SS12-21-03
“WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” LUKE 2:4-38.
LUKE 2: 4-5, 6-7, 27-32, 33-35, 36-38.
PLEASE OPEN YOUR BIBLE TO LUKE 2.
Christmas is such a busy and hectic time that we may have difficulty remembering the true meaning of Christmas and how to celebrate it appropriately. While the focus on family, gifts, and friends can be good, could we Christians celebrate the birth of Christ in ways that more fully bring honor to Him? After all, Christmas provides believers with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the greatest Christmas present ever given-“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
How can a believer make celebrating Jesus’ birth a spiritual experience in the midst of other Christmas activities such as office parties, church organizational parties, family gatherings, and giving and receiving gifts? The focus of this two-lesson study theme, “Born to Save”, is on Jesus birth. The theme of this study is on the good news that Jesus was born to save us from our sins.
Because God’s purpose in sending His Son is redemptive, perhaps we celebrate Christmas best by giving sacrificially to support missionaries and by telling our unchurched friends who Jesus really is and what His birth can mean to them.
For many people Christmas is only a secular holiday. It means time off from work; it consists of parties and presents. Those who see some religious meaning in Christmas often restrict it to a baby in a manager scene. The two lessons in the study theme, “Born to Save,” challenge us to look back to the manger to the preexistent Word of God and to look forward from the manger to the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Savior of the world.
Today’s lesson, ‘What Child is This?” includes the familiar story of Jesus birth in Luke 2:4-7, but it also focuses on the less familiar prophecies of Simeon and Anna in Vs. 27-38. Simeon predicted that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul. This shows that the Child born to the Virgin Mary was destined to die for the sins of the world.
Next Sunday’s lesson, “Life in the Son,” is based on the prologue to John’s Gospel. John 1:1-18 reveals that the birth of Jesus was not the beginning of the Son of God. He is the Word of God who was in the beginning, who was with God, and who is God. What happened at Bethlehem was that the eternal Word became flesh and dwelt on earth during His lifetime.
Today, when we view the Baby in the manger, we need to look back to the eternal Word of God who became the God-man when He was born to the Virgin Mary. And we need to look beyond the manger to the cross—and even beyond that. The manger is empty. The cross also is empty. The tomb is empty.
In Matt. 1:21 God told Mary and Joseph to name the child Jesus, which means “Savior.” The angel told the shepherds in Luke 2: 11 that Jesus was the Savior, Christ the Lord. He was truly “Born to Save.”
Lesson one in this study theme is designed to help us demonstrate our belief in Christ’s uniqueness through our celebration of Christmas. Next Sunday we will see how to find and enjoy true life by faith in Christ.
PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 4-5.
Luke was precise in his historical documentation of the timing of Jesus’ birth. He also provides details about the birth of Jesus and its significance, not found elsewhere.
Luke’s narrative explains that Jesus Christ is unique because of His virgin birth. Joseph was the man to whom Mary was engaged. He was descended from David, worked as a carpenter in Nazareth, and was Jesus’ legal or foster father. When God assured Joseph that Mary’s pregnancy was an act of God, he did not put her away but accepted God’s plan for both of them.
Mary was a humble Jewish girl from Nazareth who was probably a young teenager when she conceived Jesus. She was a relative of Elizabeth who gave birth to John the Baptist six months before Jesus was born. Many scholars believe that Mary was a descendant of David just as her husband Joseph was.
Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, which was a small village in Galilee in Jesus’ day. Joseph and Mary made the journey of 85to 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem because Joseph was of the house and family of David. He had to register in Bethlehem because it was the home of his ancestor David.
In Luke 2: 1-3 Luke explained the reason Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, where the Messiah was to be born, when Jesus was born. A decree from Caesar Augustus demanded that individuals return to their ancestral homes for the purpose of registering for taxation. That ancestral home was Bethlehem for Joseph and Mary.
When Caesar Augustus, first emperor of the Roman Empire, issued a taxation decree, he had no idea that the hand of God was guiding him. The O.T. in Micah 5:2 predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, where David was born. Caesar’s decree brought them to Bethlehem at just the right time for Jesus to be born there.
The city of David is a name normally usually used to refer to Jerusalem; the City David made the capital of his kingdom. Here, however, the term describes Bethlehem in the sense of being David’s ancestral home. Bethlehem was a significant city in Hebrew history. However it is Jesus birth there that gives Bethlehem its primary historic significance.
Because Bethlehem is more than 700 ft. higher than Nazareth, Joseph when up to the town; geographically, of course, he traveled south. The trip was roughly 90 miles. This must have been quite an ordeal for a pregnant woman such as Mary. Then why did Mary go?
One reason may have been that she was legally required to go because she was a descendant of David and women were also required to register for taxation.
Even if Mary were not legally required to go, there were other reasons to go. Only she and Joseph had been told by the angel the unique circumstances of the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. When the Lord revealed this to Joseph, Matt. 1:18-19 says he had been considering divorcing Mary or legally breaking their engagement.
In the first century, a Jewish engagement was the first of two distinct steps in marriage. The father sought a wife for his son by speaking to the father of the prospective wife. The son was consulted about the prospective girl more than the girl was consulted. If there was an agreement, the father of the boy paid a purchase price to the bride’s father for his daughter. A written formal, and legal agreement was signed, and the boy and girl were pledged to be married. The engagement could only be broken through divorce. Matthew says in 1:25 that Joseph and Mary did not have sexual relations before Jesus was born.
The angel told Joseph to marry Mary, which he did, although they did not consummate the marriage until after the birth of Jesus. From that time on, Joseph became Mary’s protector and shield against what people would say about a virgin becoming pregnant. If Mary had remained in Nazareth, she would have been vulnerable to slander and gossip.
Espoused wife or pledged to be married is the same word used in Luke 1:27, which states that Mary was only engage but not married to Joseph. Why would Luke use the same word to describe their status on the trip to Bethlehem? They had not yet consummated their marriage may explain why Luke continued to use the word espoused. Joseph and Mary were husband and wife, but not yet in the fullest sense. They would not have been traveling together unless they were married. In Matt. 1: 24, the author recorded that Joseph had taken his wife home, meaning that they had been formally married in Nazareth, Then in Vs. 25 Matthew had made crystal clear, though, that Joseph did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. The Gospels leave no doubt that Jesus was born of a virgin.
Another factor as to why Mary went to Bethlehem with Joseph may have been that Mary and Joseph were considering the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 6-7.
In these two short verses Luke gave an unadorned account of the birth of the world’s Savior. Clearly, Luke’s focus was not on the details of the birth, but on the fact of the birth. What made this birth unique and so significant was that Jesus; God’s Redeemer had been born.
While Joseph and Mary were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby. This may have a double meaning. On the one hand, it refers to the normal time for birth to follow conception. On the other hand, it may refer to the fact that Jesus was born in what Gal. 4:4 calls “the fullness of the time.” That is, He was born according to God’s time schedule. Thus God had used he emperor’s decree to bring Mary to the right place at the right time.
The actual birth is mentioned in Vs. 7: “She brought forth her first-born son.” Jesus was born of a virgin. He was miraculously conceived in Mary but He grew within her womb and was born as other babies are. Some people claim that a virgin birth could not have happened. Such people deny miracles by rejecting the possibility of miracles. Those of us who believe in miracles of creation and resurrection should have no trouble with the miraculous way that God chose to send His Son into the world.
Mary and Joseph had children of their own after Jesus was born. Jesus was God’s only Son, but not Mary’s. Mary had other sons and daughters.
When Jesus was born Mary wrapped Him snugly in swaddling clothes, as was the custom. Natal care of the time attempted to keep the arms and legs straight. These baby clothes consisted of a square of cloth with a long bandage like strip coming diagonally off from one corner. The child was first wrapped in the square of cloth, and then the long strip was wound round and round about him. Luke seems to have indicated that Mary herself wrapped the baby. Such would indicate a lonely birth event. Neither family members nor a midwife was available to assist Mary and Joseph in this process.
The circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus met none of the world’s expectations for the birth of the Messiah. Jesus was not born in a palace or placed in a crib made of precious materials. He was born in the most humble of places because there was no room for them in the inn. Perhaps the inn was a caravan stop, an unroofed, enclosed place that provided a measure of protection for travelers and their animals. Some of these had rooms built around the enclosure.
The population explosion in Bethlehem had forced Joseph and Mary to seek shelter in a place not normally inhabited by people. The first cradle to receive the Savior of the world was a manger, a feeding trough for animals. The trough indicates that the place where Jesus was born was used to stable animals. It could have been a rough shelter or an open pen. The use of caves for stables also was common. Today, a traveler to Bethlehem can see such a cave by visiting the Church of the Nativity. Luke explained simply that no suitable place was available for Mary’s delivery. In this most humble of all places, the Redeemer of the world was born. Every thing about the birth points to poverty and even rejection.
The innkeeper provided the place, a fire for cooking, and food for the traveler’s animals. The traveler provided his own food. It seems that the inn was full because of the registration—the same reason Joseph and Mary were there.
The fact that there was no room for them in the inn often is interpreted to mean that the innkeeper callously turned away the weary travelers. This may be true, but the text does not mention an innkeeper. It could be that an innkeeper offered them the only shelter that was available. All we know for sure is that by the time Joseph and Mary arrived, there were no desirable accommodations available. Whether it was a stable, a cave, or part of a house, Mary and Joseph found refuge there. And in such a humble setting, Jesus was born. What contrast this was to the royal palaces in which kings usually were born.
In the focal passage for this lesson, in Luke 2:27 and in Vs. 33 Joseph and Mary are called the “parents” and “father and mother” of Jesus. These verses do not deny the important doctrine of Jesus’ virgin birth. These verses record how the angel Gabriel told the virgin girl Mary who was engaged to be married that she would conceive and then give birth to a son whom she was to name Jesus. Mary asked how could this happen since she was a virgin. Gabriel said that God’s Holy Spirit would form that child, who would be the holy Son of God. Jesus was the virgin-born Son of God, the firstborn of Mary, and the legal son of Joseph. Jesus is unique because of His virgin birth.
Luke 2: 8-20 tells of the angel’s announcement to the shepherds and of their response. Luke wrote that the angels initially announced the birth of Jesus to people on the lowest rung of the social and economic ladder. They did not make the announcement to academic, political, military, economic, or even religious leaders, but to shepherds.
A heavenly host joined the angel and praised God for the birth of a Savior who was Christ the Lord. When the shepherds visited Mary, they told her all that the angel had told them about who and what her child was.
Shepherds were common people and often were over looked and sometimes despised. According to the Talmud, shepherds were considered unreliable and not allowed to give testimony in the courts. The angelic message being give to shepherds seems to imply that God sent His Son to provide salvation for everyone. Society in general may ignore some individuals or classes of people, but God’s love leaves no one out. Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Let us joyfully celebrate that good news and do all we can to spread it around the world.
Jesus, Mary, and Jesus made the short trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to carry out the Law’s requirements related to childbirth as given in Lev. 12. Because Joseph and Mary wee godly people, hey observed the law faithfully. Their obedience is seen in their observance of three ancient ceremonies when Jesus was born: circumcision, the redemption of the firstborn, and he purification after childbirth.
When Jesus was eight days old, his parents had him circumcised. At that time, he was given the name, “Jesus.” In the second ceremony in vs. 22, each firstborn male, who belonged to the Lord, was purchased back from the Lord. In the third ceremony in Luke 2:22, 24 Mary presented an offering to regain her ceremonial purification after giving birth. Normally, the offering was a lamb. The poor could offer two young pigeons, which Mary offered because she and Joseph were poor. Lev. 12: 8 says, “If her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.”
PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 27-32.
Vs. 25-26 introduce Simeon. He was a just and devout man whom God had promised that he would live to see the Messiah. Luke calls Simeon “righteous and devout.” “Righteous” probably describes his relationship to his fellow man and “devout” his relationship to God. The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. He was one of those deeply religious persons who were “looking forward to Israel’s consolation.
He believed that God was going to send someone who would redeem His people Israel and comfort them by forgiving their sins and delivering them from their enemies. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he saw this Deliverer who was the “Lord’s Messiah.” “Messiah” is the O.T. term for the One whom God would send to be the Savior, and “Christ” is the N.T. term. Both refer to the fact that God would choose, anoint, and send the One who would be the Savior.
Obviously, Simeon was led by the Spirit in all things. The Spirit led him to be in the temple at just the right time to encounter Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Simeon was there when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the Law. The parents were Mary and Joseph. This must be understood in light of the earlier emphasis on the virgin birth. Jesus was not the biological son of Joseph, but Joseph was the man whom God had chosen to act as Jesus father. Thus Luke sometimes used the human way of describing Mary and Joseph, knowing that the fact of Jesus unique conception was already established.
The temple was not the inner sanctuary but one of the outer courts of the temple complex. The temple was a huge place, and Simeon easily could have failed to notice the baby being dedicated. However, he was looking for God to keep His promise, so he looked carefully at this child. And the Spirit revealed Jesus to be the Messiah. Simeon took…him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. In Vs. 29 the word “dismiss” probably refers to being dismissed from the mission of seeing and announcing the Messiah. He may have been saying that he was now ready to die because he had seen Jesus. “Lord, I am your servant, and now I can die in peace, because you have kept your promise to me.”
Those who interpret Simeon’s words this way think that this shows that Simeon was an old man. Another interpretation is not that he said he was ready to die but that he now could be discharged from his faithful vigil in waiting to see the Messiah. Peace refers to the comfort of knowing that the messiah had come. “According to thy word” refers to God’s earlier promise that Simeon would see the Messiah. When Simeon saw Christ he said, “I have seen thy salvation.” If we would ever see God’s salvation we must see the Lord Jesus Christ.
I wonder how many of us are waiting for His second coming as eagerly as Simeon waited for His first coming?
Both Mary and Joseph were told to name the child “Jesus,” for “he shall save his people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21) Simeon saw that Jesus came not only for His Jewish people but also for all people.
With verses such as Isaiah 42:6 in mind, Simeon said that Jesus would be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. This universal scope of the mission of Jesus is a strong theme in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. This is another verse that reminds believers of the importance of missionary work in seeing that all people hear the good news of salvation.
PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 33-35.
Although Mary and Joseph knew intimate facts about the uniqueness of Jesus, they marveled at those things, which were spoken of Him. Why were they amazed by what Simeon said? They already knew Jesus was the Son of God. Perhaps they were amazed that others knew so much about Jesus. Perhaps it was the enlarged mission of Jesus that amazed them. If what Simeon said in vs. 30-31 disturbed Mary and Joseph, how much more amazed they must have been by what he said in Vs. 34-35.
Simeon had blessed God in vs. 28; now in vs. 34 he blessed Mary and Joseph. And then he spoke directly unto Mary and revealed to her the special destiny her baby faced, “This child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel.” The birth of Jesus introduced a crisis that would divide the nation and, eventually, the world. Individuals who accept Jesus as their Savior receive eternal life and ultimately will rise to walk in the light of God in heaven, while those who reject Him will fall into the eternal darkness of hell.
Providing for the redemption of Gentiles and Israelites would be costly. Jesus would be an unmistakable sign pointing to God. Many in Israel had their own idea about God, however, and they would reject Jesus as being from God, both by speaking and by acting against Him. The opposition to Jesus and His execution were being prophesied to Mary when Jesus was but an infant. Those who reject and oppose Jesus reveal what is in their own hearts. They have made a choice based on their own will and desires. They do not love God, but love this world and are determined to have their own way. (John 3: 19-21)
Phillips translation has: “This child is destined…to set up a standard which many will attack.” Many people love darkness rather than light, and they will speak evil of Jesus and reject Him.
Mary learned here that her Son would encounter opposition and rejection. This is the first negative note in the biblical account of the birth of Jesus.
The most disturbing prophecy of Simeon was in his words to Mary: “a sword shall pass through thy own soul.” This was a prediction of a personal painful experience for Mary. Some Bible students understand this to refer to times when Mary had trouble understanding and accepting Jesus’ mission.
The most widely accepted interpretation is that Simeon was predicting Mary’s pain when Jesus would be crucified. According to John 19: 25 Mary was there. Perhaps both interpretations go together. Mary was no doubt disturbed by Jesus’ understanding of His mission as that of the Suffering Servant, but her heart must have broken by His actual suffering. Hershel Hobbs commented: “Mary did not know the meaning of these words then. But the day would come when their stern reality would break upon her, as she saw her first-born nailed to a cross.”
One purpose of Jesus coming and of His death was that the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed. A likely meaning is that the coming of Jesus forces each person to make a decision for or against Jesus. He came to bring salvation, but those who reject Jesus bring judgment upon themselves. “Who is this child?” He is the Son of God…God in the flesh…God incarnate.
5, PLEASE READ LUKE 2: 36-38.
In these verses Luke introduced another person who was in the temple at the same time as Simeon, Mary, Joseph and Jesus. She also recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Anna was a prophetess. Anna’s role is significant because there had been no prophetic announcement in Israel for hundreds of years. Anna was one through whom God spoke in a special way. Identifying her by her father and tribe is an indication of Luke’s historical thoroughness and accuracy, In light of vs. 38; her prayers must have included petitions for the coming of the Messiah. Like Simeon she had been waiting and watching for His coming. This points to Anna’s personal ministry to the Lord that involved no one but herself. This reveals her personal dedication.
Anna spoke to those in the Temple, but she continued to tell of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. That is, she witnessed to all who were looking for Israel’s Messiah, and Anna’s wording refers to the same salvation of which Simeon spoke.
Under Jewish law, the testimony of two witnesses was needed to confirm a fact. Anna’s testimony was added to that of Simeon’s. These two godly people both declared that Jesus was the Savior and Messiah.
While many Israelites had lost their Messianic expectation, Simeon and Anna both longed for the coming of the Messiah, Anna knew of some who, like Simeon, were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, She immediately sought them out to tell that the Redeemer of the world at last had been born.
So, what child is this? Simeon and Anna both knew. Simeon and Anna both knew that this child was unique and fulfilled all the messianic expectations. Modern Christians know too, “What Child is this?” This is the child who provides redemption to all people everywhere who will make a faith commitment to Him. Let us give witness to our faith in Him by honoring Him in our celebration of Christmas.
NEXT SUNDAY FROM JOHN 1: 1-18 WE FIND THAT TRUE LIFE IS FOUND ONLY BY FAITH IN CHRIST. A.V. DAUGHERTY http://theweeks.org/av/ 12-21-03