Bible Study - Gift - Rejoice in God's Gift - Luke 2 - December 25, 2011
Bible Study – Gift – Rejoice in God’s Gift – December 25, 2011
This is our final lesson in our series entitled “God’s Greatest Gift.”
Our scripture is Luke 2:1-20.
In our last lesson, we studied the response of the wise men to the birth of JESUS. They were Gentiles and advisors to kings. They did not see JESUS until HE was between one and two years old. They gave HIM expensive gifts. They returned home confirming the birth of JESUS. Did they tell others about this Good News, we do not know but they had beheld GOD incarnate? This week, we study the response of the shepherds to the birth of JESUS, who were Jews, not considered high on the social calendar and poor. When you consider the contrast between the wise men and the shepherds you see that JESUS came to earth to give HIS life for all people regardless of their nationality, race or status.
As mentioned in our last study, December 25 is not the actual birthday of JESUS. Copied below is what I wrote about the birthday of JESUS in the December 19, 2010 lesson:
Our lesson this week focuses on the birth of JESUS. First, we need to address the question, “Is Christmas really the birthday of JESUS?” It is most likely not. December 25 was the birthday of a pagan sun-god Mithra, which 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., it is thought that the Emperor Constantine converted this pagan practice into a Christian holiday.
CHRIST was likely born in the spring or fall because the shepherds were keeping the sheep in the pasture at night. 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 and HE is GOD incarnate.
What does perplex me is that without Christians celebrating Christmas much of commerce would be in deep trouble. It is tempting to show the world what would happen if Christians did not buy Christmas presents one year. I don’t think it would take long before manufacturers and purveyors of goods would promote everyone greeting each other with “Merry Christmas.” We as Christians must stand our ground or else the world will continue to compromise our stand for us. This is not to say ram Christianity down the throat of others. That is not the right approach. Every person must choose of his/her own freewill to accept CHRIST as his/her Savior.
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 was born in the city of David called 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 there. Mary’s hometown was Nazareth, which was ninety (90) miles from Bethlehem and somewhat uphill (Note verse 4 in the scripture below.). It was about a four (4) day journey.
How GOD got her from Nazareth to Bethlehem was normal and 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.
Joseph was of the house and family line of David. Luke 3:23-38 gives a family line for Joseph but Bible scholars believe it was actually the family line of Mary. They believe that Mary was still alive and Doctor Luke, not being prejudiced against women, recorded her family line back to Adam. In verse 23, it states that Heli was the father of Joseph, but Bible scholars think Heli was Joseph’s father-in-law. This is something for you to ponder and pray about.
The point being, they had to register by decree in Bethlehem. Often, GOD uses various events in ordinary life to accomplish HIS will. 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. This could mean that there was no suitable place inside the Inn for her to birth a baby. They were offered the place where the animals were kept, which was likely a cave type structure. It was where the animals were kept but it was clean, provided shelter and suitable for birthing a baby. Mary gave birth to JESUS and HE was placed in a manger or feeding trough. The feeding trough 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 feeding trough and wrapped in swaddling cloth. Some relate swaddling cloth to grave clothes but they were also used to wrap babies. JESUS was born to die to pay the sin debt for all who would believe in HIM. Mary gave birth and nearby another event was taking place, which would confirm to both Mary and particularly Joseph that the baby Mary had just birthed was truly GOD’S SON.
Let’s read Luke 2:8-14:
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 them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.[6] Lit 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] Other mss read [8] Or [9]
In verse 8, we learn that shepherds were “staying” in the fields and watching over their sheep at night. 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 angelic form, 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. GOD is no respecter of persons. JESUS came to earth and gave HIS life for all who would believe in HIM. When HE was born in the City of David, Bethlehem the angel could not hold the Good News any longer. WOW, what a message the angel had for all of mankind.
The angel told them how they could find the new born baby, the promised Messiah – The new born child would 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, Verse 14 - Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors![7] [8] [9]
Peace comes when we accept JESUS as our Savior. Once we are reconciled to GOD through JESUS, Christians have the peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace that results in the abundant life that JESUS spoke about for those who accept HIM as their Savior. Those GOD favors are those who earnestly seek HIM and respond when they find HIM through their relationship with JESUS. GOD’S desire is for no person to be lost and go to Hell. HE appeals to the hearts of every person and uses HIS power to lead the lost to have a loving, intimate relationship with HIM through JESUS.
Do you know JESUS as your Savior? If not, now is the moment to ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life. The instant you make that decision, HE will come into your life and you will be born into the family of GOD, never to leave HIS family regardless of what you do. Just getting fire insurance is not where it is. Living for JESUS is not easy but it is the most exciting thing you will ever do as HE leads and guides your life through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The shepherds had witnessed a marvelous event. But was it true? GOD tells us to test all things to determine if they are true. Verifying truth is no problem with GOD but do it in conjunction with HIM.
I used to think about testing GOD and tell HIM to do this or that and came to the conclusion that whatever I asked how could I be certain that what I asked was not going to happen anyway? I searched for many years until one day on my way to work, I asked CHRIST to take my life as it was, the good and the bad, and to give me the strength to live the Christian life. BAM!!! In the twinkling of the eye HE took my life and it has been an awesome journey since. It has not been easy and there have been many stumbles along the way but one thing has been certain, I belong to GOD through my relationship with CHRIST.
Let’s read Luke 2: 15-17:
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. 17 After seeing [them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , they reported the message they were told about this child,
Once the angel and the heavenly hosts had left, the shepherds responded to what they had been told. They knew that the news came from GOD. They went to check it out 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 revealed truth. 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? This is major news. Let’s find out in our next scripture.
Let’s read Luke 2:18-20:
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 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. Once we find JESUS, we must tell others the Good News. The shepherds were the first witnesses to others. They had a marvelous story to tell. The promised Messiah had been born.
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.
Do you treasure your relationship with JESUS? May this Christmas be a time to reflect on your relationship with HIM. It is not doing more but yielding more to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you as you obediently serve HIM.
Merry Christmas and blessings to all!
posted by Bible Study | 9:59 AM
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