Title: A Savior is Born
Bible Book: Luke 2 : 1-20
Author: Jay Vineyard
Subject: Christmas, Jesus' Birth, Mary and Joseph
Objective:
Introduction
Christmas, without a doubt, is the most celebrate and longed-for day in America. No other day receives the attention and build-up as does Christmas.
We are constantly reminded of the approaching of Christmas. The advertisers begin in September reminding us that we have 115 shopping days until Christmas. Our malls are decorated with ornaments by November 1.
We are reminded that Christmas is approaching after the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” has been shown ten times in black and white and six times in color. At the same time, we certainly cannot get into the Christmas spirit unless we have watched at least four different versions of Charles Dickenson’s “Christmas Carol”. And, let us not forget my all time favorite, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
We are reminded that Christmas is approaching when our stress level rises beyond tolerance. We find ourselves stressed by having to shop in malls filled with other anxiety-ridden people. We are stressed by the pressure of wondering how we are going to pay for all of the gifts that we need to purchase. We are stressed by trying to figure out what to buy for people who already have everything. We are stressed by the number of places and gatherings we must attend. All the while, we are reminded by advertisers, “Only four more shopping days!”
The tragedy of it all is that we have lost the meaning of Christmas. If anything, Christmas has been perverted by greed. We are told that the meaning of Christmas is giving and receiving gifts. That is not the meaning of Christmas. The meaning of Christmas is found in the passages before us.
In Luke 2:10-11, we find the meaning of Christmas. (Read passage) The meaning of Christmas is Christ. For it is on this day the Savior is born. If the cause of our celebration is anything else but a celebration of Jesus, then, certainly, we will find ourselves impoverished.
I want us to look at this text together. Particularly, I want us to look at some of the important people and events found in these passages.
I. The Political Scene
In verse 1, it states, “that, in those days”. What sort of days were they? Politically, it was a day of intrigue and power. For the first time, all the inhabited world had been conquered and was under the rule of Rome and had to submit to their rule.
The emperor at that time was Caesar Augustus. His real name was Caius Octavius. He was the great nephew of Julius Caesar. The word “Augustus” is significant for it was his title. He took the name “Caesar” by courtesy and adoption. When this man became Imperator, he chose “Augustus” because it indicated a religious sanction. He was moving toward a claim of deity on the part of the supreme ruler.
On the throne in Judea was Herod. He was under the rule of Augustus. Due to the political climate, he felt constantly threatened. He was a positive influence of the economy and restored the Temple. But, he would do anything to remain in power. If he felt threatened by an individual, he would have them executed, which he did to two of his sons. This tells us why Herod felt so threatened that he had thousands of children executed on the announcement of the birth of Christ.
Certainly, it was a time when the world was bludgeoned into submission so that no man or woman dare peep or utter a word. It was a time when the people anticipated a leader and conqueror to rise up and deliver them.
II. The Two Obscure People
In the turbulent Mid-East, there were two people, a man and a woman; only two individuals among the multitudes. These two individuals had no more effect on Caesar than any two of us have upon the President. They were entirely insignificant, and yet touched by the Roman authority. They were two individuals going to Nazareth. The woman carried the Son of God.
Things are not often what they seem, especially if we could climb high enough to see things from heaven’s perspective. They were going up to Bethlehem because Caesar had, at that psychic moment, issued his edict.
The Bible tells us that he did not act independently, because 600 years previous, there had been a prophecy concerning Jesus’ birth. The point is that, here was a man who saw himself about all of God’s people and thought that he had free course to do as he pleased. Yet, behind hid decision, it was God who moved him to accomplish His divine will. God will use anyone to accomplish what He wants.
I don’t know if Joseph and Mary understood what was going on. It would seem almost cruel for them to have to make this trip. I am sure there had to be doubts and questions. For, after all, was God really in control? Why did they have to endure this rugged and difficult trip? Yet, behind it all was God.
Then, they arrived in the city of Bethlehem. Due to the decree, there was not room for them to give birth to the Son of God. The inn spoken of here is not a nice motel, which we would expect. Kataluma is an enclosure; just walls into which travelers might drive their cattle for the night, and some apartments in which they might rest.
As a consequence, the Savior was born in a barn. All along the way, God was in control.
What a lesson we need to learn here! Sometimes we seem to find ourselves being swept along in the events of the world. We begin to sound fatalistic. God is in control. There is no one beyond Him. He is involved in the circumstances of life to accomplish His will.
Another fact that impresses me is that He was not born into a prominent family. In human wisdom, we would think that God would give Jesus a family of means. Send him to a family that could afford the best education; one that would have prominence and position. We would think that such things would be a tremendous asset to the ministry of Jesus.
Yet, we look at this couple, and what we find is that they are poor. They are without position and power. They seem to have so little to offer Jesus...or did they?
The reason that the Lord selected them was because they were Godly. Joseph is described as a righteous man. Mary is said to have found favor in the eyes of God. While they might now have had much to offer materially, they were rich spiritually.
Some of you parents need to learn this! The attitude of many parents is that they want to give their children what they did not have. As a consequence, parents work long hours. They seek to have material wealth, as if it will make them better parents. The children, in turn, will be better off. That is the lie of the day. The greatest gift you can give is a spiritual legacy. No greater gift can be given than a godly mom or a godly father.
III. The Shepherds
At the same time, in the fields not far from Bethlehem, were shepherds. They were the social outcast of the day. The Jews looked upon them with anger and distrust.
Is it not interesting that they did not appear to Caesar or Herod, or in the temple with the religious leadership? Yet, it was to these social outcast that the first proclamation of Jesus’ birth was pronounced. Why?
It was an indication of the fact that Jesus was not establishing a faith for the upper strata or intelligentsia. He came for all people, regardless of race or social standing. Jesus is for all people.
They were probably the only ones who would be open to the message. If you have not heard from the Lord, maybe you are not open to the message.
IV. The Message
A Savior! The implication is that they were in some type of bondage and in imminent danger. They were looking for a savior to rescue them from Roman occupation and restore the land to prominence; to remove all hardships.
We often look for a savior like that; one who will take away all hardships, stop social oppression and heal all sickness.
The salvation is to a greater enemy which is sin. Jesus came and confronted all the sin of the world with authority based upon the redeeming power. That is what our salvation is founded upon.
Based upon salvation is peace. Men everywhere are talking about and trying to produce peace. Peace is not the absence of war. Rather, it is an inner state.
It refers to that of “wholeness”. It is grounded in God’s word of redemption. It is an inner serenity which belongs to those who, through
Conclusion
Christ, have made their peace with God.
Joy is the cause of celebration, which is the birth and coming of Jesus. I wonder, is your happiness this season based on outward things, or the coming of Jesus. Joy is an inward state not based on happenings.
It all started in an obscure village, with an obscure people. God help us not to pervert this day.
