sf115m - The Way in a Manger (John 14 6)
THE WAY IN A MANGER
The Reason For The Season Part 3
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 (NKJV) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. What does the scriptures 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)
Luke 2:10 through Luke 2:14 (NASB) 10But 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; 11for 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.” 13And 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.”
The angels proclaimed the coming of peace, the meaning of the Greek here 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. It is a peace that has more to do with character than circumstances.
1B. Jesus is the Way of Peace with God
The angels said, “we bring you good news.” The Greek word here is “euaggelizo,” which means to announce good news, to evangelize, to proclaim. the gospel. The good news is that we who have been at war with God since birth can be at peace with Him through the babe born in the manger.
We who have been separated by our sin from God can be reconciled with Him. 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB) 19…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Through Christ’s sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection the way of reconciliation has be made. By His Spirit and through His Word He calls us to be reconciled. Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV) 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. It was great because it was the news that sinful man could finally be reconciled with holy God. It was great news because it was news the sinful men could be reconciled with one another. It was great news that would bring great “joy or gladness.”
What greater joy could we have this Christmas and each day of the year than to know that we are made right with God and our fellowman. I have great news today. You can be a peace with your spouse. I have great news today, you can be at peace with your children. I have great news today, you can be at peace with your neighbors, co-workers, and fellow church members. The babe born in the manger has brought peace and that brings great joy.
3B. Jesus is the Way to Peace with Yourself
“There has been born for you a Savior.” “Born for you a Savior,” a deliverer, one who will redeem you from your sins and reconcile you with God. One who will by His Spirit will bring to you the work of regeneration, new life. One who by His grace will set you free from the bondage of sin and self. One who will make you right with God, your fellow man and yourself. A Savior is born.
We desperately need a Savior. The Scriptures tell us that were are “dead in (our) trespasses and sins.” We are lost without Christ. We are sheep without a shepherd and are doomed to certain death and destruction. Jesus brings peace, well being to every aspect of life. He is our Savior!
2A. THE SHEPHERDS TELL US: THAT HE IS THE WAY OF HOPE (Luke 2:8,15‑17)
Luke 2:8, 15-17 (NASB) 8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 15When 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.” 16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
1B. Jesus brought Hope to the Hopeless (Luke 2:8-9)
Luke 2:8-9 (NASB) 8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
The hopelessness of the shepherd is demonstrated by where they were. They were outside the city. They were separated from everyone else. They were outcasts, in fact the cultured people of that day called them the “scum of the earth.”
The hopelessness of the shepherds is demonstrated by what they did. They carried for sheep. They were considered unclean by the religious community. They were not allowed to worship in the Temple. They were sinners. Although they were given the responsibility to care for the lambs that would be sacrificed for sins, there was no sacrifice for their sins.
Not until this night, not until this child was born. For the Scriptures declare concerning His death, Hebrews 9:11-12 (NKJV) 11But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
I have good news today. You who are hopeless take hope for Christ is born and He is the hope of the World. Your sin may have taken you far from God but He has declared in James 4:8 (NKJV) 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. To you who are burdened down by the weight of your sin He declares in Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) 28Come 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)
Luke 2:15-16 (NASB) 15When 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.” 16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
The shepherds came without debate (Luke 2:15). They did not argue with God or each other. They simply obey God’s bidding, they went “straight to Bethlehem.” When God’s Spirit in grace calls us to come to Him in repentance and faith our response without exception is to come “straight” to Him. Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) 17And 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). They did not tarry in the fields with those lambs who could never take away their sins they hurried to see the babe who came to “save His people from their sins.” They came without delay for they realized that this baby was the promised Messiah. Paul writes of the urgency of salvation in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV) 2For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. ”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Today it is God’s Spirit that assures your heart of the hope that only Jesus can bring. Obey the call of His Spirit.
3B. The Hope that Jesus brings must be shared. (Luke 2:17)
Once you have received the hope that comes through faith in Christ Jesus, you will desire to share it with others. The good news is meant to be shared. If you receive good news your first response is to tell someone. When you have experienced the new birth you will want to share the good news of the gospel.
3A. THE MAGI TELL US: THAT HE IS THE WAY OF TRUTH (Matthew 2:1‑2, 10‑11)
Matthew 2:1, 10-11 (NKJV) 1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem… 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
1B. These men were seekers of Truth. (Matthew 2:1)
They were called magi or wise men. They were oriental scientists who had committed their entire lives to discovering truth. 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.
Many here today have sought truth through education and entertainment; through science and society; through religion and rituals and like the Wise Men you have come away empty. Because 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)
We do not know how far they traveled we simply know they left their homes and old way of life to come to Christ. They could not remain where they were and come into the presence of deity. They had to undergo a transformation. They had to leave the place of their sin and self-centered life and come to a new place, a strange and unknown place. A place where grace provided all they needed and satisfied their deepest desires.
In much the same you must leave your old life dominated by sin and self and come to the light of His truth. You must set aside what you have for what only He can give. You must come in brokenness and repentance if you hope to experience the power and presence to the Lord.
3B. These men responded correctly when they encountered the Truth. (Matthew 2:10‑11)
First, we notice their praise (2:10). They rejoiced when they saw the star. The star was God’s means of guiding them to the Savior. Today God uses His Word to guide us to the Savior. We should praise the Lord each time the Word is taught or preached. Romans 1:16 (NKJV) 16For 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). When they came into the presence of Christ they fell down in worship. Today we have been brought into the presence to the Lord by His Word, what is your response?
Finally, we notice their presents (2:11b). “They brought the best they had. The gold was in recognition of His sovereignty; the frankincense was in recognition of His deity. Frankincense was that which the priests used in offerings made to God. The myrrh was the recognition of His humanity. The fact that myrrh was employed in the embalming of the dead may have prefigured His atoning death. They had found the Christ, and His sovereignty had claimed their allegiance, His deity had commanded their reverence, and His humanity had compelled their acceptance. Their hearts were full of joy and gladness.” (Olford)
4A. MARY AND JOSEPH TELL US: THAT HE IS THE WAY OF LIFE (LUKE 2:1‑7)
Luke 2:1 through Luke 2:7 (NASB) 1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4Joseph 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, 5in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7And 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.
1B. Jesus is the Way to a Full and Meaningful Life right now
Jesus said, (John 10:10 NKJV) 10.…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Jesus came to give us a life worth living. He came to give us an abundant life, life overflowing.
When I was young I liked to drink Pepsi cola. On hot day I like to place a Pepsi in the freezer compartment of our refrigerator. I would leave it in there long enough for ice to begin to form inside the bottle. Then when I came in all hot and sweaty I would take it out and open it. Without fail that Pepsi would overflow sending that cold refreshment into my mouth. That is what new life is Christ is like, it is an overflowing life.
2B. Jesus is the Way to Eternal Life in Heaven
John 14:3 (NKJV) 3And 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. 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 (NKJV) 12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. To receive Him means that we come to Him in repentance and faith. Luke 1:38 (NKJV) 38Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” We must come in complete surrender and faith to the Lord.
Paul expressed it in these words, Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 9that 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. 10For 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 Spirits call and His offer of grace.