jesus is the Way to a _________________ and Meaningful Life right now (John 10:10)
2B. Jesus is the Way to ________________ Life in Heaven (John 14:3)
3B. Jesus is the Way to Life for all who receive Him. (John 1:12; Luke 1:38; Romans 10:9-10)