Our Savior Is Born
Luke 2:1-10
Obviously Jesus was around long before the verses we will consider tonight. We read in John’s gospel that “In the beginning was the Word” We see pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus throughout the Old Testament. We see Him in the Law and hear of Him through the prophets.
But tonight I want to examine that period when He left the glory of Heaven and came to accomplish the Father’s will. In doing so, we must begin at ….well …the beginning! So let's consider:
I. The Birth Of Our Savior From The Parent’s Perspective
In the previous chapter we read that God sent the Angel Gabriel to a virgin named Mary. Mary was espoused to a man named Joseph, Gabriel said to Mary, “you are highly favored, the Lord is with you: you are blessed among women.
Mary was afraid but the Angel comforted her and said “Fear not, Mary: for you have found favour with God.” - v29 He goes on to say in - v31 and, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
He explained that the Holy Ghost would come upon her and overshadow her. Mary submits to God’s will and says “Behold the handmaid of the Lord” This situation may have been glorious for Mary, but very confusing for Joseph. We read in Matthew 1:18 that “before Joseph & Mary came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”. We read that Joseph was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. And explained that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We read in verse 24 that Joseph obeyed and “took unto him his wife”
This brings us to chapter 2:- Luke 2:1 ¶And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife
This decree that was sent out demanded that each Hebrew citizen be counted from the town of his/her birth. As a result, Joseph journeyed to Bethlehem - v5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
This is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy that he would be born in Bethlehem. - Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Mary gives birth to the Savior & “wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn” Luke 2:7 - The rejection of the innkeeper was a sign of things to come for Jesus!
1) There was no room in the inn.
2) We read in John 1:11 that He came unto His own and they did not receive Him (the Jews rejection)
3) He was rejected by the Pharisees & the Sadducees
4) He was rejected throughout His earthly ministry
5) He was rejected by one of His own (Judas)
6) He was rejected by the crowd (Give us Barabbas)
7) He was rejected by Pontus Pilate
8) He was rejected by the man on the cross next to Him
9) He has been rejected since His resurrection & ascension
10) He is still being rejected today!
One day all who have rejected Him will grasp the fact that JESUS CHRIST IS THE SINLESS ON OF GOD & THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!
II. The Birth Of Our Savior From The Angel’s Perspective - Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
An angel comes and delivers “good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people” - What are good tidings? Good tidings - (euaggelizō) (yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo) {G} - to announce good news. “evangelize”
…What is this good news? - Look to verse 11 “unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.This verse fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah - Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Notice the Three Titles given to Jesus in verse11:
1) Savior – Deliverer, this speaks of Jesus as a Sacrifice.
2) Christ – The anointed one, the promised Messiah and Son of God. (this proves Him to be the fulfillment of all of the prophecies.
3) Lord – One to be served, worshipped and adored.
He is not called prophet, teacher, good role model, but LORD! We must see Him as just that and worship and serve Him as LORD!! The Savior was born … HE BROUGHT SALVATION …HE WAS/IS SALVATION! He brought deliverance from our sins! That is good tidings of great joy! THAT IS THE GREATEST NEWS OF ALL TIME!!
This angel pointed the way to Jesus - v12 and this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.That is our job as Christians today; we are called to point people to Jesus. - v13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
This angel is joined by a host of angels and they joined in together and praised their creator. The birth of Christ provided us Peace with God and peace within. - John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
III. The Birth Of Our Savior From The Shepherds’ Perspective v15-18 - These Shepherds delivered a message of peace.Shepherds were social outcasts; they had a dirty, unpopular, undesirable job. I don’t know about you but I am glad that Jesus came for the outcasts!! - Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
A. Notice The Willingness Of The Shepherds - v15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
They were willing to trust the message that had been delivered to them. They immediately followed the direction that they were given by the Angel.Have you obeyed the direction/call you have received?
B. Notice The Witness Of The Shepherds - v17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Just like the Angel, the Shepherds spread the good news of Jesus Christ.
Abroad – {G} (Peri) (per-ee) properly through (all over)
They told everyone they came in contact with about Jesus. And they all “wondered at those things”
C.. Notice The Worship From The Shepherds - v20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Consider this: The shepherd’s circumstances had not changed, they were still shepherds, and they still had a dirty undesirable job. They were still social outcasts. The Shepards returned to their daily life but they returned different. They returned changed forever. And as a result they glorified and praised God.
When we are saved we do not immediately become rich, happy, healthy and immune to problems. Though our circumstances have not changed, our hearts have. Like the shepherds we can return to daily life glorifying and praising God.
We may look at the “Christmas” story and think that we have heard it all. Regardless of how many times we read it ...it still shows the amazing love of our God! It documents the greatest gift that has ever been supplied to mankind. When man fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, God promised that one day a redeemer would come. This Redeemer would come as the Savior of sinners. Throughout the Old Testament, God worked to bring this event to pass. Every sacrifice, every ritual of Jewish worship, every thing God did was moving toward the day when the Lamb of God would enter this world and pay the price to save men from their sins.This chapter shows us that the Father’s promise was fulfilled.
The fact that God would send His Son to die for sinners is beyond comprehension! Why He would love so much is beyond my ability to describe.If you know Him praise His Holy name!!
If you don’t know Him …God sent Him to die for you! You can meet Him right now! Make things right today!
