Change the World - Focus on Jesus - Luke 2 - December 19, 2010

Bible Study – Change the World – Focus on Jesus – December 19, 2010

This lesson three (3) in our series entitles “Change the World.”
Our scripture is Luke 2: 1-38.


Our lesson this week focuses on the birth of JESUS. First, we need to address the question, “Is Christmas really the birthday of JESUS?” The answer is, “Most likely December 25 is not the actual birthday of JESUS.” December 25 was the birthday of a pagan sun-god Mithra. The pagans celebrated from December 17-25. The Roman pagans converted this practice to worship of the god Saturn which included gift-giving, singing, etc. The pagan priests carried evergreen boughs to various temples in Rome during this celebration. They celebrated Saturnalia from December 17-25.


About 336 A. D., the Emperor Constantine likely converted this pagan practice into a Christian holiday. CHRIST was likely born in the spring or fall. The shepherds were keeping the sheep in the pasture. Unless it was an abnormally warm winter, sheep would have been kept inside during the winter months. But whether CHRIST was born on December 25 or some other day, the important thing is that HE was born.


Does this diminish the birthday of CHRIST? NO!!! HE was born and HIS birth was prophesied about 750 – 687 years before HE was born. The Prophet Micah stated in Micah 5:2 - 2 [2] Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me.[3]His origin[4] is from antiquity, from eternity.[5]


Bethlehem means “House of Bread” and was located about five (5) miles south of Jerusalem. JESUS is the Bread of Life and born in the House of Bread. It is likely that the sheep the shepherds were watching were for sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem.


GOD’S timing is always exciting and exact. GOD had to get Mary to Bethlehem for HIS SON to be born in Bethlehem. How GOD got her from Nazareth to Bethlehem is revealed in Luke 2:1-7: The Birth of Jesus


1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus[1] that the whole empire[2] should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while[3] Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was • engaged to him[4] and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the inn.

Mary and Joseph were both of the house and family line of David. They had to register by decree. Often, GOD uses the government to unknowingly get HIS will accomplished. While they were in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to JESUS. Because of the required registration, there were likely many people in the area, thus no room in the Inn. They were offered the place where the animals were kept, which was likely a cave type structure. It was as clean as an animal shelter could be. Mary gave birth to JESUS and HE was placed in a manger, which was a feeding trough. This was also the place where the first born animal was placed which was to be sacrificed to GOD.

JESUS, the first born of Mary, was placed in a manger and wrapped in swaddling cloth. Some relate swaddling cloth to grave clothes. JESUS was born to die to pay the sin debt for all who would believe in HIM.

Let’s read Luke 2:8-16: 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] them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.[6] 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.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors![7] [8] [9]15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.

In verse 8, we learn that shepherds were “staying” in the fields and watching over their sheep. This was an indication that the season of the year was not winter thus an indication that December was not likely the month JESUS was born.

Verse 8 refers to “shepherds.” At that time, Shepherds were thought of by society as thieves and social outcasts. Shepherding, in the early days, was considered an honorable profession. Isn’t it interesting that GOD uses the least likely to be involved in HIS plans. That is an encouragement to many of us regardless of how society views our earthly status. GOD often uses the least likely to accomplish HIS plan and purpose.

The angel of the LORD stood before them and the glory of the LORD shone around them and they were afraid. The angel of the LORD was accompanied by a bright light. This was an unmistakable event that many, if not all the shepherds witnessed. There was an unmistakable voice and an unmistakable light to get the shepherds attention.


The angel put their minds at ease by telling them not to be afraid. The angel needed for them to stay calm so they could listen and comprehend the message.


Notice that JESUS is the SAVIOR, the promised Messiah for all people. HE was just born in the City of David, Bethlehem.


The angel told them how they could find the new born baby, the promised Messiah – The new born will be wrapped in cloth lying in a feeding trough. That was better than having a GPS. This message from the angel was immediately reinforced by a sudden appearance of a multitude of heavenly hosts along with the angel praising GOD. Notice, they were saying and not singing, 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors![7] [8] [9]


Once the angel and the heavenly hosts had left, the shepherds responded to what they had been told. They went and found this new born baby, just as the angel had told them. When GOD reveals truth to Christians and they respond, they confirm the truth which has been revealed. They were the first to see and rejoice in the birth of the promised Messiah, JESUS.


Once they confirmed this major event which was promised by GOD through HIS prophets over hundreds of years, what did they do with this Good News? Let’s find out in our next scripture. This is major news!!!


Let’s read Luke 2:17-20:


17 After seeing [them]* , 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] 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 could not contain the Good News and had to tell it to others who were amazed. Mary treasured what had happened to the shepherds in her heart and meditated on them. What had happened to the shepherds confirmed to her and Joseph that this child born to them was truly GOD’S SON.


Mary and Joseph remained in Jerusalem so that JESUS could participate in the religious rites. JESUS had to be named, dedicated to GOD, circumcised and an offering made to GOD.


Let’s read Luke 2:21-32: The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus


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] 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] will be dedicated[13]to the Lord[14]) 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]).


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] 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] 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]* in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles[18] [19]and glory to Your people Israel.[20]


Simeon had been waiting a long time to see the promised Messiah. Some think Simeon was a priest but the important point to me is that GOD had promised him that he would see the promised Messiah before he died. This was the day. Timing again is vital when serving the LORD. Simeon had to respond to the prompting of the HOLY SPIRIT the day that Mary and Joseph took JESUS to the temple. He may have not felt good that day and wanted to stay home but he went and was blessed by GOD.


Often, Satan uses our feelings to discourage Christians from receiving blessings. I do not know whether or not Simeon had any problems that day but knowing how circumstances go at times, it would not surprise me. The important thing is that Simeon went to the temple that day and encountered the promised Messiah. Do we miss a blessing by not responding to the promptings of the HOLY SPIRIT?


Let’s read Luke 2:33-38:
33 His father and mother[21] 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]— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts[23] of many hearts may be revealed.”


Anna’s Testimony
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years,[24] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,[25] 37 and was a widow for 84 years.[26] She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment,[27] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.[28] [29]


Simeon blessed them and gave them a message regarding JESUS. Mary was amazed. Did she comprehend all that was being said? Likely not but she knew that JESUS was special. I recommend an interesting book “The Jesus You Can’t Ignore” written by Dr. John MacArthur, Published in Nashville, TN, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. JESUS either had to compromise HIS message or teach the truth. HE chose to be obedient to HIS FATHER and teach the truth. This angered the religious leaders, which resulted in HIM being sentenced to death. But HIS death was HIS mission. Mary had to deal with the good and bad times of HIS ministry which culminated in HIS cruel death upon the cross. But all became clear after HIS resurrection and indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT.


Simeon told them that JESUS would:
- Be destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. This can be interpreted several different ways. Likely referring to the failure of people who heard HIS message and rejected it, thus falling and those who responded positively to HIS message rose to salvation.


- Be a sign that will be opposed. The use of the word “sign” carries the idea of a target. Like an archer has a target to shoot at. JESUS was a target the religious leaders took aim at to defeat since HE would not see things their way.


- A sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. This carries over from the idea of CHRIST being a target and snide remarks culminating with the actual piercing of HIS side with a spear while HE hung on the cross.


This was a lot for Mary and Joseph to comprehend for their new born baby.


Then Mary and Joseph encountered the prophetess, Anna. She was about 104-107 years old because she had been widowed for 84 years. Let’s say she was married at the age of 13-16. She was married for 7 years. This made her 20-23 years old when her husband died plus the 84 years would make her 104-107 years old. She lived at the temple. She like Simeon recognized JESUS and spoke about HIM being the redemption of Jerusalem.


The question we must ask ourselves, “What do we see in JESUS?” Is HE our SAVIOR and LORD, a prophet who lived during that period or someone who had serious delusions of grandeur? Bible knowledge will lead a person to one or more of these conclusions. Heart knowledge will confirm that HE IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rejoice for HE has risen and lives. Christmas was HIS birth but it was HIS death that broke the barrier of sin and allows all who believe in HIM salvation from sin and eternal death. It is HIS gift to all who believe. Ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and for HIM to come into your life. Receive the best gift anyone can receive.