The Message of Missions - Luke 2:8-12, 16-18, 25-32 - December 21, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – The Message of Missions – December 21, 2008

This is our third lesson in our series entitled “A Heart for Missions.”

Our scripture is Luke 2:8-12, 16-18, 25-32.

But before I get into the lesson I want to share with you that on this day fifty (50) years ago I married the most wonderful woman on earth. What a joy it has been to journey with her through all these years which seem like only yesterday - Four (4) children and so far nine (9) grandchildren. What unspeakable joy and what a mystery that she put up with me for all these years. But I know her secret. It is the love of GOD in her. She has agape love that can only come from CHRIST in her. It is because of her unfailing love for me that I have the opportunity to serve the LORD. She is truly a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, helpmate and my best friend who I love dearly.

Our theme for this month is missions. We studied last week that the word “Go” in the Great Commission means as you go, minister. When GOD calls believers to share the Good News, HE intends for them to be open to the needs of people all around them as they are preparing to go or on their way to the place GOD has called them. Believers are called to be alert to opportunities all around as they live their daily lives and encounter others, both believers and non-believers. All people have needs and if we have something that will help someone else, a kind word, a smile, a loving hug, a word of encouragement, the Good News, empathy, a listening ear, wise counsel and the list goes on and on, GOD will use us, if we allow HIM.

The LORD laid upon my heart that HIS message to us, as believers, is to respond when we are prompted by HIM. Opportunity often comes in a split second or time specific. We will see in our scripture that GOD allowed circumstances to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem because the Old Testament scriptures foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

Were Mary and Joseph aware of this prophesy? Likely not. GOD knew it and this fact was vital to fulfill GOD’S Word regarding the Messiah. Therefore, Mary and Joseph were at the right place at the right time. Sometimes GOD places us in the right place at the right time. It is only in retrospect that we realize that GOD’S hand was directing our lives.

The shepherds had a choice whether or not to respond to the message delivered by the angel. Simeon was prompted to go to the temple to see the Messiah that he had been looking for most of his life. Simeon had a choice. At that moment Simeon may have questioned the prompting to go to the temple that day. Was it a prompting from GOD or just a notion? Simeon made the decision to go to the temple.

When GOD prompts us, will we respond? If the shepherds or Simeon, who we will study today, had not responded, they would have missed a wondrous blessing.

Let’s read Luke 2:8-12:

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before[5] Or Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.[6] Lit they feared a great fear 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 today a Savior, who is • Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

The setting is Bethlehem. Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David. It was called the city of David but the name Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” Bethlehem is just a few miles from Jerusalem and was the place where the sheep used for sacrifice were kept. We find in the Old Testament, Micah 5:2:

2 [2] Mc 5:1 in Hb Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me.[3] 2 Ch 7:18; Isa 11:1; Mt 2:6 His origin[4] Lit His going out is from antiquity, from eternity.[5]
Or from ancient times

1 Samuel 17:12:

12 Now David was the son of the Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah named Jesse. Jesse had eight sons, and during Saul’s reign was [already]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. an old man.

GOD’S plans are carried out in detail. GOD orchestrated the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This was a journey of about seventy (70) miles. Mary and Joseph both were descendants of David and both had to go to Bethlehem to register for tax purposes. Little did they know it was all part of GOD’S plan to fulfill the scriptures. They had no choice but to go.

There are times GOD places believers in the right spot at the right time to be part of HIS plans.

You would think, since it was part of GOD’S plan, HE would have made reservations for Mary and Joseph at the nicest Inn in Bethlehem. GOD could have but HE wanted HIS SON to be born under humble circumstances, so that every person would feel free to approach HIM. JESUS was not born as an earthly king or in a king’s palace.
But JESUS was born in a stable, wrapped in common cloth and laid in a feeding trough.

The shepherds were staying in the field. This indicates that the shepherds took turns caring for and guarding the sheep. They were tending sheep which were likely to be used for sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem. It is fitting that those caring for the sheep intended for sacrifice would also be the first to receive the message that the Messiah had been born. The Messiah would be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Therefore, when HE gave HIS life, to pay for the sins of mankind, it terminated the need to sacrifice sheep. Of course, that would mean those in the sheep business would have to raise or tend sheep for a different purpose. I can hear those who were raising sheep for sacrifice lobbying for the practice not to end - “Even if you become a Christian be sure to sacrifice a sheep because you never know.” Sometimes our livelihood can shape our beliefs.

The shepherds were doing what shepherds do when all of a sudden an angel appeared to them with a message. First, the angel has to put them at ease. Having an angel appear to a person usually meant GOD’S judgment was about to come down upon them. So the angel tells them not to be afraid. Then the angel gives them the message.

Shepherds were the least likely group of people for GOD to have the angel to announce the birth of HIS SON. Shepherds were looked upon as thieves and were social outcasts. But GOD chose shepherds over other people groups to show that JESUS was for all people from the social outcasts to royalty.

GOD is no respecter of where a person comes from but where he or she can go, if he or she gives his or her life to HIM.

The angel told the shepherds how they could identify this special baby.

It is likely that other babies were born that night but finding a new born in a stable, lying in a feeding trough was special and helped to narrow the search.

The shepherds had a choice. They could have thought they had been sleep deprived and dreamed that an angel spoke to them or it was that bad mutton Levi had cooked for dinner or bad wine in those dried out wine skins. However, they chose to go and in doing so confirmed what the angel had told them. What a joy when you see that you have had an encounter with GOD.

This is a message to believers and non-believers today. When GOD prompts us, how do we respond? I can hear some say, “Well if GOD sent an angel, I would do what the angel told me!” That is good. GOD works within the hearts and minds of people today by urging them to be obedient to HIM. For non-believers, HE is urging them to accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR. HE is urging believers to get to know HIM through a deeper relationship, to be obedient to HIM and serve HIM.

There is nothing wrong with checking out what GOD reveals to us. The shepherds went to see if what they had been told was accurate. Once confirmed they were excited and told others of their encounter. GOD wants us to tells others when we encounter HIM and HE reveals truth.

Let’s read Luke 2:16-18:

16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing [them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things[10] Lit these words in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

The shepherds did not waste any time. They hurried off and confirmed what they had been told. After they confirmed the facts, they went about the area telling others of their experience. All who heard what the shepherds saw were amazed.
The word “amazed” carries more than the idea of experiencing an emotional moment when they heard this exciting story but it has a deeper meaning. It means they pondered or took what was said deep into their hearts and minds to think about what they had been told.

Likely the people had heard the coming of the Messiah discussed at the local synagogue or temple. When the people heard the message, how did they respond? They were “amazed” but being “amazed” does not equal faith. Being “amazed” can lead to faith. Did they go and see this new born and recognize HIM as the Messiah? We do not know. They had the opportunity to go.

When GOD places a message of truth in our hearts and minds, do we respond? Do we confirm it by responding and checking it with the truth in the scriptures? Again, there is nothing wrong with confirming the truth. But actively seek the truth and once the message is confirmed, then respond as GOD leads you.

The shepherds returned to their work and reported to their fellow shepherds that they had confirmed what they had seen and heard. Were these shepherds the first evangelists? Did their shepherd friends accept this new born as the Messiah? Did the shepherds who went relieve the shepherds that stayed to let them go see this special new born? We do not know.

Did those around Bethlehem who heard what the shepherds said go to see this new born? If so, what did they expect to see?

We have to be careful about the assumptions we make when we hear messages about people having extraordinary experiences or encounters. Did some go to visit the new born and expect HIM to glow in the dark? Instead they may have found a normal looking baby wrapped in common cloth, in a stinky stable and crying because HE needed a diaper change. They may have concluded this baby was a normal baby therefore nothing special. Our notions can keep us from experiencing GOD and building an intimate loving relationship with HIM. Again, there is nothing wrong with questioning or having notions as long as we seek the truth to confirm or deny them through the study of HIS WORD and prayer.

A careful study of the scripture, available at that time by the religious leaders, would have confirmed that this baby had all the potential to be the promised Messiah. Preconceived notions or prejudice can rob us of truth.

Let’s read Luke 2:25-35:

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation,[16] The coming of the Messiah with His salvation for the nation; Lk 2:26,30; Isaiah 40:1; 61:2 and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered[17] Lit And in the Spirit, he came into the the • temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said: 29 Now, Master, You can dismiss Your • slave in peace, according to Your word. 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation. 31 You have prepared [it]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles[18] Or the nations [19] Isaiah 42:6; 49:6,9 and glory to Your people Israel.[20] Isaiah 46:13 LXX 33 His father and mother[21] Other mss read But Joseph and His mother were amazed at what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed[22] Or spoken against — 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts[23] Or schemes of many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:25-35 is a fast forward from the birth of JESUS to forty (40) days after HIS birth. But first let’s consider what had already happened.

JESUS was circumcised on the eighth day as GOD had directed Abraham about 2,000 years earlier for male babies.

Joseph and Mary went back to the temple forty (40) days after the birth of JESUS. Verses 21-24 in Luke 2 fill in some details which lead into our scripture:

21 When the eight days were completed for His circumcision, He was named JESUS—the name given by the angel before He was conceived.[11] Or conceived in the womb 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male[12] Lit “Every male that opens a womb will be dedicated[13] Lit be called holy to the Lord[14] Ex 13:2,12 ) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons[15] Lv 5:11; 12:8 ).

In Exodus 13:1-2 GOD required that the firstborn male be presented to HIM:

1 The Lord spoke to Moses: 2 “Consecrate every firstborn male to Me, the firstborn from every womb among the Israelites, both man and animal; it is Mine.”[1] Lk 2:23

Later, GOD chose the tribe of Levi as HIS special servants. The parents of the firstborn male could redeem him from service to the GOD by paying five shekels.

There is no evidence that Mary and Joseph paid the five shekel ransom to redeem JESUS, therefore, it is concluded that JESUS was dedicated to GOD to serve HIM. Of course, JESUS came to earth to be obedient to GOD, HIS FATHER. The fact that Mary and Joseph did not pay the five shekels to redeem HIM revealed their heart.

The focus of our scripture is on Simeon. Simeon was a devout man and apparently up in age. He had been looking for and praying for the coming of the Messiah. On this special day the LORD prompted Simeon to go to the temple.

Again, Simeon had a choice. Had he gone to the temple other times to no avail? We do not know. But the day and the moment Mary and Joseph brought JESUS to the temple was the day the HOLY SPIRIT prompted Simeon to go to the temple. Timing is critical. Simeon was obedient and responded when prompted.

That is the key point. Opportunity usually opens up within a short time frame. If Simeon had procrastinated, he would have missed the moment he had been looking for, praying for and anticipating for years. He didn’t procrastinate and was rewarded for his faithfulness. GOD had confirmed in his heart that he would not see death until he saw the LORD’S Messiah.

How did Mary and Joseph respond to Simeon? Today, if an old man took our firstborn and went on about our baby, we would likely think he was off his rocker. But Mary and Joseph took in differently. They had already witnessed a number of confirmations that their baby was special. The scripture used the word “amazed.” This means they took what was happening into their hearts and pondered the moment. It was another confirmation that JESUS was truly GOD’S SON.

Simeon passed a word of prophesy onto Mary and she hid these things in her heart.

Is JESUS real to you? When JESUS is real to you, as a believer, then you can share HIM with others. Seek to know HIM and learn from HIM.