STUDY THEME: CELEBRATING JESUS BIRTH. 12-16-01

“THE PERSON OF CHRISTMAS.” LUKE 1-20.

LUKE 2: 1-3, 4-7, 8-14, 15-20.

PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO LUKE 2.

In December we have looked at “The Message of Christmas”; “The Hope of Christmas; and today we come to “The Person of Christmas.” The message of Christmas is stated in Gal. 4:4-5. Paul wrote “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” The “Hope of Christmas” as written by Isaiah is quoted by Paul in Rom. 15: 12 “There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust.”

In today’s lesson we focus on the One whose birthday we celebrate this Christmas season: Jesus Himself. In a sense, this is the pivotal lesson in this series we are considering during December, for we would not have the “Message of Christmas”, and “The Hope of Christmas”, and “The Love of Christmas”, if it were not for the PERSON of Christmas.

1. PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 1-3

This portion of Scripture is one of the most familiar in the Bible. We begin by pointing out some of the things we may not have noticed before.

First, note Luke’s masterful geographical organization. He began the account of Jesus’ birth wit a decree from the great Emperor Caesar Augustus, great nephew, adopted son, and primary heir to Julius Caesar. Caius Octavius, who was declared first Emperor of Rome in 29 BC took the name Caesar by courtesy and by adoption. Two years later the senate honored him with the title Augustus, or “the exalted one,” signifying religious veneration. He was moving towards that which eventually happened, the claim of deity on the part of the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire. The Roman Republic has passed away, and in its place had emerged the Roman Empire, under Augustus Caesar. That was the darkest hour the world had ever seen.

In a period of great prosperity and relative peace (the Pax Romana), he ordered all of the Roman Empire to be registered. And soon the statistics gathered in this census were used for the levying of poll taxes and discerning those who were liable for compulsory military service. While this was the first Roman census, the practice would be continued every 14 years thereafter.

Publius Quirinus (Kwih-RIN-uhs) was governing Syria and Herod the Great was king in Judea. Luke’s readers, familiar with the political history of that era, would no doubt have been able to discern a very precise date from the information he gave. Luke wrote his Gospel so readers would have historical certainty about the events of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection. Luke 1-2 is one of only two biblical accounts of Jesus birth. Matthew wrote the other.

2. PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 4-7

Joseph went to be registered in Bethlehem, some 80 to 90 miles from Nazareth and some 5 miles south of Jerusalem. He went there because he was of the house and lineage of David. Luke does not tell us why Mary accompanied Joseph in her condition. He used the phrase “pledged to be married” because although they were properly wed, the couple did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus was born. Matt. 1:25 says “And he knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son.” Luke strongly suggests that Mary and Joseph had no one to assist them when Jesus was born. Jesus birth would not have been prior to 6 BC nor later than 4 BC. Dr. Bob Evans chose 4 BC while Dr. Hobbs was certain it was between 6 BC and 5 BC.

It was the best of times because there was enforced peace, a universal language, freedom of religion and a road system that simulated travel and the exchange of goods and ideas; a prosperous time.

It was the worst of times for the Jews were subject to Roman rule and heavy taxation. If a Roman military man chose, he could force a Jew to carry his equipment a mile, no matter how busy the Jew might be. Jesus would later suggest they carry it another mile to demonstrate their relationship to Christ. All Jews were subject to rough Roman justice. The thing that kept them going was their Messianic hope.

The Jews had despaired of a “golden age” by ordinary historical process. They looked to their God to intervene miraculously to deliver and establish Israel as His favored nation. This hope came to focus in the expectation of the Messiah by whom, they believed, God would save and bless the nation. To them the Messiah’s coming meant the doom of the world-order and the salvation only of the Jewish people and their friends. Men every where were sinful and needed God in their lives as Savior and Lord.

Such was the world Jesus entered at His birth in Bethlehem “in the fullness of time.” It was the most stupendous event in the history of man. “There is born a Savior.” In only two sentences (2 and 7) Luke narrates the most significant event in the history of mankind, the birth of Jesus. “While they were there,” he writes, “the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” Then with the simplicity of a great literary artist, he describes the birth of our Lord. “And she brought forth her firstborn son.”

Over 650 years before the prophet Micah, in Micah 5:2 had written that this Man to be born in Bethlehem “shall be great unto the ends of the earth.” Yet at his birth, because there was no place in the inn, He was born in a stable, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a manger by his virgin, teen-age mother. His was truly a lowly birth .

When Jesus came He passed the court, the palace, the dwelling place and the inn. He was born into the world so low down that no baby can ever be born lower. Jesus was not born in a barn because God was unable to provide a better place but that no one on earth could ever say they were born too lowly to ever achieve. This portion of the Christmas story foreshadows Jesus’ entire earthly ministry. Later he would say, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

The infancy of Jesus occupies little space in the Gospels; only two of the four have anything at all, and these give only glimpses of the Holy Child. To only Luke and Matthew we are indebted for such information as we have.

Luke’s reference to Mary’s firstborn son, written long after the event, suggests that there were other children born to Mary and Joseph. Four brothers are named---James, Joses, Judah, and Simeon—and there were sisters mentioned without giving either their names or number.

Luke concludes Vs. 7 with “because there was no room in the inn.” Their exclusion from the inn was not due to any lack of hospitality; much less did it express hostility to Jesus; it was due simply to the crowded condition of the town, due to the required registration.

3. PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 8-14

The account of the shepherds is not mentioned in Matthew’s Gospel. It is generally agreed that in all probability, these were the temple shepherds watching flocks destined for sacrifice. Even though King David had been a shepherd and had even written about God as a shepherd in the 23^rd Psalm, the more rigorous Jews, such as the Pharisees, looked down on the shepherds. Yet God chose to publicly announce the good news of Jesus’ birth first, not to governors and rulers, but to the lowliest on the social scale of N.T. Palestine---the shepherds.

Martin Luther comments: “He (the angel) does not simply say, Christ is born, but to you He is born”; neither does he say, “I bring good tidings, but to you I bring good tidings of great joy.” Furthermore, this joy was not to remain in them, but it was to be to all people.

To the lowly, the needy He came. To those who needed Him most. To those filled with fear (the shepherds were “sore afraid.”), He came, and this was the good tidings. “For unto you is born this day---a Savior---the Messiah! The Christ! Jesus did not suddenly become Savior on the cross; He was born Savior at Bethlehem! “He was born, not to make a holiday, but to save the world.”

In Vs. 11 “Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word for Messiah. Both words mean “anointed One.” The Messiah was to be God’s anointed bringer of salvation. “Lord” is used in the Septuagint or Greek version of the O.T. to translate the word (Yahweh), God ‘s covenant name. The one born was to be known as “Lord Messiah” or “Messiah Yahweh.” As Acts 2: 36 puts it, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Christmas should be a time for praise. And this message of the occasion should be seen not only as an event in ancient history, but one with an abiding and blessed message for all history and for every person. If the Lord’s people do not keep Christ in Christmas, the world can hardly be expected to do so. This is, therefore, a most opportune time for sharing the good news of salvation.

Before the shepherds had a chance to speak a word, the heavenly host of angels burst into song. It is the immortal “Gloria in Excelsus”, the glory song. Glory to God in the highest. That is the meaning of the coming of this Child. That is the meaning of this Savior, Christ, Lord. Glory to God in the highest. That phrase, “in the highest,” does not mean in the highest degree. It means above. It is a word descriptive of heaven, the dwelling place of God.

Some think Christ was born to bring peace miraculously. That is not so. He has been with us over two thousand years, and peace it not yet. For peace comes not by way of miracles, not by divine fiat of God, but through Christian suffering and witness. We have badly misinterpreted the words,” ----and on earth peace, good will toward men.” This does not mean that peace will come through any shallow sentimental “good will” expressed only at Christmas; it will come through the efforts of men “in whom God is well pleased”—through men who will give up all to follow Him and do His will. God has good will toward all men, but men must return it in kind, and love all men every day, and in every situation, as Christ loved them.

Men have “prayed” for peace too often in a manner of which they should be ashamed. They have asked for a miracle while refusing to love as God and Christ asked them to love. They have talked blithely about Christ being the hope of the world, the Prince of Peace—while they gave more to war in one day than they gave to the churches in a year! Caesar is still here; we still give him much that belongs to God. Peace will never come until the allegiance of men is shifted to God. Peace will never come through unregenerate, unsaved men.

4. PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 15-20

I like the simplicity of the shepherd’s faith. They did not say, “Let us go and see if this thing has come to pass.” Instead, they said, “Let us go and see this thing which has come to pass. They were persuaded even before they saw. They hastened and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in the manger; and when they had seen it they made known the saying which was told them concerning this child. The first evangelists of the new age were these simple shepherds who went out saying, “H has come,” and “We have seen Him. He was born in Bethlehem. We saw him there lying in a manger.” They went forth proclaiming the advent of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, and all they that heard it wondered at these things which were told them by the shepherds.

The going of the shepherds from the manger was as important as their coming, for they were bearers of the good news, once they had seen the Child. They went back to their own place, after their night of splendor. The shepherds “returned.”

After the splendor of Christmas day, we all go back to life as it has always been. We have given and received our gifts….but how few of us take Christ back with us! How few “make known abroad” the deep spiritual meaning which Christmas holds for us on His natal day! How many of us fail to take His gleam into the gray days, once the golden day has passed?

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God…They did this because they knew what had happened! A Savior had Come---their Savior. After all the long dark years of travail and expectancy and continued waiting, the weary world at last had its savior. . The central fact in today’s lesson is found in Vs. 11. “Unto you is born this day a Savior.” This was the most stupendous event in all the history of man.

Dr. Joseph Baxter of London wrote ,“The world did not want an ADVISOR. The world had advised itself almost into hell. The world did not ask for a SPECULATOR. Everything that man could do had been done, and men sat down in the darkness of their own wisdom. The world did not want a REFORMER, a man who could change his outward and transient relations, an ENGINEER who would continually devote his time, (for appropriate remuneration) to the readjustment of the wheels and the pulleys and the various other mechanical forces of society. The world wanted a Savior.

SAVIOR is a pathetic name. It is not an official title; it is not an image you could robe in scarlet, and bow down before on account of its majesty and haughtiness. “Savior” is an angel with tears in his eyes; with arms mighty as the lightenings of God, but a heart all tenderness. “Savior” is a complex word. It has in it all the human nature, all divine nature, all the past of history, all the possibility of prophecy, all the mystery of apocalypse, the tenderness out vying the love of women, the majesty humbling the haughtiness of kings.”

That kind of Savior the world wanted; that kind of Savior the world got. And the shepherds knew it, and thanked God.

Two thirds of the earth will have no Christmas this year because they know nothing about it. Although the Christian church has celebrated Christmas for more than 1800 years—observance beginning in the second century—there still remain vast areas where not even the name of the Christ Child has yet penetrated. More than one billion people have never heard the Christmas story even once.

They are no better off than if Christ had never come—unless we tell them this glorious story. They are as lost as the people were upon the day before Jesus was born. They are as hopeless as people were then. If they have ever heard of God at all, He has been revealed to them as their Father. They do not know the glorious certainty of the resurrection, and they lay their dead away without hope or with a false hope. If they have heard of God at all, they do not know that He loves them so much that He gave His only Son that they might have eternal life. Oh, the world needs a savior even as it did then.

The feelings of the Son of God when He was down here was; “they did not want Him.” He had come to save men, and they did not want to be saved. He had come to lift men up, and they did not want to be lifted up. There was no room for Him in this world then, and there is no room for Him now. The only place there was room for Him was on the cross.

Yet man’s nature is completed only when he knows Christ. How many millions of people walk the streets of our cities, who have no joy, no hope, and no fellowship with God. The shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem experienced something that day more satisfying and abiding than even the most learned professors in a university could ever know apart from the Lord Jesus Christ.

And even the “Christian” world has not fully accepted Him;. The principles He taught, which long ago would have brought all the world to salvation and to peace, we have neglected or ignored. His command to take this Gospel to all the world, we have failed to obey. And the result is that after over two thousand years, the world still needs a Savior. God did His part. When will we do ours? 2 Cor. 5:21 says “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

It is not enough to prepare our home and our pantry for Christmas. “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

NEXT SUNDAY WE WILL LOOK AT THE BEST KNOW VERSE IN THE BIBLE, JOHN 3:16 AND ITS EXPLANATION IN 1 JOHN 3: 11-24. The question is “What do you love about Christmas? A.V. DAUGHERTY 12-16-01

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